Week 70 Forensic Science Geek of the Week is Announced

The Forensic Science Geek of the Week

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The week 70 “www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek of the Week” honors goes to: Mehul B. Anjaria

According to the website of Geek, the following is offered:

MBA DNA Consulting, LLC was founded with the goal of providing a bridge between science and the law. While forensic science is in theory science applied to matters of the law, it may only answer questions posed by one interest. I have come to realize that technical knowledge, skills, and abilities even when coupled with excellent presentation skills, do not make one a good consultant. It is in fact the ability for the scientific consultant to actually adopt the mindset of the attorney and understand the specific pragmatic goals of the consultation… Prior to founding MBA DNA Consulting, LLC I was involved in establishing California’s first ASCLD/LAB-International accredited forensic DNA laboratory. I am also interested in lending my expertise to organizations wishing to establish a DNA laboratory and/or attain ASCLD/LAB-International accreditation.” Among his listed services that he offers includes: DNA case file review, Witnessing of laboratory DNA testing, Expert witness DNA testimony, Assistance with DNA direct/cross-examination questions, Review of expert witness DNA testimony, Pro per DNA assistance and DNA Education/training. His resume is available here: Click here for the CV of Mehul B. Anjaria

Congratulations to our Forensic Science Geek of the Week winner!

OFFICIAL QUESTION:

: Forensic Science Geek of the Week Challenge

1. Identify this piece of equipment

2. Basically, how does this work?

Our Geek of the Week answered:

This is an Applied Biosystems 3130 Genetic Analyzer. It is a capillary electrophoresis instrument that is used in DNA analysis. DNA fragments labeled with fluorescent tags during the PCR process travel through the instrument’s capillary under the influence of electrical charge. A laser is shone through a window in the capillary causing the fluorescent-labeled DNA to give off a signal that the instrument can detect. The output of the instrument showing ‘peaks’ indicating DNA detected is called an electropherogram. The instrument separates DNA fragments by size.

The 3130 can run 4 DNA samples simultaneously in 4 capillaries. There are other variations of this sort of instrument with less and more throughput potential. The ‘raw’ data from the instrument is further processed through software so that the analyst can determine the DNA types of crime scene samples and known samples. The instrument is also used in DNA sequencing for applications such as mitochondrial DNA testing.

[BLOGGER’S NOTE: What a great answer. Thank you for participating. Congratulations on being our Geek of the Week.]

The Hall of Fame for the www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek of the Week:

Week 1: Chuck Ramsay, Esquire

Week 2: Rick McIndoe, PhD

Week 3: Christine Funk, Esquire

Week 4: Stephen Daniels

Week 5: Stephen Daniels

Week 6: Richard Middlebrook, Esquire

Week 7: Christine Funk, Esquire

Week 8: Ron Moore, B.S., J.D.

Week 9: Ron Moore, B.S., J.D.

Week 10: Kelly Case, Esquire and Michael Dye, Esquire