Page 30 - An Identity Crisis
P. 30
Mock
Trial
USING THIS KIT IN THE MOCK TRIAL If the DNA Typing kit is the only kit done in the
The DNA evidence analyzed in this lab was only Mystery of Lyle and Louise, a mock trial is unlikely
from a single STR and cannot prove conclusively to be useful as the prosecution has insufficient
that a specific person was present or indicate the evidence to support a case. Instead, use the results
actions of those present. If everything in the lab as an exercise in the identification of human remains.
was performed correctly you should have obtained If other exercises were performed, a mock trial can
the following information: help students take all of the evidence presented in
the investigation and available from other kits into
account and provide a more interesting and thorough
The victims in the cabin share the same trial. Information on running a mock trial follows.
alleles as Louise and Lyle Mondelo.
An unknown woman was found dead with BEFORE THE TRIAL
victims who possess the same alleles as
Wally and Jan Mondelo in the Mondelo If a more thorough social studies activity is desired,
family car. students may be instructed to read through the
procedures for trial of criminal cases and the
DNA from two persons was present on simplified rules of evidence. Additionally, lessons
the piece of firewood used as a cudgel designed to familiarize students with the court
in the cabin. Of the samples tested, the system and judicial procedure may prove beneficial.
two persons could have been any two of
Louise, Jan, and the woman in the car.
An unknown person was present in the BRAINSTORMING
cabin and left scraped flesh on the stone Using the story and module evidence, list the facts
of the fireplace. of the case on the board.
Lyle Mondelo is not Wally’s father. Of
the samples tested, Wally’s father might Determine, as a class, who should be charged for
be either John Wayne Gretzky or the each crime.
unknown male victim at the cabin, though
approximately 22 % of people share that Put students into brainstorming groups. Give all
allele with Wally. groups five to ten minutes to develop hypotheses
for each of the following:
30 THE MYSTERY OF LYLE AND LOUISE
