We were presented with the murder of Captain Cornball and given evidence from the crime scene in order to solve the case. The evidence we recovered included a hair sample, a fingerprint, a DNA sequence, a blood sample, DNA color fingerprinting, karyotyping, and a pen ink sample. For the hair sample, we looked at several different samples including wool, dog hair, and human hair, and then matched the sample to the one found at crime scene and found it to be human hair. For the fingerprint, we took the fingerprint found at the crime scene and then looked at it under a fluorescent light to identify who it belonged to. For the DNA sequencing, we just matched the ones found at the crime scene to those of the suspects. For the blood samples we tested each blood sample in order to discover what type of blood it was. Once we had the blood type of all the suspects, we then matched the correct blood type of one of the suspects to the one found at the scene of the crime. For the DNA color pattern, we used PCR and then later compared the results of the suspects to the ones found at the crime scene. For the karyotyping we looked at each of the suspect's chromosomes to look for any chromosome disorders. For the pen ink sample, we compared three different pens (chromatography) from the suspects and then compared the ink samples to the one that wrote a threatening note to the victim.
During this project I learned about genetics, inheritance, chromosomal disorders, and DNA fingerprinting/sequence/forensic science. I learned how certain traits can be passed down through family lines through inheritance. I learned how genetics worked and what makes them unique. I also learned about chromosomal disorders and how the chromosomes are impacted. For example, one of our suspects had triple X syndrome, which means she had three x chromosomes instead of two. This disorder caused her to have behavioral problems. I also learned about diseases such as Huntingtons and Marfans. I also learned quite a bit about forensic science and how it works. I was able to learn how fingerprinting works and how to identify different DNA sequences.
There were many good things about this project. One thing I liked was that I was exposed to all types of forensic science techniques. For example, we learned how to fingerprint and karyotype. I also liked that this was a different kind of project compared to ones we've completed in the past. I'm positive I've never been about to solve a murder in class, and that was a really interesting new experience. One thing I wonder is if we were given more evidence, could we have solved the crime more efficiently?
Here is a link to the slideshow on our final presentation:
During this project I learned about genetics, inheritance, chromosomal disorders, and DNA fingerprinting/sequence/forensic science. I learned how certain traits can be passed down through family lines through inheritance. I learned how genetics worked and what makes them unique. I also learned about chromosomal disorders and how the chromosomes are impacted. For example, one of our suspects had triple X syndrome, which means she had three x chromosomes instead of two. This disorder caused her to have behavioral problems. I also learned about diseases such as Huntingtons and Marfans. I also learned quite a bit about forensic science and how it works. I was able to learn how fingerprinting works and how to identify different DNA sequences.
There were many good things about this project. One thing I liked was that I was exposed to all types of forensic science techniques. For example, we learned how to fingerprint and karyotype. I also liked that this was a different kind of project compared to ones we've completed in the past. I'm positive I've never been about to solve a murder in class, and that was a really interesting new experience. One thing I wonder is if we were given more evidence, could we have solved the crime more efficiently?
Here is a link to the slideshow on our final presentation: