What is the primary use of Southern Blot in forensic analysis?

The primary use of Southern Blot in forensic analysis is identifying specific DNA sequences for fingerprinting. This technique involves the transfer of DNA fragments from an agarose gel onto a membrane, where they can be hybridized with labeled probes that bind to specific sequences of interest. In forensic science, this allows investigators to compare DNA samples from crime scenes with those from suspects or victims, enabling the identification and matching of genetic material.

The Southern Blot is particularly valuable for generating DNA profiles through techniques such as Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, which takes advantage of variations in DNA sequence length that are unique to individuals. This capability is crucial in forensic cases to establish links between biological evidence and individuals, thus playing a fundamental role in criminal investigations and legal proceedings.

The other methods mentioned, such as RNA transcript identification, protein quantification, and disease diagnosis, pertain to different molecular biology techniques (like Northern blotting and ELISA, respectively) and do not utilize the DNA-specific capabilities of the Southern Blot, which are essential for the purpose of forensic DNA fingerprinting.