Document Type



Rappahannock Community College

Publication Date

Spring 2018


In the subject of forensic science and crime scene investigation, DNA has become more valuable than ever in providing crucial information for investigators. As the number of wrongful convictions decreases and the number of exonerations increases, DNA testing is the answer to accurately solving crimes. The purpose of this experiment was to study whether or not fluorescent tagging would be an effective method of identifying and separating male and female cells. It sought to determine if immunofluorescence can be applied to forensic science and technology. Rather than spending time sorting through the victim’s DNA in order to get to the perpetrator’s DNA, the suspect could be identified quickly and the case would come to a close. In this study, each cell count showed fluorescence, but most did not show enough fluorescence to meet the 75% threshold set for efficacy. The ideal forensic science identification method is one that is quick and easy to use in the field and eliminates error as much as possible. If an effective method of fluorescently tagging female cells for the purpose of separating genetic evidence is developed and modified as necessary, it could be the key to solving crimes where there is minimal evidence beyond the DNA samples.


Reilly Price won the 2nd place Spring 2018 Student Research Paper Award from the Rappahannock Community College Library for this paper.



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