Molecular Genetics
What is the structure of DNA that allows it to store genetic information?
Double helix
What percentage of DNA do you inherit from each parent?
50%
What is the nickname given to the unidentified murderer before his arrest?
The Golden State Killer
What does a DNA match percentage indicate?
Degree of relatedness
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic acid
What type of bonds hold complementary base pairs together?
Hydrogen Bonds
Why do relatives share segments of DNA?
Because of inheritance through common ancestors
Who was the Golden State Killer?
Joseph DeAngelo
Why are partial matches important in genealogy?
What is something (other than crime) people commonly used DNA tests for?
Ancestry / finding relatives
Which nitrogenous bases pair together in DNA?
A-T and C-G
What happens to shared DNA as relatives become more distant?
What state were the crimes committed?
California
What tool do investigators use after finding matches?
Family trees/Pedigree analysis
If you never took a DNA test, could your DNA still be used to identify you?
Yes (through relatives)
A population's rare allele frequencies can change over generations due to random events, which may affect how likely a genetic match is in forensic analysis. This is called...
Genetic drift
On average, what percent of DNA is shared between first cousins?
About 14.4%
What was the public database used?
GEDmatch
What additional data helps narrow suspects?
Age, location, and historical records
What base pairs with adenine in DNA?
Thymine
Why are SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) useful in genetic identification?
They vary between individuals and can act as genetic markers
A cross between two heterozygous individuals typically produces this phenotypic ratio.
3:1
After the case closed, what major issue raised by using genealogy databases in criminal cases?
Genetic privacy
Why is combining genetic and demographic data effective?
It increases accuracy in identifying individuals
What percent of DNA do humans share with each other?
About 99.9%