Page 4 - An Identity Crisis

Introduction to
Identity Crisis
ELCOME to Identity Crisis, a DNA typing
lab in the Mystery of Lyle and Louise. A
Wbrutal murder case is unfolding in a small
Appalachian town. Already the case spans two
crime scenes and five people are dead. Two women,
one at each crime scene, have been identified as
Louise Mondelo. Your students, as the forensic
DNA analysts, must positively identify Louise
Mondelo and analyze the DNA evidence collected by
investigators for clues that might help solve the case. results have been analyzed, students may host a
In this lab, students will learn about DNA Typing
and related technologies, including the polymerase
chain reaction (PCR), a method for amplifying
small samples of DNA, and electrophoresis, a
method for separating different sized DNA strands
4 THE MYSTERY OF LYLE AND LOUISE
within a PCR product. Additionally, an introduction
to short tandem repeat DNA analysis is also
included in this booklet.
In addition to reading information provided about
the case, students will test DNA samples from
people and objects, compare them to each other,
and make assessments of the probability that
samples came from the same source. Once the lab
mock trial to hold a chosen suspect accountable
for their actions.
Teacher’s notes can be found at the beginning of
the manual and copies may be freely made of all
materials for your students.