What was the DNA profiling technique used to catch Colin Pitchfork?
TiTo has given a lot of useful background. However, PCR was not use in the Colin Pitchfork case and the DNA tests did not look at the the currently used STR (short tandem repeats). At the time, the tests used were based on Alec Jeffery’s analysis of length variation of certain DNA sequences. The regions of the DNA became known as VNTRs (variable number tandem repeats) and the technique used to examine these was called restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. It used restriction enzymes to cut the relevant regions of DNA . Multi-locus probes and aauto radiographywas used to detect the separated DNA after electrophoresis. The actual profiles were extremely complex and resembled bar codes. It was also the first time that mass screening was used.
