Crime scene investigation: An exercise in generating and analyzing DNA evidence*

Abstract

AbstractThe goal of this project is to introduce students to molecular biology techniques using an experimental setting that inspires both scientific and personal interest. The project is designed as a small group apprenticeship for gifted high school juniors or seniors who can spend full time in a sponsor's laboratory for at least 1 week. The students begin by examining evidence from a mock crime scene that consists of hair samples from the crime scene and from five potential suspects. Students extract DNA from the hair samples and amplify a hypervariable region within the mitochondrial genome using the polymerase chain reaction. Amplified products are then sequenced and compared with the crime scene sequence using DNA alignment software. In consecutive projects, students from four different schools successfully identified the suspect who matched the crime scene evidence. This project is a valuable learning tool not only due to the comprehensive introduction to molecular biology techniques but also because it helps the students to connect scientific exploration with well publicized media events and provides a window into potential career opportunities in the field of molecular biology.