How does Luminol detect blood

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How does Luminol detect blood?

• Blood is slightly alkali
• Hemoglobin is a ferrous compound
• Metals are a catalyst in the reaction between an
  alkali and Luminol

Fe
Hemoglobin
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Luminol
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DNA Identification

• Add restricting enzymes
• Restricting enzymes respond to specific base pair
  sequences
• DNA breaks apart at loci

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Gel Electrophoresis

• Place extracted DNA into wells in agarose gel
• Apply electric current
• Fragments sort by size
• Expose DNA with radioactive markers to film

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Compare Results

• Examine results of DNA from sample
• Examine results of DNA from individual
• Compare patterns

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Who Should Access Your DNA?

• Law enforcement?
• Government agencies?
• Insurance providers?

The US Department of Defense has a DNA Registry
for members of the Armed Forces
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Race in Forensic Science
When you talk about race as a relationship, it
prevents anyone from giving it false
meaning. Dr. Troy Duster
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DNA Identification of Race

• Acquire body fluids or tissue
• Perform DNA ID process
• Examine 6 loci
• Determine race of fluid/tissue origin

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Dental Arcades

• Clockwise Native
• American, African
• American,Caucasian
• Photographs from Osteointeractive, Utah Medical
  Library

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Forensic Entomology
Observing arthropod presence and stages to
determine time and location of an event
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A Common Indicator

• Presence of blowflies
• Stage
• Adult
• Egg
• Larva
• Pupa
• Location

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Problems in Forensic Entomology

• Some species are difficult to identify
• Fauna varies from region to region

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An alternative?

• Relatively thin hair
• Readily available
• Numerous variables can be tested

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Forensic Anthropology
Piecing together events from the past based on
the study of human remains
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Determining Height

• Measure your foot and record its length.
• Estimate your height by performing the
  calculations below.

Height (foot length x 20) / 3
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Examples of Forensic Anthropology

• Identify nutritional deficiencies
• Note presence of disease
• Recognize trauma
• Determine race

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Is it okay to excavate?

• Ancestry
• Desecration
• Age of Remains
• Pursuit of knowledge