In this project we were to put our sleuthing skills to the test, learning about stuff such as biotech, crime scene investigation and forensics. We were given a hypothetical murder of Carlton Comet, and we were given the backstory of many potential suspects who were with Carlton when the murder occurred. Additionally, we were given a lot of genetic evidence. Through this, we were required to evaluate who murdered Carlton Comet. We did this through multiple ways. They are as follows: iconography, blood tests, DNA fingerprinting, karyotypes, pedigrees and fingerprint analysis. The ones I personally contributed to were the DNA fingerprinting, pedigrees and karyotypes, as I was responsible for secritarial work and documentation. Afterwards, we wrote a write up, discussing the conclusion we came to be as a result of our findings.

Incomplete Dominance

Incomplete Dominance is when the phenotype of two alleles are both present on a species, when both alleles are present in a genotype (For example, spots on a calico cat). In the case of out murder mystery, some of the subjects involved had traits that involved incomplete dominance. Incomplete dominance is also necessary to understand for fields in genetics, in order to understand how different traits arise.

Co-dominance

Co-dominance is when the phenotype of two alleles mix together on a species, when both alleles are present (For example a grey cat when a black allele and a white allele are present). In the case of our murder mystery, some of the traits present involved co-dominant traits. Co-dominant traits are also essential to understand in fields of genetics.

Sex-Linked Traits

Sex-Linked Traits are traits that depend on the sex of the individual for their presence. This is because the Y chromosome (the chromosome that signifies if you are a male) has less information than the X chromosome, meaning that some traits do not have their allele present on the Y chromosome. This causes certain traits to be present even if only one of their alleles is present, as only one allele is required on males for sex-linked traits to be present. In the case of our project, we had to deal with some traits that were sex-linked. Genetic studies also have to deal with sex-linked traits all the time, with some common ones being hemophilia, red-green color blindness and congenital night blindness.

Pedigrees

Pedigrees are a certain type of family, used to denote inheritance patterns. Males are signified by squares, females are signified by circles and a trait is signified by a solid shape. In our project, we used pedigrees to trace and connect individuals to families, using certain traits that they shared. Pedigrees are also used all the time in forensics and genetic studies, as they are often a useful tool to figure out inheritance.

Forensics

Forensics is the use of scientific methods or expertise to investigate crimes or examine evidence that might be presented in a court of law. the field of forensics is what are projects revolved around, as our project was to solve a murder. Forensic science is also common in crime scene investigation or in law, as their evidence can be used to decide cases.

DNA Fingerprinting

DNA Fingerprinting is the process of determining the probable identity of a person based on the nucleotide sequences of certain regions of human DNA that are unique to individuals. In our project, we used DNA fingerprinting to match DNA found on the crime scene to suspects, which would allow us to further incriminate the correct suspects. DNA fingerprinting is also used commonly in Forensics. 

Karyotypes

Karyotypes is an individual's complete set of chromosomes. Karyotypes are commonly used to connect genetic material to an individual. We used karyotypes in this same way, in order to connect individuals with genetic material found in the crime scene.

Blood Type

A blood type a classification of blood, defined by the types of antigens and antibodies present in an individual's blood. There are four blood types: A, B, AB and O. In our investigation, we used blood types as evidence for which people could have commited the crime. Blood types are also necessary to know for certain transfusions and organ transplants.

Fingerprints

Fingerprints are found on a person's tips of their fingers, and are present to allow the hand to grip onto things. Fingerprints are also unique to every person, and hence are incredibly useful when it comes to identification. In our project, we used fingerprints in order to identify the suspect responsible for the killing of Carlton Comet.