Can your biology class crack the Case of the Crown Jewels? Junior forensics experts try their hands at DNA restriction analysis in an exciting lab activity. The instructional activity introduces the concept of restriction analysis, teaches pipetting and electrophoresis techniques, and charges lab groups with solving the mystery using evidence they prepare and analyze themselves.

Concepts

dna, dna sequence, dna molecule, gel electrophoresis, data collection, data analysis, forensics, making observations, making inferences

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Add a creative element by recruiting class members to portray each of the suspects in the case
• Extend the lesson by including proper evidence collection and handling procedures

Classroom Considerations

• Prepare copies in advance; consider laminating DNA Evidence Evaluation posters for future use
  

Pros

• Gives students a look at real-life forensic work
• Teacher's guide contains all of the materials needed to execute the lesson
  

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.9-10.1 RST.9-10.3 RST.9-10.4 RST.9-10.7 RST.11-12.1 RST.11-12.3 RST.11-12.4 RST.11-12.7