Case Of The Crown Jewels Template (Page 7 of 28) in pdf

Case of the Crown Jewels

Pre-Laboratory Activity

NOTE: Groups visiting the MdBioLab must first complete the pre-laboratory classroom activity. The conceptual aspects

of the curriculum will be reinforced with the laboratory activity on the mobile lab.

The purpose of the pre-laboratory activity is to explore how the unique sequence of bases in DNA can be used

to identify individuals. It provides students the opportunity to investigate the application of restriction

enzymes and gel electrophoresis to generate evidence of similarities or differences among DNA molecules.

The objectives of the pre-laboratory are:

Identify a need for DNA restriction analysis

Model the concept of DNA restriction analysis

Apply DNA restriction analysis to the identification of DNA fragments

Work cooperatively to analyze the results of the DNA restriction analysis

Pre-laboratory Materials

Five scissors

Five sets of envelopes labeled Suspect #1, Suspect #2, Suspect #3, Suspect #4 and Crime Scene DNA

Instructions for each envelope (labeled DNA Instructions)

Five sets of base sequences (labeled DNA Strips)

Five rolls of tape

Five poster-size charts as shown on DNA Instructions sheet

Pre-laboratory Engagement (10 – 15 minutes)

Organize students into five groups (no more than five students per group). Tell the students that they are

now part of a forensics team. Have each team read one copy of The Case of the Crown Jewels: Police Report

and tell them that their job is to solve the crime on the basis of the evidence that will be given to them.

Pre-laboratory Exploration (30 – 40 minutes)

Prepare one set of five evidence envelopes (see pre-laboratory materials) for each group by cutting out the

DNA base fragments into DNA Strips and putting the cut outs of the DNA sequences in their respective

envelopes with a DNA Evidence Evaluation sheet. Provide the students with the evidence needed for their

investigation of the crime by providing a set of evidence envelops for each group, one envelope per

student. Tell the students to follow the instructions to try to solve the crime. The instructions will guide

them through the process of DNA restriction analysis. As facilitator, be prepared to assist the students

and address any misconceptions. Encourage students to help each other but to work only on the DNA

fragment in their envelope.

Provide each group with a poster-size chart like that shown on page two of the DNA Evidence Evaluation.

As students complete the activity as instructed, they will tape the resulting DNA fragments on the poster-

size chart.

Case of the Crown Jewels

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Case Of The Crown Jewels Template Page 7