Forensic

In this project, we were tasked with solving a murder given a variety of evidence and a summary of the event. To collect and this evidence, we had to use a variety of forensics techniques and some biology concepts to draw a conclusion about who committed the crime and for what reason. After we had collected all data and performed our analyses, we presented our findings to the class who had also drawn their own conclusions from the same data.

In this project, we used many methods, such as DNA fingerprinting works, how blood types work, how to construct a pedigree, what karyotypes are, how fingerprints are controlled by genes, how to perform chromatography, and how genetic inheritance of traits and conditions work.

Our Slideshow below.

Core Concepts

Forensics

Forensics is the use of scientific methods to aid in the solution or detection of a crime. Forensics can often link a person to a specific object, place, or time through a variety of methods. However, this does not mean that forensics instantly identifies the perpetrator of a crime — a person can potentially be, say, at the crime scene but not guilty in any way.

Fingerprints

Fingerprints are a common tool in forensics. Each person has a unique set of fingerprints (which may be the same on all fingers or even different between fingers) that matches those of no other person. Because human fingers are somewhat oily, when we touch an object the ridges on our fingers (our fingerprints) become outlined in trace amounts of oil on the object.

Pedigree

A pedigree is a chart showing the "family tree" of a group of people as well as any genetic conditions that they may have carried or expressed. This allows an investigator to track the propagation of a genetic condition through a bloodline and thus be able to draw conclusions if a sample taken at the crime scene indicates a genetic condition.

Karyotype

A karyotype is an image which shows all of a person's chromosomes. A karyotype can easily show potential conditions like having too many or too few of specific chromosomes, but it can also indicate finer differences in chromosomes themselves (different DNA). By comparing karyotypes, it can be determined if an unknown karyotype matches any known ones and thus determine who an unknown person is from their karyotype sample.

Reflection

Reflection

What I did well/learned: This unit I learned how forensics work and how they are applied in everyday life. It all makes sense now from when id watch movies. But it was a lot faster in movies. I learned how to figure someone out by their DNA, I also learned that fingerprints are pretty much like stamps.

What I need to work on: I think for next time I should work more on staying on task. This unit I got more distracted than usual. We still got everything done though so no big deal but it was a pain. We waited a lot so we had to do things last second. I also think and can contribute more next time. I pulled my weight but Jake especially did a lot through the project. I didn't slack off but I also didn't go above and beyond either.

2 Cs: With regards to the 6 Cs I think I showed good Communication and Creativity. I worked really well with my group. It only makes sense we are such good friends. I carried my own and positively contributed to the project. I also think that my whole group showed creativity during the project. Our final case was no doubt audacious and a little bit out there, but it all held true to the facts.