Marking Period Three

Explanation

• What the task is: The assignment involved developing an essay about forensic genealogy, researching what forensic genealogy is, how it revolutionized modern criminal investigations, ethical implications of using DNA databases and forensic genealogy to help solve crimes. In addition to researching forensic genealogy we had to use Chat GPT as a resource and write about how it contributed to our research. We were also tasked to use 

• What the objective is: The objective of the assignment was to learn about one of the newest forms of DNA analysis, forensic genealogy, by researching what forensic genealogy is particularly how it works and investigating cold cases that were solved due to forensic genealogy. We were also expected to answer the fully answer the three questions, what forensic genealogy is?, how it revolutionized modern criminal investigations?, what are some ethical implications of using DNA databases and forensic genealogy to help solve crimes? 

• How it fit into the overall unit: The overall unit focused on crime scene evidence samples, how specific evidence is collected and used in criminal investigation. Evidence samples covered in this unit included hair (human and animal) and fibers. This assignment presents a different type of evidence sample, DNA samples. Investigators make a DNA profile for the DNA sample found at the crime scene on a genealogy site (MyHeritage.com, Ancestry.com, etc.) to reverse engineer a family tree. Using the DNA sample relatives on the online genealogy site can be found and then family records are used to find a connection from the relatives to the suspect or victim depending on who the DNA sample belonged to. 

• What I learned: Prior to this assignment I did not know about forensic genealogy. I learned what forensic genealogy is and how the entire process works. I was also able to further research three cold cases that I have heard about before and read about how forensic genealogy helped identify both suspects and victims. I also learned about ChatGPT, the AI powered site that gives you answers to everything. I learned that ChatGPT is not entirely accurate. 

Explanation

• What the task was: The task was to complete a lab memo on the human hair lab done in class. The lab involved comparing suspect hair samples to crime scene evidence samples and determining if the hair samples have consistent characteristics with the crime scene sample. This lab memo was done independently but the human hair lab was done with a partner. 

• What the objective of the assignment: The objective of the assignment was to summarize the human hair lab findings. This includes concisely writing an introduction covering background information, procedure, results, discussion, conclusion, and a reflection. In the end we had to conclude what hair sample is consistent with the crime scene hair sample. 

• How the assignment fit into the overall unit: The unit heavily dealt with hair evidence both animal and hair. This assignment compliments the unit since the assignment involved testing human hair evidence to find any forms of consistency with the crime scene evidence. 

• What you learned by completing the assignment: I learned about the overall process of hair analysis. It can not directly conclude that two hair samples come from the same source but one can conclude that two hair samples have consistent characteristics. 

Reflection

• What was challenging about the assignment: The most challenging this about the assignment was figuring out what the most important pieces of information that needs to be on the memo. I struggled with trying not to write an entire lab report. There was some information that I felt was necessary to include but I had to cut out due to the lack of space.  

• How would you improve the assignment: To improve this assignment I would provide actual pictures of the human hair evidence lab. If I had enough space there would be pictures of the actual lab but the data table was essential to the lab memo.  

• What have you learned from redo-ing the assignment: I did not have to redo this assignment but again if I were to improve upon the assignment I would provide pictures. Potentially make the table much smaller and easier to understand.