Jonathan Smith

Crime Scene: #1
Evidence being examined: Blood
Forensic science used: Nucleic DNA
Summary of Science:

Nucleic DNA or Nuclear DNA was considered a major advancement in how
the FBI studied bodily fluids found at crime scenes. In 1998, the FBI began testing
DNA in its laboratories and using it as credible evidence in their cases. Prior to this,
the FBI and other agencies used serological testing to place bodily fluids with
victims or suspects. When another process was proved to be more accurate and
easier to accomplish, it took its place in forensic science.

The process of examining DNA is rather long and could take up to months, or
even years to be completed. Through this process we are taking the smallest of DNA
samples and multiplying them to a seeable and observable size that can be used in a
court of law as evidence. It begins with the original DNA sample. The scientist will
take the sample and place it in a Lysis Buffer. The Lysis Buffer breaks down the
cellular membrane that surrounds the DNA and breaks up the chains that holding
the nucleic acids together. This also removes the negative charge of the cell. After,
the DNA goes through Polymerase Chain Reaction. This is an incredible process that
multiplies the DNA sample billions of times into an observable size. In that chain
reaction, you add primers that attach to the DNA and act as tiny machines that read
the DNA code, and then attach nucleotides to create copies of that DNA. Then,
theDNA goes through several cycles at different temperatures to allow the DNA
molecules to pair together and for DNY Polymerase to activate and add
complementary nucleotides onto the strands. Those cycles are repeated until there
are billions of copies of the original DNA.
After they have a sizable DNA sample, they are able to put it through
Electrophoresis. This process spreads the DNA out and visualizes what makes each
of our DNA different. First, you take Agarose, a gel that is found in seaweed, and
pour it into a container. Once the gel solidifies, saltwater is poured on top to act as a
conductor for electricity. The DNA, which has been placed in purple die for visibility,
is then placed in several grooves in the gel. After, an electric current is put through
the saltwater to draw the DNA out. The positive current is placed farthest from the
DNA because DNA has an overall negative charge. The DNA is then attracted to the
positive charge and creates a pattern that can be compared to another persons DNA.
One of the major advancements in this process was Polymerase Chain
Reaction. This incredible step allowed DNA to be seen and used as viable evidence in
a court of law, something that had not been possible previously. Now that we have
that process, we can take a control sample of DNA and compare it to the evidence
DNA, eventually proving or disproving a persons guilt.
Upon analyzing the DNA evidence found at Scott Hendersons house, we can
conclude that it was the blood of Aaron Lee. The evidence was found in the sink of
Scott Henderson, and was thought to be the blood of the victim. Through analyzing
the blood of Aaron Lee and Scott Henderson, the match came for Aaron Lee, showing
that the blood once belonged to Aaron Lee.