Exoneree Project Using DNA
Before we did this project we did some labs in class in order to explore the four steps in DNA processing so we could better understand and connect to our exonerees. Our first lab was collecting DNA, to do this we rinsed our mouths out with gatorade to collect our cheek cells, we spit the gathered cells into a PCR tube. We then used a lysis buffer solution to break down the cell walls to release the DNA strands, which we then used a alcohol solution to isolate them. This process is the first step in DNA processing and it is know as isolation.
The next lab we did in class was a web-based virtual lab we used this lab to explore the next step to DNA processing and that is amplification. DNA is amplified through a process known as PCR (polymerase chain reaction.) Isolated DNA is put in a PCR tube along with two primers, nucleotides, and DNA polymerase. The tube is then put through a heating and cooling process which triggers DNA replication by DNA polymerase. DNA polymerase reads DNA markers. The polymerase finds the markers primers. This process is done multiple times in order to create millions of copies of DNA markers.
The next lab we did was doing our own electrophoresis gels. We used real DNA samples to determine a perpetrator to a fictorious crime. DNA is separated through electrophoresism where amplified DNA is places into an aragrose gel, then a salt buffer solution is poured over the top, which serves as a conductor of positive electricity, since DNA is negatively charged the salt solution is able to separate the DNA strands, Once the DNA markers are separated the size of the markers and the patterns they create can be compared to DNA evidence found at the crime scene. This whole step of DNA processing is know as separation/analyzation.
These DNA technologies are able to exonerate those who have been wrongfully convicted. Because in case such as rape DNA is collected from both the victim and the convicted prisoner and from other evidence. That collected DNA is then preserved. We are now able to go back to that preserved DNA and re look at the evidence and test it to see if that can be used to get an innocent person out of jail.
McKinley Cromedy was an exoneree I and my partner chose to do our project on, he was a man wrongfully convicted for crimes he did not committ. He was prosecuted for sexual assult, robbery, teroist threats, and burglary he was sentenced to 60 years in prison based off of eye witness misidentification. He only server 5 however because he was able to be exonerated. DNA evidence was collected at the crime scene but it was not used in the trial, when the case reopened the evidence not only proved McKinely innocent, but it showed that he wasn't even present at the crime scene.
We presented McKinley Cromedy in our project by making both a tape sculpture and a video visual. Our sculpture was displayed in a jail cell, with DNA strands as the jail bars and a little light inside the jail with the prisoner. The DNA strands represented the bars that will soon release him from the prison, they are DNA strands and not jail bars because McKinley does not deserve to locking in by real jail bars. The light represents the truth he has to hold on to in order to really be ok in the dark cold jail cell that of which he doesnt belong.
I learned a lot about DNA and how we can used DNA to help innocent people out of jail through DNA processing, I also learned each step of the DNA processiing from both the labs and rom just re reading the process over and over again.
I really connected to the project from all of the aspects included in the project i was able to better understand science from this project and learn how science can be used in the real world. I was able to personally connect to the project becase i haver had family member wrongfully convicted and exonerated in the past so is was really cool to fet an idea on how that was probably abloe to happen for them. And artistically i have always been really connected to art, it comes naturally for me. So it was nice to apply that piece of myself to this project and yet again make another strong statement to the comunity using art.
I am very proud of the work i have done for this prject i feel like in the end everything came togeth and i was able to challenge myself and gain new organization skills to be specific.
If i were to do this project again i think i wouln't change anything honestly maybe add some kind of symbols on the tape sculpture maybe some words to represent the emotions McKinley must have felt.
Thank You.