小卫星探针同时检测基因组内多个高变位点，形成多位点限制性片段长度图，具有超常个体特异性，Jeffreys称之为DNA指纹。DNA指纹图中每一片段的分离与传递遵守孟德尔遗传法则，子代的片段来自父、母双方。由于DNA指纹涉及多个位点，非父排除机会高，在亲权鉴定中极有实用价值。 Small satellite probes simultaneously detect multiple hypervariable loci in the genome, creating a multi-site restricted fragment length map with extraordinary individual specificity that Jeffreys calls DNA fingerprinting. Separation and transmission of each segment of DNA fingerprinting follows Mendelian rules of inheritance, and fragments of offspring come from both parents. Because DNA fingerprinting involves multiple sites, non-parent exclusion opportunities are of great practical value in parental identification.