Murder Investigation
This project used forensic science and biotechnology techniques to investigate a murder. We were given pieces of evidence from the crime scene and did experiments and tests to determine who the killer was. The case we were investigating was the murder of Carelton Comet. There were five suspects: Fred Flimmer, Theresa Terra, Sam Sophomore, Glen Glee, and Nancy Normal. We were given DNA samples, fingerprints, blood samples, karyotypes and pedigrees from each suspect as well as samples that were found at the crime scene. We were also given pens belonging to each of the three suspects and a threatening note that was written by one of the pens. After all of our investigation, we determined that Nancy Normal was Carelton Comet's killer. We then presented our findings to a grand jury, who granted our warrant.
Below is a PDF of the presentation we gave to the grand jury.
Below is a PDF of the presentation we gave to the grand jury.
Concepts
Ink Chromatography- Exposing ink to a solvent so all its colors dissolve and separate. We used this to determine whose pen wrote the threatening note.
Karyotype- A picture of all of a person's chromosomes. We matched suspects' karyotypes to those at the crime scene.
Gel Electrophoresis- A method to separate DNA fragments by their size. The fragments show up as bands on a gel after the process has been completed. We used this to match the DNA of the suspects to the DNA at the crime scene.
Rf Factor- Used in ink chromatography; distance fro start to center of the spot divided by distance from start to end.
Blood type- The way blood is classified because of its antibodies and antigens. We used this to determine whose blood was found at the scene.
Pedigree- A chart of someones family history used to track genetic diseases. This was used to determine what genetic diseases the victim and suspects had.
First degree murder- An unlawful killing that is premeditated. This was the charge we accused Nancy Normal of.
Ink Chromatography- Exposing ink to a solvent so all its colors dissolve and separate. We used this to determine whose pen wrote the threatening note.
Karyotype- A picture of all of a person's chromosomes. We matched suspects' karyotypes to those at the crime scene.
Gel Electrophoresis- A method to separate DNA fragments by their size. The fragments show up as bands on a gel after the process has been completed. We used this to match the DNA of the suspects to the DNA at the crime scene.
Rf Factor- Used in ink chromatography; distance fro start to center of the spot divided by distance from start to end.
Blood type- The way blood is classified because of its antibodies and antigens. We used this to determine whose blood was found at the scene.
Pedigree- A chart of someones family history used to track genetic diseases. This was used to determine what genetic diseases the victim and suspects had.
First degree murder- An unlawful killing that is premeditated. This was the charge we accused Nancy Normal of.
Reflection
One thing that went well during this project was our experiments. They all worked, and we didn't have to repeat any of them because of errors. This shows that we were focused on what we were doing and how we were supposed to do it. Another thing that went well was the making of our presentation. We found it very easy to take the information we had written down in our notes and transfer it to a claim, evidence, reasoning format. One thing that didn't go so well was our teamwork. There was one group member in particular who didn't really help with the project, and that really hurt our efficiency. Another thing that didn't go very well was our time management. We didn't manage our time well during the first day of working on presentations, so we had a lot to do on the second day. From this project, I learned how to properly analyze data and how to use many parts of a biotech lab.
One thing that went well during this project was our experiments. They all worked, and we didn't have to repeat any of them because of errors. This shows that we were focused on what we were doing and how we were supposed to do it. Another thing that went well was the making of our presentation. We found it very easy to take the information we had written down in our notes and transfer it to a claim, evidence, reasoning format. One thing that didn't go so well was our teamwork. There was one group member in particular who didn't really help with the project, and that really hurt our efficiency. Another thing that didn't go very well was our time management. We didn't manage our time well during the first day of working on presentations, so we had a lot to do on the second day. From this project, I learned how to properly analyze data and how to use many parts of a biotech lab.