What procedure involves analyzing DNA fragments to identify whether they come from a specific individual?

The procedure that involves analyzing DNA fragments to identify whether they come from a specific individual is DNA profiling. This method compares the unique patterns in an individual's DNA, often by examining specific regions known as short tandem repeats (STRs). Each person has a distinct combination of STRs, which allows for accurate identification.

DNA profiling is widely used in forensic science for criminal investigations, where it can determine if a suspect's DNA matches DNA collected from a crime scene. It is also used in paternity testing and identifying biological relationships.

While DNA fingerprinting and DNA profiling are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably, DNA profiling is the more modern and widely accepted term describing the process and results of this type of analysis. Gene cloning and DNA sequencing, on the other hand, are methods focused on replicating genetic material and determining the nucleotide sequence of DNA, respectively, rather than identifying individuals.