Syllabus

Day 1:

Session 1: PCR amplification
Students learn about how a technique called Polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR).  PCR will be used to amplify five DNA samples - one
obtained from a hypothetical crime scene and four from hypothetical suspects. 

Session 2: Electrophoresis of PCR Products
After performing PCR, students use electrophoresis to analyze the DNA samples and identify the genotypes using a reference allele
ladder. They then match one suspect's DNA sample to the DNA collected at the scene of the crime.

Day 2:

Session 3:  DNA profiling with multi-loci
Following DNA profiling of a single genetic "locus", students can do additional simulation exercises which uses the 13 core loci used
in actual forensic casework. This simple exercise demonstrates the concept of increasing power of discrimination with increasing numbers of loci typed, and
illustrates how even siblings can be discretely identified by DNA profiling. Each student team will generate their own set of genotypes, collect and record data on a worksheet, and perform simple statistical calculations.

Session 4:  Lab tour – Jill Townzen: Studying Mosquitoes with PCR-based Techniques

Day 3:

Session 1: Forensics in Real-Life 8:00-1:00
A visit to the Portland Metro Forensic Laboratory.