PLTW: Lesson 3-Murder Mystery Vocab

Question 1

Autopsy

Answer 1

A surgical procedure consisting of a thorough examination of a dead body to determine the cause and manner of death.

Question 2

DNA Fingerprinting

Answer 2

A forensic technique used to identify a suspect in a criminal investigation. A DNA sample is taken from a crime scene and compared with the DNA sample from a suspect.

Question 3

DNA Gel Electrophoresis

Answer 3

The process in which DNA molecules are separated according to size and how positively or negatively charged they are by applying an electric current to them while they are in a gel.

Question 4

Postmortem

Answer 4

Something that happens after death. (Latin: post-after; mortem-death)

Question 5

Rigor Mortis

Answer 5

One of the signs of death that is caused by chemical changes in the muscles that causes the limbs of the corpse to stiffen. (Latin: rigor-stiffness; mortis-of death)

Question 6

Algor Mortis

Answer 6

The change in body temperature following death. The body temperature will steadily decline until it matches the temperature of the surrounding environment; external factors can effect the rate of cooling. (Latin: algor-coldness; mortis-of death)