Basic science as it applies to forensic analysis

Rebecca Hailey, Florida State College - Jacksonville Chemistry

Yousef Hijji, Morgan State U ChemistryRachel Mohr, WVU Forensic Science

Martin Overly, WVU Forensic ScienceElizabeth Pollock, Richard Stockton College of NJ,

ChemistryJacqueline Speir, WVU Forensic Science

Shuo Wei, WVU Biology

Target audience

• Introductory biology• Second semester general chemistry• Second semester general, organic, biological

chemistry• Sophomore level forensic science students

Learning goals and outcomes

Learning Goals• Students will learn about

enzyme binding and specificity

• Will understand the role of inhibitors

• Apply knowledge to novel situation

Learning Outcomes• Will be able to predict reactions

between given enzymes and substrates

• Will be able to interpret enzyme assay test results

• Will be able to predict the consequences of the addition of an inhibitor

• Will be able to relate the theoretical understanding of enzymes to real life applications

What do we need to know to solve this case?

What do we know about saliva?

How is it different from other body fluids?

Which of the following components of saliva should we target for detection?

A. WaterB. Salts C. CarbohydratesD. Food particlesE. Salivary enzymes = amylase

Demonstration of Phadebas test for the presence of amylase

Which of the following is a positive test for saliva?

How enzymes workIdentify the components a-d

enzyme substrateactive site product

How enzymes workIdentify the components a-d

enzyme (e.g. amylase)

substrateactive site product

How enzymes workIdentify the components a-d

enzyme (e.g. amylase)

Substrate (e.g. starch)

active site product

How enzymes workIdentify the components a-d

enzyme (e.g. amylase)

substrate (e.g. starch)

active site

product

How enzymes workIdentify the components a-d

enzyme (e.g. amylase)

substrate (e.g. starch)

active site

product

animation

Which one(s) of the following contains molecules which can serve as

substrates for amylase?

A. ButterB. Dietary fiber/celluloseC. Jolly RanchersD. Egg whitesE. Potato chips

Has the suspect been cleared, or looking increasingly guilty?

Pharmaceutical case study

You are a scientist at a pharmaceutical company and you are tasked with coming up with a pill that will mimic the Atkins diet (but, still allowing dieters to consume carbohydrates). What do you need to know to do your job?