Catching a Criminal

The Year 12 Integrated Science students looked into the world of forensic science by having a go at electrophoresis. This process creates DNA bands by separating the molecules so that individuals can be identified by their specific traits.

Students were given a crime scene scenario where they intercepted an illegal fishing boat with unknown fish meat. They had to test the samples of fish by using electrophresis and interpret the data to determine if there had been illegal fishing happening. The process of electrophoresis is used to help analyse crime scenes, particularly in DNA fingerprinting.

The equipment to perform the electrophoresis was loaned to the school from Murdoch University and local science technicians.