A weapon (W) left behind at a crime scene is typed for a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR). The DNA from the weapon includes bands from the victim (V) as well as those from the perpetrator. Which of the suspects A-E has VNTR bands that are consistent with those of the perpetrator?

Question

A weapon (W) left behind at a crime scene is typed for a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR). The DNA from the weapon includes bands from the victim (V) as well as those from the perpetrator.  Which of the suspects A-E has VNTR bands that are consistent with those of the perpetrator?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To determine which suspect has VNTR bands consistent with those of the perpetrator, we need to compare the DNA from the weapon to the DNA of each suspect. The VNTR bands of the perpetrator will match those found in the weapon.

Comparing the VNTR bands found in the weapon (11eab3ac_dcb7_c8be_be6e_51dc0f85a390_TB5080_00) to those of suspect A (f6ab3ac_dcb7_c8be_be6e_51dc0f85a390_TB5080_01), we can see that they differ in the first two positions.

Comparing the VNTR bands found in the weapon to those of suspect B (11eab3ac_dcb7_c8be_be6e_51dc0f85a390_TB5080_00), we can see that they match exactly. Therefore, suspect B is the best match and likely the perpetrator.

Comparing the VNTR bands found in the weapon to those of suspects C, D, and E (b6ab3ac_dcb7_c8be_be6e_51dc0f85a390_TB5080_00, 11eab3ad_dcb7_c8be_be6e_51dc0f85a390_TB5080_00, and 11eab3bc_dcb7_c8be_be6e_51dc0f85a390_TB5080_00, respectively), we can see that they differ in various positions. Therefore, they are not consistent with the perpetrator's VNTR bands.

A Weapon (W) Left Behind at a Crime Scene Is