What is a DNA fingerprint? Why is it important?

Its a technique used especially for identification (as for forensic purposes by extracting and identifying the base-pair pattern of an individual's DNA. Called also DNA typing, genetic fingerprinting.

Medically, ensuring the accuracy of a disease diagnosis is the most important reason for DNA testing, because many diseases can occur in a form that is difficult to recognize ... In a family in which a genetic disease is known to exist, DNA testing may be able to identify which relatives may get the disease.