“Create your own crime” Project Two
The story:
A murder has been committed in which there are multiple suspects. You, the investigator, examine the crime scene and find DNA evidence of the perpetrator on the victim. You analyze the DNA and get its fingerprint. You obtain a DNA sample either by luck or through a legal warrant. You compare their DNA to your sample. A positive ID is made from your efforts and with the motive and method linked to the correct suspect you arrest the perpetrator.
The assignment:
This assignment is much like the project you did during the CSI unit at the beginning of the year. You will use your already created mock crime and present a Power point of how the crime was solved.
What will be different is that the previous Ppt only described the initial, preliminary investigation and won’t carry me through the outcome of the crime. This project will summarize the entire mystery.
Also, in this investigation there will be multiple suspects biologically related to each other. Thus, you will have to create several motives and plausible opportunities allowing for the killer to commit the crime.
Your murderer will have left a sample of his/her DNA on either the victim or the murder weapon: blood, sweat, hair; your choice but there must be a plausible reason for it being there. A murderer’s blood does’t just magically get left behind so be able to explain it.
If you need some ideas for how DNA can get left behind, check out this chart I found in the textbook:
Which suspect will be arrested will be determined by testing the DNA evidence and comparing it with the suspects’ DNA. You will have to figure out how your investigator gets a sample of their DNA. I doubt the suspects would give it to you voluntarily. You can either obtain a warrant for the DNA (we’ll learn later what you need to do) or you can get lucky and find it as part of your investigation.
You will have to include prints of all DNA tested: the evidence that was found at the scene and the samples obtained from your suspects to prove that they match. Obviously, you won’t be able to do an actual DNA test; kits can be expensive. But you can describe how the procedure is done and create mock prints on graph paper.
These are what DNA profiles look like:
A PCR DNA print A gel electrophorus DNA print
Surely, you can make something that looks like one of these by coloring in graph paper. We’ll learn how to do the tests. I will expect a description of the procedure much like how it was part of your story.
So, to summarize:
You are creating a Powerpoint that will include:
- A photo and description of the victim, the murder weapon, biological evidence of the perpetrator, and other relevant evidence found at the scene. Multiple slides may be needed but this part doesn’t have to be as detailed as the first presentation. A Final Sketch of the your crime scene needs to be included.
- Photos, descriptions, and motives of the suspects as well as reasons for suspecting them (where they found at the scene of the crime holding the bat?) and how do you know their motive (interviews with neighbors? Confessions?).
- The DNA print of the biological evidence found at the crime scene and a description of the procedure (gel vs. PCR)
- Photographs and descriptions of the samples containing the suspects’ DNA and an explanation of how you managed to get a hold of their DNA. Their DNA CANNOT be illegally or forcefully obtained. Warrants for their DNA must be filled out and included. If you found their hair on a brush, how did you get the brush? If you searched their house, you must include a search warrant. If they gave you a blood sample, you must include a warrant permitting you to get their blood. All paperwork must be included in your presentation.
- DNA prints of both (or more) suspects. You don’t have to write up a second description of the test’s procedure. Once is enough.
- A third slide of prints placing the first print side by side with the suspect whose
DNA you believe matches the DNA found at the scene. The two must be identical.
- A final slide announcing who was arrested that summarizes why they were arrested including motive, method, opportunity, and DNA proof.
EASY ENOUGH?
Then let’s talk about
GRADING
10 Points for the quality of each of the seven elements listed above 70
5 points for all text requirements
5 points for all graphic requirements
10 Points for skill in explaining DNA typing techniques in an easy-to-understand style 10
5 points for your explanation of either gel or PCR
5 points for your prints: do they look like actual gel prints? PCR prints?
10 Points for meeting sub-deadlines 10
Due Wednesday April 27th– Story idea written in paragraph form 3
Due Wednesday May 4th – All photos and DNA prints 3
Due Wednesday May 11th – PROJECT DUE 4
10 Points “GREAT JOB” because I can’t think of anything else to grade this with 10
100 points total
DUE DATE: WEDNESDAY MAY 11TH
