DNA Fingerprinting Lab Report (Formal Grade)
As a forensic scientist, you will prepare a lab report which you can defend as an expert witness.
Title: a brief, concise, yet descriptive title
Statement of the Problem:
What question(s) are you trying to answer? This should relate to the overall experiment for DNA Fingerprinting.
Background Information: Include information about the subject and the procedures used. This provides the reader with the
background information so that she/he can understand why the experimental work was completed and why the lab procedures
were used.
For the DNA Fingerprinting Lab, you will explain how and why RFLP are used to determine the identification of an individual, why
restriction enzymes are used (how do they work); and why/how gel electrophoresis is used. Why this method of DNA fingerprinting
can be considered such strong evidence to convict or clear a witness?
Method:
For the DNA Fingerprinting lab, there will be 2 sections: Restriction Enzyme Digestion and Gel Electrophoresis.
Each section will have the following:
Purpose: Clearly state the purpose for the method
Materials:
* Make a list of ALL items used in this section of the lab.
Procedure:
* Write a paragraph (complete sentences) which explains what you did in the lab as a short summary.
* Add details (step-by-step) of your procedure in such a way that anyone else could repeat the experiment.
* The procedure should be written in the 3rd person past tense.
Observations and additional notes as related to appearance of samples, functioning of the equipment, and
recommendations for someone doing this procedure in the future for this section of the lab.
Diagrams can/should be included. Photographs can be included.
Results (Data):
* This section should include any data tables and graphs that you make during the lab. The graphs are made on the appropriate
graph paper and will at least ¾ of a standard sheet 8 ½ x 11”. You will attach separate sheet(s) and indicate to the reader where to
look to the attachments (“See the attached graph B - title).
* All tables, graphs and charts should be labeled appropriately. This includes a title, labeling the x and y axis, and units. A description
or explanation is included.
(1) For the DNA Fingerprinting, you will include the data table based on the gels and 2 graphs (standard graph paper and semilog
graph paper. You will need to explain how the graphs are related to the gels.
(2) Your data and graphs are presented so that a prosecuting or defense lawyer could use them as evidence.
Conclusions: You will use the Writing Effective Conclusions Rubric.
(1) For REE (results with evidence and explanation), give the answer to the purpose question (results) with numerical data as
evidence.
(2) For PE (possible errors), identify the sources of experimental design errors that would lead to fallacious (false or misleading)
data, and explain the possible implications from making such errors. Once potential errors in experimentation are identified,
give recommendations to improve the experiment to minimize these sources of errors. The goal is to design experiments that
have the most reproducible and reliable data.
(3) For PA (practical applications), How can your experimental results be used in a law court? How can the results be explained to a
jury (without scientific backgrounds).
What recommendations would you make to a forensic scientist about using the data or for planning future experimentation?
The final version of a conclusion should be a thorough analysis of the experiment and results reflecting on the uses of the new
information.
Peer Feedback
The lab report will be proofread and signed by another student in another lab team. This student will provide use the lab report
rubric to assess the clarity, completeness, and overall quality of the lab report.