SHOTS 2008 Advisor: Dr. Dinitra White

Forensics LabTierra SimmonsArielle Thomas

Forensic Science

• Who: Forensic Scientists. Detectives, CIA

• What: gathering of evidence to analyze and use in a legal setting

• Where: crime scenes, hospitals, etc

• Why: determine identity of criminals, paternity testing, etchttp://www.paxcam.com/i

mgs/library/6/mixed_animal_fibers.jpg

Victim• Alana Gotti• Brooklyn, New York• 29 years old• 5’3” tall, Pecan complexion, Dark

brown eyes, Dark brown hair/honey highlights

• Mother of two, Divorced 2005• Brutally stabbed to death outside of

apartment • Time of Death:12:11 a.m. June 17,

2008

Alana Gotti

Suspect 1: Ex-Husband

• Aiden Morris• Queens, New York• 31 years old• 6’ tall, Cocoa complexion, Dark brown

eyes, dark brown hair• Father of 1 of victim’s children• Reportedly stalked victim 2 months

prior to death • Behind on child support payments

Aiden Morris

Suspect 2:Girlfriend

• Marissa Smith• Queens, New York• 27 years old• 5’ tall, Pecan complexion, Dark brown

eyes, Brown hair/ honey colored highlights

• Has been living with Mr. Morris for six months, was unable to provide sufficient alibi

• Currently 3 months pregnant by Mr. Morris

Marissa Smith

Techniques

• DNA Fingerprinting– Criminal investigations– Used to detect specific sequences

of DNA

• Restriction Digest

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http://www.molecularstation.com/w/images/2/2d/Restriction-digestion-stick.gif

Gel Electrophoresis

Results

• First Lane: Control

• Second Lane: Sample of blood

• Third Lane: Suspect

1 2 3

Who do you think did it?

Aiden Morris

Marissa Smith

CASE CLOSED