Which technique is preferred when investigators are trying to DNA fingerprint an individual?

A) short tandem repeat (STR)
B) polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
C) recombinant DNA (rDNA)
D) gene cloning
E) None of the answer choices is correct.

Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis is the preferred technique when DNA fingerprinting an individual because it is highly accurate, reproducible, and informative. STRs are short, repetitive DNA sequences that vary in length between individuals, making them useful for identifying unique genetic profiles. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to amplify STR regions for analysis. Recombinant DNA and gene cloning are not typically used in DNA fingerprinting.