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    DNA Evidence Worksheet

    Uploaded by

    Maria Gioffre'

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    DNA Evidence Worksheet

    Uploaded by

    Maria Gioffre'
    26 views4 pages

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    26 views4 pages

    DNA Evidence Worksheet

    Uploaded by

    Maria Gioffre'

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    You are on page 1of 4

    Understanding DNA Evidence

    1. What is DNA?
    Write a simple definition of DNA.
    2. Why is DNA special?
    Why is each person’s DNA unique?
    3. How does DNA help solve crimes?
    Name two ways DNA is used in crime investigations.
    4. What can damage DNA?
    List two things that can make DNA harder to use as evidence.
    5. True or False:
    a. DNA is found in most cells of the body.
    b. DNA evidence can last for many years.
    c. DNA was first used to solve a crime in 1987.

    Research Question
    Find a case where DNA evidence helped solve a crime. Write 2–3 sentences about
    what happened.

    Case Study
    The Marilyn Sheppard Case
    Answer these questions after watching a short video or reading about the case:
    1. Who was the victim?
    a. Marilyn Sheppard
    b. Sam Sheppard
    c. Sam Sheppard, Jr.
    2. What helps with DNA fingerprinting?
    a. Chromosomes
    b. Nitrogen bases
    3. Where was Marilyn Sheppard's DNA sample found?
    a. Hair
    b. Fingernail
    4. Whose blood was in the blood trail?
    a. Marilyn Sheppard
    b. Sam Sheppard
    Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)
    The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) is a database that contains information
    about the DNA profiles of millions of convicted criminals, as well as DNA profiles
    recovered from crime scenes. These DNA profiles are
    contributed from laboratories in all fifty states. Every state’s legislation requires that anyone
    convicted of a felony provide a DNA sample. Some states also collect DNA from individuals
    who are arrested.

    When a DNA profile is entered into CODIS, it is compared to all


    DNA profiles recovered from the crime scenes of open
    investigations. When an offender’s DNA profile matches a crime
    scene DNA profile, it is called “a hit.” When a hit occurs, the two
    laboratories that provided the DNA samples are contacted. The labs
    then contact and inform their respective police departments and
    prosecutors. When the offender is located, usually with the help
    of their criminal history record, the hit gives law enforcement
    probable cause to collect a second DNA sample from the offender
    in order to confirm the hit.

    Information about an offender, for example, the nature of their past


    offenses, physical description, “mugshot,” modus operandi, and known associates is
    located in his or her criminal history record. There is currently no interface between
    CODIS and criminal history record information systems, In fact, many state laws prohibit
    linking criminal history information with DNA profiles, because it could reveal genetic
    information about the offender and his or her family. Currently, the only information
    stored in CODIS is the DNA profile, the CODIS laboratory agency identifier, a numerical
    identification number assigned to the sample when it is received into the CODIS
    laboratory, and the names of the CODIS laboratory personnel associated with the DNA
    analysis.
    QUESTIONS: CODIS
    Circle the correct answer.
    1. What is CODIS?
    A. a DNA laboratory
    B. the process of using DNA to solve crimes
    C. a database containing DNA profiles
    D. none of the above

    2. What kind of information is stored in CODIS? Select all that apply.


    A. names of offenders
    B. criminal records of offenders
    C. DNA of offenders
    D. DNA recovered from crime scenes

    3. What is a hit?
    A. a murder ordered by a mob boss
    B. a match between an offender’s DNA and DNA recovered from a crime scene
    C. a criminal history record
    D. a conviction of a suspect for a crime

    4. Samples in CODIS are labeled with a:


    A. unique numerical identification number
    B. a suspect’s name
    C. a case number
    D. the name of the forensic scientist who tested it

    5. DNA profiles are not linked to criminal records in CODIS because:


    A. legal concerns
    B. privacy concerns
    C. no technology exists to link them
    D. Law enforcement doesn’t want this capability

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