Arrange the given steps of DNA fingerprinting in the sequence from initiation to end:

(A) Digestion of DNA by restriction endonuclease
(B) Isolation of DNA
(C) Hybridisation using labelled VNTR probe
(D) Transferring (blotting) of separated DNA fragments to synthetic membrane

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is (B), (A), (D), (C).

DNA fingerprinting is a molecular biology technique used to identify individuals by analyzing patterns in their DNA. The process follows a logical sequence of steps to extract, cut, separate, transfer, and identify specific DNA regions:
1. (B) Isolation of DNA: Before any analysis can begin, DNA must first be extracted and isolated from cells or tissue samples (such as blood, hair follicles, or skin). This is the essential first step.
2. (A) Digestion of DNA by restriction endonuclease: Once the DNA is isolated, it is treated with specific restriction enzymes (restriction endonucleases) that cut the DNA molecules at precise sequence sites into smaller fragments of varying lengths.
3. (D) Transferring (blotting) of separated DNA fragments to synthetic membrane: After digestion, the DNA fragments are separated by size using gel electrophoresis. Since gel is fragile, the separated double-stranded DNA fragments are denatured into single strands and transferred (blotted) onto a stable synthetic membrane, such as nylon or nitrocellulose sheet (Southern blotting).
4. (C) Hybridisation using labelled VNTR probe: The synthetic membrane is then exposed to radioactively or fluorescently labeled Variable Number Tandem Repeat (VNTR) probes. These probes hybridize (bind) specifically to complementary DNA sequences on the membrane, allowing them to be detected and visualized.

Therefore, the correct chronological sequence of DNA fingerprinting steps is (B) → (A) → (D) → (C).