Activity 1
COLLECTING DNA EVIDENCE
Show Explorers the following video: “How to Properly Swab DNA Evidence at a Crime Scene” (National Forensic Academy)—www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HPeZWGtjD0.
Then have each Explorer follow this procedure:
- Put on a pair of protective gloves.
- Place a couple of drops of blood or a reddish-brown liquid or substance that has a consistency similar to blood onto a surface such as a countertop or onto an object such as a pencil and allow it to dry.
- Moisten a cotton swab with a drop or two of water and rub it on the edge of the stain until a visible transfer has taken place; do not consume the entire evidence sample.
- Take a second swab and swab the inside of the cheek of another Explorer; this is called a buccal swab and this is what is used to compare the DNA from a suspect to the DNA extracted from an evidence stain (blood, semen, saliva, etc.).
- Dispose of the swabs and clean the bloodstain from the surface or object that it was deposited on.