Case Studies

Question 1

Why was the case of Colin Pitchfork important in forensics?

Answer 1

First case to use DNA as a tool to convict someone (VNTRs)

Question 2

Who was the first criminal in the US to be prosecuted using DNA evidence?

Answer 2

Tommy Lee Andrews

Question 3

What was the importance of heteroplasmy in Tsar Nicholas II’s remains case? How did it aid in identifying the remains?

Answer 3

Nicholas was heteroplasmic and it helped in identifying relatives

Question 4

What was the source of Anna Anderson’s DNA sample in the Anastasia mystery case?

Answer 4

mtDNA

Question 5

How long is the lifespan of a sperm cell in a vagina? How does it apply to forensics?

Answer 5

5 days and this can give a timeline of a rape, sexual assault, etc. but it can also cause problems in there was consensual sex at some point within the 5 days before a rape

Question 6

What type of DNA marker did forensic experts use to connect Chester Turner to the rape/murder of Paula Vance and his other victims, and through what database was Turner’s profile matched to evidence left at the crime scene?

Answer 6

STRs and CODIS

Question 7

Problems with what crime lab highlighted the importance of laboratory accreditation?

Answer 7

Houston Police Department’s

Question 8

How was non-human DNA used as evidence in the conviction of Ian Simms?

Answer 8

There was dog hair on Helen’s clothes that matched Simms dog

Question 9

Which type of DNA evidence was analyzed to investigate the possibility that Thomas Jefferson fathered six children with one of his slaves?

Answer 9

y-DNA

Question 10

The semen found on the sock at the crime scene for the Central Park Jogger case was genotyped 2 times, what markers were used each time and why were they different?

Answer 10

RFLPs the first time and then STRs because it was 13 years later

Question 11

Which DNA marker was used in the Bill Clinton scandal?

Answer 11

RFLP

Question 12

What kind of evidence eventually exonerated Earl Washington Jr.?

Answer 12

STRs and a confirmatory test of PSA

Question 13

Why was DNA evidence disregarded in the OJ Simpson case?

Answer 13

degradation from leaving in the heat
did not change gloves between samples
lots of contamination

Question 14

What are the primary 4 reasons for wrongful conviction in the Paul House case?

Answer 14

prior sexual assault
House just recently moved in
testimonies
DNA spilled out of vials which spilled onto House’s jeans

Question 15

What 2 main genetic analyses were performed on the remains of King Richard III?

Answer 15

y-STR and mtDNA

Question 16

What 2 main genetic analyses were performed on the remains of King Richard III?

Answer 16

y-STR and mtDNA

Question 17

What was the source of the DNA that was used to convict Mark Bogan of murder in Arizona?

Answer 17

Palo Verde Trees and mtDNA

Question 18

How is the Anderson case unique relating to the line ups?

Answer 18

they had to get his photo from his employer because he had no record and his was the only color photo in a group of black and white mug shots

Question 19

In which case was the victim’s sample mistakenly identified as a sample from the defendant?

Answer 19

John Ivan Kocak

Question 20

What was significant about the Scoville Godfrey case in terms of forensics for the state of Vermont? In the Scoville Godfrey case, why did investigators collect cigarette butts for DNA samples when they already had a confirmed match?

Answer 20

VT got a databank for DNA and Act 160 requires a 2nd hit for a confirmed match

Question 21

What was significant about the Scoville Godfrey case in terms of forensics for the state of Vermont? In the Scoville Godfrey case, why did investigators collect cigarette butts for DNA samples when they already had a confirmed match?

Answer 21

VT got a databank for DNA and Act 160 requires a 2nd hit for a confirmed match

Question 22

What was the name of the technique used to determine Derrick Todd Lee’s (the Baton Rouge Serial Killer) ethnicity?

Answer 22

admixture mapping

Question 23

The Darrin Fernandez/Evil Twin case was not concluded based on DNA; how was it concluded?

Answer 23

tattoo on his arm and no speech impediment

Question 24

This case relies on trace evidence, what was the trace evidence?

Answer 24

blood from her and cat hair from his cat

Question 25

What type of DNA did they use to analyze the evidence found, and were they able to identify it all as Laci Peterson’s?

Answer 25

mtDNA
the hair was inconclusive
fetus was determined to be Laci’s child

Question 26

Forensic sampling of which manufactured substance was able to link Gary Ridgeway to 3 other crimes, pressuring him to confess?

Answer 26

spray paint samples/paint spheres

Question 27

How were police able to determine that the rapist in the case of the Polish brothers was a close relative of the man they randomly sampled?

Answer 27

matching y-STR and 9/10 STR match