2007 Pathways and Access to Careers in Technology
Field Team Research Group 7C: Fingerprinting

Our Group Members include: Rachel Thorley, Beth Haberman,
Brandy Wilmoth, Emily Keith, Marina Morgan, and April Winebarger

Our PACT Challenge: To use DNA extraction to solve the murder
of a 54 year old man found dead in his apartment.

The facts we learned about DNA Extraction: ~You can amplify DNA
using a process called PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) ~You can
extract DNA from all living or once living organisms. ~When you extract
DNA after you're finished you must replace the tip of the seringe.
~DNA is contained in the nucleus of every cell. ~During the process
of DNA amplification you have to remain patient and let the gel sit
the test won't always have the results that you hoped for, or that
are not correct.

The facts we learned about genetic alterations: ~Once is becomes
fully perfected it will allow us to make certain organisms less
seceptible to certain diseases. ~Scientists are able to take a gene
out of an artic fish and plant it into a strawberry to make the
strawberry resistant to frost. ~Scientists are able to take a gene
of one organism and transfer it to another organism to see how
it reacts to the first organism.

The facts we learned about bioengineering:  ~Bioengineering is
the same as Biotechnology. ~Biotechnology is the study of tools
from living things. ~It is allowing us to learn how to successfully
clone living organisms. ~Bioengineering can reduce the use of
pesticides in agriculture and get rid of other organisms that are
dangerous to the crops being strayed.

We learned how to extract DNA and highlight identifying
characteristics of individuals utilizing groundbreaking
biotechnology to solve the challenge.  To successfully identify
the culprit we had to: Amplify the DNA of the blood sample we
found at the apartment so that we see who it most likely belonged
to. We also had to extract DNA from a leaf found at the victim's
apartment and from leaves found at both suspetcs living quarters.
Then we had to compare all three samples to see which one lined
up so we could tell what matched and what didn't

Based on these studies and our suspect identification
techniques our recommendation to the crime lab of
Stemville, KY is: Summary of DNA fingerprinting: Even though
identical twins have very similar DNA, they do not have the same
fingerprints. The ridges on the fingerprints vary to four different
types: ~Loop ~Arch ~Whorl ~Accidental The loop pattern ridges
on one part curves back and ends at the same side. The arch
pattern ridges and extends from one side to the other. The whorl
pattern is a cicular form. The accidental pattern has no specific
design. Fingerprinting only indecate that the person was at the
scene of the crime, it does not prove that the person committed
the crime.