DNA Fingerprinting Simulated Crime Scene Activity Distance Learning

This DNA Fingerprinting Simulated Crime Scene Activity is a great way to begin your unit on the structure, function and processes of DNA in order to elicit student interest in learning about the DNA molecule! I introduce this crime scene situation on the first day of studying DNA then do a series of lessons on DNA structure and replication, all while the crime scene is set up in the classroom to keep my students engaged. The last day of the week, we do this fingerprinting activity to determine the murderer. I use stuffed animals as the "suspects," which makes this a light-hearted murder mystery.

On the activity day, an online simulation gives students a visual for the equipment and process that would be used in a forensics lab. Then, the process is simulated by a paper/pencil/scissors activity during which students make a DNA fingerprint of one of the suspects and compare it to the fingerprint of "blood" taken from the crime scene. For the paper version of the activity, you will want to print a couple of pages onto transparency sheets. This is so that the enzymes and radioactive probe are see-through as the students run them along their DNA sequences to find matching base pairs. There are 6 sets of the enzymes/probes on a page, so if you have a class of 24 students working in pairs, you would only need to print 2 transparency sheets.

There is a 3-page student directions sheet with clear instructions and examples to help walk students through their DNA fingerprinting experience!

Detailed teacher notes and keys are provided to carry out the activity!

UPDATED August 2020 with a completely digital Google Slides version of the activity! You can share this version with your students on Google Classroom and it can be facilitated digitally whether in-person or remote!

You may also be interested in these resources:

DNA Structure Inquiry Modeling Activity

DNA Structure Cornell Doodle Notes and Powerpoint

(or get both as part of the DNA Structure and Replication 5E Lesson)

Thanks for looking!

Sunrise Science