Researched
DNA fingerprinting
Alec Jeffreys found in 1984 that repeating stretches of DNA differ from person to person, giving forensics and paternity testing a genetic identifier.
Open in the interactive tree →His method was first used in 1985 in an immigration dispute and in 1986-87 to clear one suspect and convict another in the Enderby murders in England. PCR-based profiles later replaced it, and DNA databases now solve and overturn cases worldwide.