Biological Forensics

Laboratory Exercise 12
 Forensics Lab
Objectives
 Learn the definition of forensic
science.
 Examine ways biological
information can be used to
solve crimes, and see examples
of this in today’s society.
 Forensic Science
• Definition: The application of the tools
of science, as well as specific scientific
facts, to help solve legal problems

• Goal: the determination of the cause,

location, and time of death
 Some Uses of Forensics
• Identify potential suspects
whose DNA may match
evidence left at crime
scenes

• Exonerate persons wrongly

accused of crimes

• Identify crime and

catastrophe victims
http://www.rit.edu/~vjrnts/forensics/labs/lab1/lab1pix.html

• Establish timing and

circumstances of a crime
 Categories of Forensics

• DNA Evidence
• Forensic Entomology
• Forensic Serology
Bluebottle blow fly
• Forensic Odontology
 • Forensic
Fingerprinting
Fingerprint counting
number of typica

• Forensic Anthropology
Radiocarbon dating of
the Dead Sea Scrolls

• Forensic Art
Composite art, image modification, age progression, post-
mortem reconstruction and demonstrative evidence
• Forensic Pathology
• Forensic Psychiatry
• Forensic Toxicology
• Bloodstain Pattern
Analysis
• Forensic
Photography
Biological Forensics

Use of Entomology
(the study of insects)

Use of Molecular biology

(DNA analysis)
 Entomology
Use of the insects, and their arthropod
relatives that inhabit decomposing
remains to aid legal investigations

Compare the insect to the different

stages of their life cycle

http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/ansci/horse/eb55-2.htm
 Common Insects Found on
Carrion
Blow Flies
(order Diptera)

Some comon larvae or "maggots" found on human remains

Life cycle of a typical blowfly

 Beetles
(order Coleoptera)

larvae shown here are from four

different beetle families

American carrion beetle, Necrophila americana

sexton beetle, Nicrophorus orbicollis

 Molecular Forensics

Use of identifying characteristics of

molecules in our cells to aid legal
investigations

Compare the DNA and/or blood type

of crime scene evidence to that of
suspects, or use this information to
identify a victim.
 Two main methods of
Molecular Forensics

• PCR (Polymerase Chain

Reaction)
• Blood typing
 PCR (Polymerase Chain
Reaction)

–Developed in 1987
–Amplify one molecule of DNA
into billions of copies in a few
hours
–Identifies an individual based on
microscopic amount of evidence
–99% accuracy rate
 Genetic Variation

• Most genes have small sequence

differences between individuals
– Occur every 1350 bp on average
• Some of these polymorphisms may
affect:
– How well the protein works
– How the protein interacts with another
protein or substrate
• A gene is a unit of inheritance
 Hydrogen Bonds
H H
H
H C O
H N H
C N
Thymine C C
C C
H C N Adenine
H N
N C
N C
C N
O
H

H N
H
C N H
Cytosine C O
C
H C N C C
Guanine
H N
N C N C
O N
C

N
H H
PCR DNA
Some Interesting Uses of DNA
Forensic Identification
• ID 9/11 victims
• ID plane crash victims
• ID Missing children
• DNA Shoah Project
• Tomb of the Unknowns
• Son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
• Nicholas Romanov
• Peruvian Ice Maiden
• African Lemba Tribesman
• Super Bowl XXXIV Footballs and 2000 Summer
Olympic Souvenirs
• Study migration patterns
• Poached animals
• DNA banks for endangered species
 Forensic Serology

• Historical methods of identifying

and individualizing blood and
other body fluids

• Antigen-Antibody reactions

• Enzyme-Substrate reactions
 HISTORY
• In 1901 Dr. Karl
Landsteiner
discovered blood
typing.

• awarded a
Noble Prize.
 Artery

White blood cells

Platelets

Red blood cells

 Plasma-55%

Buffy coat-<1%

Formed
elements-45%
ANTIGENS
 ANTIGENS

b a
b
a

b b a a

b a
a b
b b
a
a
AGGLUTINATION
Blood being tested Serum
Anti-A Anti-B
Type AB (contains
agglutinogens A and B;
agglutinates with both
sera)
RBCs

Type A (contains
agglutinogen A;
agglutinates with anti-A)

Type B (contains
agglutinogen B;
agglutinates with anti-B)

Type O (contains no
agglutinogens; does not
agglutinate with either
serum)
Figure 17.16
Can this blood be associated to
a particular individual?

MAYBE!?!
Blood Type & Rh How Many Have It Frequency

O Rh Positive 1 person in 3 37.4%

O Rh Negative 1 person in 15 6.6%
A Rh Positive 1 person in 3 35.7%
A Rh Negative 1 person in 16 6.3%
B Rh Positive 1 person in 12 8.5%
B Rh Negative 1 person in 67 1.5%
AB Rh Positive 1 person in 29 3.4%
AB Rh Negative 1 person in 167 .6%
 In Class Assignment
• Analyze 4 suspects blood
types
• Compare it to blood found on
the murder weapon.
• Determine the murderer.