If red blood cells, do not have nuclei, how do forensic specialists conduct DNA fingerprinting?
The red blood cells (RBCs) contain haemoglobin and carry oxygen throughout the body, but it is true that they lack the DNA-containing nuclei found in all other cells. Fortunately for forensic scientists, blood is made up of more that just RBCs. Blood also contains plasma, the liquid portion, and platelets, which facilitate blood clotting. The only useful components of blood for forensic scientists, though, are the white blood cells. A single drop of blood from a healthy individual contains anywhere from 7000 to 25 000 white blood cells. These cells help defend the body from infection. Unlike RBCs, white blood cells do contain nuclei and the informative molecule inside, DNA. DNA is a double-helix shaped molecule which contains all the encoded instructions for the body to grow, function, and reproduce. This code is unique for every individual (except between identical twins). DNA fingerprinting is a laboratory technique that forensic scientists use to distinguish one person’s DNA from an
