Statistics and Probability in Evaluation of DNA Evidence
A CIBT Lab Exercise in Molecular Biology
In this lab students will apply statistical analysis to the DNA profiling results of an actual rape case. This lab is an extension of DNA profiling labs which students have previously completed. In part I of this exercise, students will use sets of candy to represent alleles in a particular population at a particular locus. They will sample “alleles” from “populations” at three “loci”, estimate frequencies of alleles in those samples and calculate probabilities of particular combinations of alleles.
Life Sciences, High School, Honors, or Advanced Placement Biology.
- Teacher prep: minimal.
- In class: Two 40 minute period. This time will also include a discussion of principles with your students.
- autorad facsimilies
- sample autoradiograph
Price: No Charge
Martha Hamblin, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Nancy Wright, Honeoye Central School, Honeoye, NY