Which suspect\'s DNA matches that found at the crime scene? Does this automatica

Question

Which suspect's DNA matches that found at the crime scene? Does this automatically mean that the suspect is guilty? Why or why not?

First Row

Lane Tube

1 Markers Standard DNA Fragments

2 CS1 DNA from crime scene cut with enzyme 1

3 CS2 DNA from crime sene cut with enzyme 2

4 1 DNA from suspect 1 cut with enzyme 1

5 2 DNA from suspect 1 cut with enzyme 2

Second Row

Lane Tube

1 Markers STandard DNA fragments

2 3 DNA from suspect 2 cut with enzyme 1

3 4 DNA from suspect 2 cut with enzyme 2

These are the samples that were run. Please help. I do not understand and the lab is due today

Explanation / Answer

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This process is known as Gel electrophoresis, where DNA is cut by different enzymes and run on setup.

Fragments with less base pairs run farther away from starting point.

If the DNA from suspect 1 or 2 is present on the crime scene, it will produce same results. Meaning the position of DNA strands will be same.

Now, as we can see, DNA from suspect 1 on crime scene is matching with both enzymes.

See and compare 2 – 4 and 3 -5.

DNA matching doesn’t automatically mean that suspect 1 is guilty. Many experimental problems can invalidate this test such as DNA contamination or incomplete action of restriction enzymes (leading to incomplete cleavage.)

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