MdBioLab - Laboratory Activities -Wildlife Forensics

Wildlife Forensics

Specifications

  • Skill Level: Basic
  • Focus: Genetics, forensics, environmental science
  • Time: 60 – 70 minutes
  • Restrictions:None

Key Words

DNA, PCR, electrophoresis, fins, great white, porbeagle, forensics, wildlife, unidentified, species, primers, technicians, amplify, Shivji, customs, polymerase, law enforcement, controls, soup, UV, fragments

Summary

Shark fins, which are often used in soups, are in incredible demand in Asia. Due to dwindling shark populations, the U.S. government protects certain species, like the great white, and has made it illegal to hunt and trade them. Unfortunately, bringing those who illegally hunt great white sharks to justice is not an easy task. It is often impossible to visually identify what species a shark fin belongs to, especially when the fins have been dried and processed.

Shark fins, which are often used in soups, are in incredible demand in Asia. Due to dwindling shark populations, the U.S. government protects certain species, like the great white, and has made it illegal to hunt and trade them. Unfortunately, bringing those who illegally hunt great white sharks to justice is not an easy task. It is often impossible to visually identify what species a shark fin belongs to, especially when the fins have been dried and processed.

Objectives:

Upon completion of Wildlife Forensics students will be able to:

Pre-Laboratory

  • explain how PCR can be used to amplify specific fragments of DNA
  • explain how gel electrophoresis can be used to separate DNA

Laboratory

  • describe how the illegal shark trade is effecting the great white shark population
  • classify a shark as a great white or not based upon the PCR results and gel electrophoresis

Post-Laboratory

  • draw a diagram illustrating the importance of great white sharks in the marine ecosystem
  • support the connections between biotechnology and conservation efforts

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