Basic science as it applies to
forensic analysis
Rebecca Hailey, Florida State College Jacksonville Chemistry
Yousef Hijji, Morgan State U Chemistry
Rachel Mohr, WVU Forensic Science
Martin Overly, WVU Forensic Science
Elizabeth Pollock, Richard Stockton College of
NJ, Chemistry
Jacqueline Speir, WVU Forensic Science
Shuo Wei, WVU Biology
Target audience
• Introductory biology
• Second semester general chemistry
• Second semester general, organic, biological
chemistry
• Sophomore level forensic science students
Learning goals and outcomes
Learning Goals
• Students will learn about
enzyme binding and
specificity
• Will understand the role of
inhibitors
• Apply knowledge to novel
situation
Learning Outcomes
• Will be able to predict
reactions between given
enzymes and substrates
• Will be able to interpret
enzyme assay test results
• Will be able to predict the
consequences of the addition
of an inhibitor
• Will be able to relate the
theoretical understanding of
enzymes to real life
applications
What do we need to know to solve this
case?
What do we know about saliva?
How is it different from other
body fluids?
Which of the following components of
saliva should we target for detection?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Water
Salts
Carbohydrates
Food particles
Salivary enzymes = amylase
Demonstration of Phadebas test for
the presence of amylase
Which of the following is a positive
test for saliva?
How enzymes work
Identify the components a-d
active site
enzyme
product
substrate
How enzymes work
Identify the components a-d
active site
enzyme (e.g. amylase)
product
substrate
How enzymes work
Identify the components a-d
active site
Substrate (e.g. starch)
enzyme (e.g. amylase)
product
How enzymes work
Identify the components a-d
product
substrate (e.g. starch)
active site
enzyme (e.g. amylase)
How enzymes work
Identify the components a-d
substrate (e.g. starch)
active site
enzyme (e.g. amylase)
animation
product
Which one(s) of the following contains
molecules which can serve as
substrates for amylase?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Butter
Dietary fiber/cellulose
Jolly Ranchers
Egg whites
Potato chips
Has the suspect been cleared, or
looking increasingly guilty?
Pharmaceutical case study
You are a scientist at a pharmaceutical company
and you are tasked with coming up with a pill
that will mimic the Atkins diet (but, still allowing
dieters to consume carbohydrates).
What do you need to know to do your job?