Murder Mystery:
For this project we were given information about a fictional murder. We had to do tests, and gather all the evidence we could to try and figure out who committed the crime, their motive, and present all the evidence that supports our conclusion. We came to our conclusion by doing many different kinds of tests involving evidence found at the crime scene.
For this project we were given information about a fictional murder. We had to do tests, and gather all the evidence we could to try and figure out who committed the crime, their motive, and present all the evidence that supports our conclusion. We came to our conclusion by doing many different kinds of tests involving evidence found at the crime scene.
How We Did It:
Karyotyping: We cut out the chromosomes from all the different suspects DNA and observed any unusual patterns or extra chromosomes. This helped us identify any diseases and abnormalities they might have had which could lead to motives, causes, or behavioral issues.
Pedigrees: We were given a list of the suspects and their family history. We then interpreted this information onto a separate piece paper, we were able to show all the connection and the diseases that may have been passed down through generations.
DNA Sequencing: We injected a different dye color representing the different suspect's DNA into an agar gel and passed electrical currency through it to determine the DNA patterns of each of the suspects. We did this to see if it was a match to the DNA found at the crime scene.
Chromatography: A mysterious note reading "U R A DEADMAN" was found at the crime scene. Multiple suspects owned pens so to find out whose pen wrote the note, we used a process called chromatography. We dotted a strip of paper with the ink from all the different pens and suspended them in a beaker of alcohol. The chemical reaction gave us a pattern that we could compare to the ink used to write the note found at the crime scene.
DNA Fingerprinting: There was a fingerprint found at the scene. To identify the fingerprint we looked at it under the microscope at 4x and 10x to determine if it was an arc, loop or whorl. We then dusted it with a brush a florescent powder and took a picture through the amber shield on the microlight. We lifted the print off the slide using sticky film, and then placed it onto our evidence report sheet. We then compared the print to all the other suspect's prints from the crime scene.
Blood Typing: To determine the blood type of the blood found at the crime scene, we tested samples of all the suspects. We put 5 drops of blood into a well and selected the antiserum- anti-A or anti-B. We added it into the well with the blood and mixed it around a little. If the blood reacted to the serum by getting clumpy, then it is that blood type.
Karyotyping: We cut out the chromosomes from all the different suspects DNA and observed any unusual patterns or extra chromosomes. This helped us identify any diseases and abnormalities they might have had which could lead to motives, causes, or behavioral issues.
Pedigrees: We were given a list of the suspects and their family history. We then interpreted this information onto a separate piece paper, we were able to show all the connection and the diseases that may have been passed down through generations.
DNA Sequencing: We injected a different dye color representing the different suspect's DNA into an agar gel and passed electrical currency through it to determine the DNA patterns of each of the suspects. We did this to see if it was a match to the DNA found at the crime scene.
Chromatography: A mysterious note reading "U R A DEADMAN" was found at the crime scene. Multiple suspects owned pens so to find out whose pen wrote the note, we used a process called chromatography. We dotted a strip of paper with the ink from all the different pens and suspended them in a beaker of alcohol. The chemical reaction gave us a pattern that we could compare to the ink used to write the note found at the crime scene.
DNA Fingerprinting: There was a fingerprint found at the scene. To identify the fingerprint we looked at it under the microscope at 4x and 10x to determine if it was an arc, loop or whorl. We then dusted it with a brush a florescent powder and took a picture through the amber shield on the microlight. We lifted the print off the slide using sticky film, and then placed it onto our evidence report sheet. We then compared the print to all the other suspect's prints from the crime scene.
Blood Typing: To determine the blood type of the blood found at the crime scene, we tested samples of all the suspects. We put 5 drops of blood into a well and selected the antiserum- anti-A or anti-B. We added it into the well with the blood and mixed it around a little. If the blood reacted to the serum by getting clumpy, then it is that blood type.
Things I Learned:
During this project I learned new interesting information. I learned about human genetics and how diseases can be passed down to offspring and the offspring is a potential carrier of the disease, but doesn't necessarily have the disease. I also learned how to detect genetic diseases when looking at the chromosomal patterns of people and being able to pick out abnormalities, such as an extra X chromosome, which would indicate Turner's Syndrome in females or diseases like down syndrome. I also learned how to examine a DNA fingerprint under a microscope and transfer it off the slide and many other cool forensic processes.
During this project I learned new interesting information. I learned about human genetics and how diseases can be passed down to offspring and the offspring is a potential carrier of the disease, but doesn't necessarily have the disease. I also learned how to detect genetic diseases when looking at the chromosomal patterns of people and being able to pick out abnormalities, such as an extra X chromosome, which would indicate Turner's Syndrome in females or diseases like down syndrome. I also learned how to examine a DNA fingerprint under a microscope and transfer it off the slide and many other cool forensic processes.
Reflection:
This project was a super interesting, fun, hands on experience. It was very cool to be given this kind of topic and resources to the point where we could really work like forensic scientists. One thing I liked about this project was all the tools we were given to use and observe evidence. For example, the fingerprinting dust, blood samples, and the DNA sequencing with agar gel. It was very cool to be able to work with all that advanced technology. Another thing I liked about this project is that we were given a lot of information on the suspects, had a whole crime outline, and a plot to follow so that we could use evidence to determine who we thought the killer was. I liked this because it really seemed real. Since we are students and not real forensic scientists (yet), I wonder that if there was a "correct answer" to who committed the crime and why, if it would have been more interesting for us to see if we did it right and accused the right suspect. In the long run though, I think this is one of the coolest projects I have ever done!