Weekly Genetics Quiz #50: Forensic DNA Testing
Where has the time gone? This week’s genetics quiz is the 50th we’ve had since the start of Genetics and Health in April 2005. There’s no doubt that there will be enough questions to keep this series going for quite a while. If you have any burning genetics questions, let me know. I’ll do my best to find you an answer!
This week’s genetics quiz question is about forensic DNA testing:
Why can’t DNA samples and other biological specimens for DNA testing be packaged in plastic?
(Maybe CSI fans already know the answer.)
Answer from the Missouri Highway Patrol :
Biological specimens inherently harbor bacteria. Bacteria grow in warm and moist environments. Packaging biological specimens in plastic would encourage bacterial growth by allowing the specimen to stay warm and moist, a greenhouse effect. Packaging in paper (or cardboard) will allow the specimen to breathe and will take away the one thing that bacteria need most, moisture. Packaging in paper and keeping the specimen cold (or frozen) is the most suitable way to attenuate bacterial growth.
So there you have it!
Technorati Tags: quizzes, genetics, forensics, forensic lab, crime lab, genes, dna
Hello I answered that up at CSIFanatics based on my knowledge, it’s not that complete but somehow close.
Milo: LOL So you didn’t cheat after all. I thought you peeked at the answer here first.
Nice quiz.
As a physician who’s developing a strong interest in genetics–especially pharmacogenetics–I recently had the opportunity to visit a DNA lab and observe the processing and analysis of a forensic sample. You can read about it in my blog.
Here’s my quiz question for all of you: what’s the first thing you before entering a DNA lab?