Modern Forensics

Question 1

What is DNA?

Answer 1

Deoxyribonucleic Acid is a molecule that carries genetic information for the function and development of an organism

Question 2

How is DNA formed (contents)?

Answer 2

Two polynucleotide chains bound and formed in a double-helix shape.

Nucleotides formed by a nitrogen base (A,G, T, C), a phosphate group, and deoxyribose are linked via covalent bonds into nucleotide chains, which are linked together via hydrogen bonds.

Question 3

What are STRs?

Answer 3

Short Tandem Repeats are polymorphic fragments in DNA that consist of small sections (2-6 bp) that repeat adjacently to each other a certain amount of times.

Question 4

What is VNTR?

Answer 4

Variable Number Tandem Repeats are similar to STR, where fragments of DNA are repeated sequentially. VNTR consists of much larger fragments, from 20 - 100 bp

Question 5

Two primary functions of DNA?

Answer 5

Store genetic information
Protein synthesis

Question 6

How does luminol work?

Answer 6

A chemiluminescent reaction
Blood reacts with hydrogen peroxide in a luminol solution. It acts as a catalyst to release oxygen, which reacts with the luminol, causing electron transfers and visible light during release of energy.