Final answer:
Sir Alec Jeffries is credited with mapping human genetic profiles using specific DNA markers in what became known as DNA fingerprinting in the mid-1980s, which transformed genetic relatedness studies and forensic science.
Step-by-step explanation:
The geneticist credited with mapping human genetic profiles through specific DNA markers, which subsequently became known as DNA fingerprinting, is Sir Alec Jeffries. This scientific breakthrough in the mid-1980s revolutionized fields such as forensic science, paternity testing, and biological relatedness studies. Generically, a genetic map is created using various genetic markers - regions on the chromosome that show variability among individuals.
It's worth mentioning that the development of genetic maps has a rich history, tracing back to the early 20th century with individuals like Alfred Sturtevant creating the first chromosome map. Furthermore, tools like restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP), variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs), and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are commonly used as genetic markers.