With Jake Wheeler, Mateo Eusebio, Sebastian Orellana
Intro
For this project we were given a police report, small background information on each suspect, and evidence at the crime scene, including a fingerprint, two blood samples, and a note. We were asked to analyze the information and put together a case against one of the suspects. Given the results from dusting fingerprints, testing blood samples, family history information, and testing ink, we were able to make a case indicting Nancy Normal with first degree murder.
Elements of the Project
Fingerprints: A finger print was found on the murder weapon, a steak knife. The fingerprints of all of the suspects were taken and compared to the fingerprint found. The print on the knife matched perfectly with Nancy Normals loop to the left.
DNA Fingerprinting: We were able to extract DNA from the fingerprint found on the knife. Again, it was compared to the suspects, and again, it matched with Nancy Normal.
Blood Samples: Two blood samples were found on the knife. One was Carelton (Type O) and one was an unknown suspect (Type A). The blood types of the suspects were taken and both Nancy Normal and Theresa Terra.
Karyotypes: From the DNA we were able to determine what genetic disorder each suspect had. Carelton had XYY, and the unknown blood had XXX. The only suspect to match with XXX is Nancy Normal.
Pedigrees: We were given information on all of the suspects families and the disorders in every family. They showed that Nancy Normal had Huntington's disease, making her more susceptible to lashing out and committing a crime.
Ink Chromatography: There was a death threat found on the crime scene. To find out who wrote it, we separated the pigments of the ink of all of the suspect's pen to see whose matched the note. The results showed that a pen owned by both Nancy Normal and Sam Sophomore matched it.
Elements of the Project
Fingerprints: A finger print was found on the murder weapon, a steak knife. The fingerprints of all of the suspects were taken and compared to the fingerprint found. The print on the knife matched perfectly with Nancy Normals loop to the left.
DNA Fingerprinting: We were able to extract DNA from the fingerprint found on the knife. Again, it was compared to the suspects, and again, it matched with Nancy Normal.
Blood Samples: Two blood samples were found on the knife. One was Carelton (Type O) and one was an unknown suspect (Type A). The blood types of the suspects were taken and both Nancy Normal and Theresa Terra.
Karyotypes: From the DNA we were able to determine what genetic disorder each suspect had. Carelton had XYY, and the unknown blood had XXX. The only suspect to match with XXX is Nancy Normal.
Pedigrees: We were given information on all of the suspects families and the disorders in every family. They showed that Nancy Normal had Huntington's disease, making her more susceptible to lashing out and committing a crime.
Ink Chromatography: There was a death threat found on the crime scene. To find out who wrote it, we separated the pigments of the ink of all of the suspect's pen to see whose matched the note. The results showed that a pen owned by both Nancy Normal and Sam Sophomore matched it.
Content
Information Involved in Project:
Forensics- application of scientific methods and techniques to the investigation of crime
-In this project we had to use forensic science to form a case against the suspect who murdered Carelton Comet.
Ink Chromatography- process used to separate pigments in ink
-Explained Above.
DNA Fingerprinting- analysis of DNA from body tissues
-Explained Above
Chromosomes- organized, safe structures that carry genetic information (genes) consisting of nucleic acids and proteins
-We looked at the number chromosomes in the karyotype of each suspect when matching up genetic disorders.
Karyotype- number and appearance of chromosomes in the cell
-Explained Above.
Pedigree- a family tree that shows the presence of genetic diseases
-Explained Above.
Genetic Disease- disease caused by mistakes in DNA replication
-We looked at the genetic diseases from each of the suspects to see whose matched up with CS2.
Huntington's Disease- progressive brain disorder that causes loss of cognitive abilities, uncontrolled movements, and emotional issues
-Explained Above (See Pedigrees).
Triple X syndrome- genetic condition regarding an extra X chromosome in females
-This was the genetic disorder associated with CS2.
XYY Syndrome- genetic condition regarding an extra Y chromosome in males
-This was the genetic disorder associated with CS1
Fingerprint Patterns
loop- One or more of the ridges enters on either side of the impression, re-curves, and then touches or crosses the line running from the delta to the core
whorl- Some of the ridges make a turn through at least one circuit
arch- The ridges run from one side to the other of the pattern, making no backward turn
Blood Type- refers to presence of antigens in red blood cells (O is absence of A and B)
A- Nancy Normal and Theresa Terra had A type blood.
B- Nobody involved in the case had B type blood.
AB- Nobody involved in the case had AB type blood.
O- Carelton Comet had O type blood.
First Degree Murder- intentional murder that is willful and premeditated with malice aforethought
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Other Relevant Information From The Unit But Not Specifically Used In The Project:
DNA Structure- made up of nucleotides, which consist of phosphate groups, sugar groups, and a nitrogen base.
-The nucleotides are held together by hydrogen bonds in the shape of a double helix.
DNA Replication- process in which DNA makes a copy of itself in cell division
Genetics
Alleles- variant form of a gene
Dominant- if present, trait is always expressed
Recessive- trait only expressed if no dominant present
Co-dominant- both alleles are expressed
Incomplete dominant- a mixture of both alleles are expressed
Genotype- genetic makeup of an organism
Phenotype- physical characteristics determined by genotype
DNA Mutations
Insertion- addition of one or more nucleotide base pairs into a DNA sequence
Deletion- deletion of one or more nucleotide base pairs from a DNA sequence
Frame shift- deletion or insertion in a DNA sequence that shifts the way the sequence is read
Substitution- exchanges one base in a DNA sequence for another
Nonsense- substitution where a stop codon is produced
Missense- substitution where a change occurs in the amino acid produced
Repeat Expansion- slippage during DNA replication causing base pairs to appear in incorrect places
Duplication- portion of genetic material is duplicated or replicated
Reflection
I felt really good about this project. I feel like my group worked really well together and we ended up with a great presentation indicting Nancy Normal for first degree murder.
Two Things I Personally Did Well On:
1. I feel like I led this group very well. I listened to my other team members and kept them on task when they got distracted (which was not often at all). I divided the work as evenly as possible and played to every group member's individual strengths when doing so.
2. I also feel like I had really good work ethic throughout this unit. I rarely got distracted and when I did, I did my best to get working again as soon as possible.
Two things I Could Improve On:
1. I feel like I should have prepared more for the presentation aspect. I ended up just reading off of my notecards, not looking up at my audience much at all. I need to improve on my ability to stand up in front of people and give a presentation without being shaky and stuttering.
2. I also feel like I could have done more empathetically towards my teammates. I rarely took into account how they were feeling about things when I should have checked in on them.
Two Things I Personally Did Well On:
1. I feel like I led this group very well. I listened to my other team members and kept them on task when they got distracted (which was not often at all). I divided the work as evenly as possible and played to every group member's individual strengths when doing so.
2. I also feel like I had really good work ethic throughout this unit. I rarely got distracted and when I did, I did my best to get working again as soon as possible.
Two things I Could Improve On:
1. I feel like I should have prepared more for the presentation aspect. I ended up just reading off of my notecards, not looking up at my audience much at all. I need to improve on my ability to stand up in front of people and give a presentation without being shaky and stuttering.
2. I also feel like I could have done more empathetically towards my teammates. I rarely took into account how they were feeling about things when I should have checked in on them.