Use forensic science to excite your students about DNA!

Biological evidence left behind at the scene of a crime is essential to identify possible suspects. Traditionally, suspects have been found by matching descriptions about appearance, fingerprints and blood typing, but modern forensics can use DNA from a single hair to identify an individual.

When Alec Jeffreys first announced his discovery that DNA fingerprints could be used to identify individuals, the news media became fascinated by DNA. Since that announcement in 1985, DNA has been used in solving immigration cases, and of course in forensics. It should be remembered that DNA fingerprinting is not only used as evidence to convict criminals, but also to exonerate the innocent.

Now DNA analysis is mentioned daily on television crime shows and in the news.

Give your students the opportunity to learn about DNA in the exciting context of forensics. Your students will enjoy solving a mystery through actual fingerprinting, blood typing simulated blood, and DNA Fingerprinting with dyes or real DNA.

Furthermore, using our kits, your students can learn to compare “crime scene” DNA with “suspect” DNA! Try our Amplification of DNA for Fingerprinting (kit #130), DNA Fingerprinting - Using Restriction Enzymes (kit #225), or PCR-based DNA Fingerprinting (kit #371).

Bring the exciting world of modern forensics into your classroom!