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Home → Teach Evolution → Lessons and Teaching Tools → Teaching Resources Database → Evo in the news: Evolution at the scene of the crime

Evo in the news: Evolution at the scene of the crime

Grade Level(s):

  • 9-12
  • 13-16
  • General

Source:

  • UC Museum of Paleontology

Resource type:

  • Evo in the News article

Time: 15 minutes

Overview

This news brief, from March 2006, describes how DNA fingerprinting is being used to prosecute and exonerate the accused. DNA fingerprinting relies on the processes of mutation and genome evolution.

Go to this resource »

  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] Some traits of organisms are not adaptive.
  • [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] Some traits of organisms are not adaptive.
  • [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] Evolution results from genetic drift acting upon genetic variation within a population.
  • [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Evolution results from genetic drift acting upon genetic variation within a population.
  • [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Scientists can test ideas about events and processes long past, very distant, and not directly observable.
  • [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] Scientists can test ideas about events and processes long past, very distant, and not directly observable.
  • [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] As with other scientific disciplines, evolutionary biology has applications that factor into everyday life.
  • [Studying evolution: Grades 13-16] As with other scientific disciplines, evolutionary biology has applications that factor into everyday life, for example in agriculture, biodiversity and conservation biology, and medicine and health.

There are no NGSS/DCI concepts currently linked to this resource.

This article includes a set of discussion and extension questions for use in class. It also includes hints about related lessons that might be used in conjunction with this one. Get more tips for using Evo in the News articles in your classroom.

Additional teaching tips for 13-16:
Use this resource to relate evolutionary concepts to the topic of biotechnology (or get more suggestions for incorporating evolution throughout your biology syllabus).