Use DNA Fingerprinting to Solve a Mystery #2: Long-Lost Dog

Reunite a family and their long-lost dog with the help of DNA testing! In this worksheet, students will follow along as Shivani, a forensic scientist, uses gel electrophoresis to test DNA samples from a family’s lost dog and a new pink poodle. Once Shivani processes the samples, young scientists will compare DNA fingerprints to determine if the pink-furred pup is really the family’s missing dog! 

This middle-school worksheet is a great addition to lessons about genetics and DNA. Students can learn about gel electrophoresis, an actual method scientists use to analyze DNA samples, all while solving a mystery! Learners will also practice reading diagrams and analyzing experiment results.

Learn more about the process of DNA fingerprinting with Gel Electrophoresis and DNA Fingerprinting. Students can put their mystery-solving skills to the test again with the two other worksheets in this series: Use DNA Fingerprinting to Solve a Mystery #1: Ice Cream Scene and Use DNA Fingerprinting to Solve a Mystery #3: A Sour Flower.