How are radioactive probes useful for DNA fingerprinting?

Radioactive probes are useful for DNA fingerprinting because they can bind specifically to complementary DNA sequences, allowing scientists to visualize the DNA fragments on an X-ray film. This helps in identifying unique DNA patterns and comparing them between individuals for forensic or paternity testing purposes. Additionally, radioactive probes are highly sensitive and can detect small amounts of DNA, making them a powerful tool for genetic analysis.