Alexander Kingsford-Nendsa 40256277 23/02/2024

Identifying the culprit through gel

electrolysis of DNA
Alexander Kingsford-Nendsa 40256277 23/02/2024

Introduction
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) serves as life's genetic framework and contains four nucleobases;
Adenine, Thymine, Guanine and Cytosine. These Bases facilitate RNA and protein synthesis. Individual
traits originate from DNA variations. In the human population 99.9% of DNA sequences are identical in
sequence to other humans however that .1% carries 6 million distinct base pairs. These genetic differences
are crucial within crime scene investigation, notably trace evidence from crime scenes.

Sequencing DNA from samples and matching it to a suspect is not cost effective as well as time
consuming. Thus, this lab uses gel electrolysis; gel electrolysis is the use of a restriction enzyme to cut
DNA into specific fragments as DNA moves through a gradient. The purpose of this lab is to identify a
burglary suspect through the use of gel electrolysis.

Methods

The purpose of the experiment was to perform gel electrophoresis to compare DNA samples
taken from the crime scene with those of the two suspects. The procedure involved several steps:
extracting crime scene DNA from skin cells, followed by DNA amplification to obtain enough material
for electrophoresis. Next, all three DNA samples were subjected to the same restriction enzyme to create
DNA fragments. These fragments were then loaded into wells immersed in a liquid solution along with
four specific samples: lambda DNA, crime scene DNA, suspect 1 DNA, and suspect 2 DNA. DNA was
loaded into the wells using a micropipette. The power source was then connected to the gel and
electrophoresis was performed for 30-45 minutes to separate DNA fragments of different sizes. After
electrophoresis, the gel was stained with warm staining solution for 10 minutes and then stained in warm
water for 30–45 minutes. Finally, the gels were examined in light boxes to compare the zone patterns of
suspect 1, suspect 2, and the crime scene, assessing differences and similarities in the number of zones
and their distances from the wells. The purpose of this analysis was to identify the culprit based on the
DNA bands after electrolysis was complete.

Results

After the experiment was complete the bands of DNA fragments were observed.
Unfortunately a photo is unavailable however the following results were observed for the
samples: Crimes scene, Suspect 1 and Suspect 2. Suspect 1 and 2 both had their own distinct
band patterns which is a good indicator that the enzyme used was effective and their respective
results may be compared to the Crime scene. The following results are the band lengths for
Crime scene: 26mm, 28mm and 29mm each with an error (δ) of 0.5mm . Following are the
results for Suspect 1 and 2 respectively (in mm): 18, 21 and 13,19,21,27,29,31.

Discussion:

The data of the electrolysis presented in the results above may now be analyzed. Band lengths
are a result of DNA migrating through the gel due to the electrolysis; a smaller band i.e. less
Alexander Kingsford-Nendsa 40256277 23/02/2024

mass allows it to be carried further while a larger band will not be carried as far due to the higher
mass; this difference in band lengths allows the suspects to be compared to the crime scene in
order to determine the culprit. Comparing suspect 1 to the crime scene we can see that the
respective band lengths are not matching including the error indicating that suspect 1 is not the
culprit. However, analyzing suspect 2 and crime scene multiple band lengths are shared when
accounting for error thus indicating that suspect 2 is indeed the culprit of this crime.

Sources:

1) Ferguson, Ian M. 2022. Introductory Biology - Laboratory Manual.