miniPCR bio™ Electrophoresis Forensics Lab. Wrongfully Convicted? Instructor's and Student's Guide
Version: 1.1 - Release February 2022 - © 2022 by miniPCR bio™
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Instructor's Guide
Placement in unit
Forensics
Use this lab as an introduction to how forensic scientists use STR analysis. Once students have
mastered their molecular biology skills with this lab, continue with the miniPCR Forensics Lab (https://
www.minipcr.com/product/minipcr-forensics-lab-d1s80-vntr/), which allows students to sample their
own DNA to solve a forensic mystery using PCR and gel electrophoresis.
Genetics
This lab offers a hands-on way to gain familiarity with population genetics and alleles using the
extension activity Probability and DNA profiles (page 25).
Biotechnology
This lab can be used as a culminating activity to demonstrate mastery of micropipetting and gel
electrophoresis. For this approach, we recommend spending more time on some of the activities
discussed in the Additional student supports section of this lab (page 36) before beginning the
experiment.
Learning goals and skills developed
Student Learning Goals:
• Describe the presence of variable number STRs in the human genome
• Understand the use of STR profiles for identification in forensics
• Apply basic probability rules to forensic DNA analysis
• Analyze DNA profiles to solve real-world scenarios
Scientific Inquiry Skills:
• Students will use experimental results to make conclusions and solve a real-world problem
• Students will follow detailed experimental protocols
• Students will make a claim based in scientific evidence
• Students will use reasoning to justify a scientific claim
• Students will follow laboratory safety protocols
Molecular Biology Skills:
• Micropipetting
• Preparation of agarose gels
• Agarose gel DNA electrophoresis
• Staining, visualization, and molecular weight analysis of DNA fragments
