Module 1 (weeks 1 and 2)

Question 1

Current forensic DNA typing procedures analyze STR loci that are found in non-coding regions of the human genome that are known as:

Answer 1

“junk” DNA

Question 2

DNA replication was first accomplished using a technique known as polymerase chain reaction. (T/F)

Answer 2

True

Question 3

In 1984, Sir Alec Jeffreys developed the first DNA profiling (‘genetic fingerprinting’) test. Its first use to solve a crime occurred in England. It identified Colin Pitchfork as the murderer of two young girls in Narborough in the English Midlands. In which year did this occur?

Answer 3

1987

Question 4

Isoenzymes are one of the five categories of conventional genetic markers. (T/F)

Answer 4

True

Question 5

Leucocytes are the principal source of nuclear DNA in liquid blood. (T/F)

Answer 5

True

Question 6

The forensic DNA typing procedure that uses restriction endonucleases, electrophoresis, and Southern blotting to analyze DNA is known by the acronym:

Answer 6

RFLP

Question 7

Success of a DNA match can be inhibited by: (6)

Answer 7

degradation
not enough DNA
inhibition
non-human DNA
mixture of DNA
contamination

Question 8

What is the discrimination power of an American DNA profiling system?

Answer 8

10^-26

Question 9

What are the four steps used when generating a profile?

Answer 9

extraction
quantification
amplification
analysis

Question 10

What is the known sample called and what is the unknown sample called?

Answer 10

reference

scene

Question 11

Three stages of PCR

Answer 11

denaturation - heated and strands separated
annealing - primers attach
extension - taq polymerase, nucleotides added

Question 12

In what direction do DNA fragments become larger on an EPG? What do the peaks represent?

Answer 12

left to right

alleles being detected