December 13, 2019

A Molecular Approach to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: Using miRNA to Determine Wound-of-Origin

Chris Schendel '19/'20

Abstract: In an assault or homicide, often there is blood present at the crime scene. Sometimes the bloodstain patterns are nonspecific (i.e. the pattern is not indicative of any trauma or source), or otherwise not obviously related to the event. In these cases it becomes important to be able to establish the source of the blood. While blood can be analyzed for DNA, this only provides the individual the blood came from – this is not always enough to prove that a crime has occurred. Every cell contains the same DNA, but cells differ in their RNA as differentiated cells express different coding regions. The authors of these studies theorized that miRNA could be used to determine a wound-of-origin by analyzing miRNA markers in bloodstains. The goal of this in casework would be to prove beyond reasonable doubt that a nonspecific bloodstain pattern was the result of violent crime.

To test this hypothesis, researchers conducted experiments on euthanized rats involving shooting and stabbing them. The shooting experiment was performed with a small caliber revolver, shooting the rats in the head to test for brain markers, using a chest shot as a negative control. The stabbing experiment was performed with scalpels, using manual stabbing and a mechanical stabbing apparatus. The researchers stabbed into the median liver, and into the lung as a negative control. They then performed assays on the blood from the wounds for specific brain (shooting) and liver (stabbing) miRNA markers. The results of the proof-of-concept study were mostly positive, demonstrating that utilizing miRNA markers shows promising results for use in forensic casework.

Proposal for Hamline University Football Mental Training Program

Jordon Deno '19/'20

Performance training for athletes over the many years of sports has solely focused on improving the physical abilities of that athlete. This covers strength, power, speed, agility, balance, and coordination. All these components are crucial in making players more athletic and to give them a better opportunity to perform at a higher level. At Hamline University, the football program only focuses on training the physical ability of the athletes. When the head coach and offensive coordinator were asked “what percentage of football is physical ability to mental ability?” they answered 70-80 percent mental ability to 20-30 percent physical ability. Football is a physically demanding sport and anyone can see that even if they have never played the sport. However, the mentally demanding part of football has been neglected and has not received the proper amount of attention at Hamline University. With mental ability playing a major role in football, athletes deserve training to improve their mental abilities in which to increase performance in football as well as in life.

For my experiment I hypothesize the athletes that participate in the mental training program will increase their in game performance grade and practice grade. This training focuses on positive attitude, self-motivation, goal setting, interpersonal skills, positive self-talk, mental imagery, anxiety management, emotional management, and concentration (The Nine Mental Skills of Successful Athletes).

The athletes will go through a mental training program throughout the season. On Mondays they will have a meeting with a coach or psychologist that talks about the guidelines for a successful athlete when it comes to attitude, motivation, goal setting, interpersonal skills, anxiety, and concentration. Tuesday through Friday the athletes will use positive self-talk and mental imagery during workouts, meetings, and practices. They will be tested on ten question script every day on what they need to know for their game.

Since this is a proposal for a training program there are no findings. The expected results would be an improved performance grade in practice and in games.