Purpose / Project
Our task was to identify the prime suspect in a murder case, similarly to how an actual forensic scientist would. We were given a story, very little back story, and evidence from the scene of the crime. Some ways that we analyzed the data was through ink chromatography (for the pens found at the scene), pedigrees, and blood analysis. Through our research, we concluded that Nancy Normal was our believed prime suspect.
Key Terms
Allele- Form of DNA sequence
Gene- Unit that decides what traits are passed down.
Phenotype- How the traits are expressed.
Genotype- Makeup of genes.
Karyotype- Amount of chromosomes in organism.
Homozygous- Same alleles
Heterozygous- Different types of alleles.
Dominant- Trait will always be expressed if present.
Co-Dominant- One is not dominant over the other so they are in a way "equal" (both make up phenotype).
Incomplete Dominant- A mix because neither are dominant.
Recessive- Needs to be homozygous to be expressed.
Loop- The result of incomplete dominance, it looks like a loop.
Whorl- The result of homozygous recessive, it looks like a whirl.
Arch- The result of homozygous dominance, it looks like an arch.
Blood Types- A, B, AB, and O. All come in negative or positive. A and B are Dominant, AB is Co-Dominant, and O is recessive.
Pedigree- A easy to interpret diagram of family history used to solve crimes and specifically determine motives.
DNA Fingerprinting- The act of comparing fingerprints to solve a crime through matching in DNA.
Fingerprinting- When one compares fingerprints. Humans have three different possible fingerprint patterns, but everyone has different tiny, tiny marks that make us different from others.
Ink Chromatography- The process in which ink is mixed with solvent to extract a more exact color of ink.
A Warrant- A document that legally allows police or other groups or people to search a suspect or person of interest's home or property. They are commonly used in homicide crimes and other crimes that involve suspects so that the police or a detective can gather more evidence against person or for the sake of the case.
Gene- Unit that decides what traits are passed down.
Phenotype- How the traits are expressed.
Genotype- Makeup of genes.
Karyotype- Amount of chromosomes in organism.
Homozygous- Same alleles
Heterozygous- Different types of alleles.
Dominant- Trait will always be expressed if present.
Co-Dominant- One is not dominant over the other so they are in a way "equal" (both make up phenotype).
Incomplete Dominant- A mix because neither are dominant.
Recessive- Needs to be homozygous to be expressed.
Loop- The result of incomplete dominance, it looks like a loop.
Whorl- The result of homozygous recessive, it looks like a whirl.
Arch- The result of homozygous dominance, it looks like an arch.
Blood Types- A, B, AB, and O. All come in negative or positive. A and B are Dominant, AB is Co-Dominant, and O is recessive.
Pedigree- A easy to interpret diagram of family history used to solve crimes and specifically determine motives.
DNA Fingerprinting- The act of comparing fingerprints to solve a crime through matching in DNA.
Fingerprinting- When one compares fingerprints. Humans have three different possible fingerprint patterns, but everyone has different tiny, tiny marks that make us different from others.
Ink Chromatography- The process in which ink is mixed with solvent to extract a more exact color of ink.
A Warrant- A document that legally allows police or other groups or people to search a suspect or person of interest's home or property. They are commonly used in homicide crimes and other crimes that involve suspects so that the police or a detective can gather more evidence against person or for the sake of the case.
Reflection
I thought this project went well and personally it was one of the least stressful and on task projects of the whole school year. I thought that we were given fair time to work on all aspects of the project and that when we did work we did so efficiently. I can't say that even one of my team members was off task during the time we were given and they all contributed great ideas and work to the general project goal. The only negatives that I feel should be included is our misunderstanding of the actually case story and details. During our presentation it was pointed out to us by peers and the judges that there bits and pieces that weren't fully correct. So in conclusion, everyone put in great effort and the project went well.