It’s a Mystery! The Case of the Scientist Slayer Katelin Eastman, Kelsey Moore, Hannah Stork, and Natalie Hansen Period 2 istockphoto.com

It was a dark and windy night… All the professors at Monarch University appeared to have gone home. All, that is, except those in (and acquainted with) the Monarch science department. Their raging party, hosted by the infamous Dr. Doodles Donley, could be heard echoing throughout the halls of the prestigious university…

Suddenly... Guests began to leave (slowly at first), but after a while, those who could not hold the orange marmalade were forced to quickly vacate the area. The only guests who remained were Dr. Lazarus Dangerkitty, Dr. Sloopy Stretch, Dr. Sandro Music, and Dr. Red Walrus

Meanwhile… The great geniuses at the Secret Science Squad (S.S.S.) received a frantic phone call CALLER: Please…send someone…anyone…help…Donley…d dddead…quickly. The wind that night was so strong that the call was interrupted and sporadic. pnwfireprevention.com

AGENT MOORE: Oh no! We have to help them. Dr. Donley is dead! AGENT STORK: Hansen, prepare our Secret Science Speedracer – we’ll have to get there as fast as we can. AGENT HANSEN: Right away, Stork. Perhaps we should take the Secret Science Spaceship instead – it can go up to 500 mph. We’ll be able to get there in.025 seconds. AGENT STORK: Of course! How could I forget the Spaceship?

The agents flew at great speed, eventually arriving at the crime scene in no time at all. AGENT MOORE: By golly! We almost forgot Eastman. Where is that wily scientist? AGENT EASTMAN: Right here, Moore. I was just preparing some sacs for our evidence. Then we can run some tests. Here’s an outline for our eventual report – now all we have to do is fill in the blanks. AGENTS: Let’s crack this case… AGENT HANSEN: …The Case of the Scientist Slayer.

On the Trail of a Killer  The geniuses of the S.S.S. entered the lab and spent careful time collecting every piece of evidence, even the most trivial of items.  The following is an accurate account of what they discovered. blog.recyber.com

Evidence  The Secret Science Squad encountered lots of blood at the scene of the crime, both on Dr. Donley and the insurance policy.  After swabbing and analyzing the samples, they found two blood types; O+ and B+.  People with O+: Walrus, Sheetburger, Moose.  People with B+: Powers, Dangerkitty  Donley has O+, there is a possibility of this sample being her blood.

Prints  Three glasses had lip prints on them at the party  They matched the lips of Donley, Music, and Dangerkitty  Fingerprints were found on the incubator in Donley’s lab as well as on test tubes  The fingerprints belonged to One Eyed Pete and Dr. Donley  Fingerprints were also found on goggles in the lab, belonging to Dr. Kelvin High

Autopsy Report  Dr. Donley was poisoned by Cyanide found in her cocktail.  Time of death is estimated to be between 10 and 11 p.m.  Blood not belonging to Dr. Donley was found on her right hand, beneath her fingernails, and on her clothes.

Other Evidence  Dog hair was also found at the crime scene. Dr. Dangerkitty, Dr. Music, and Dr. Walrus all have dogs.  There was also a crumpled letter at the crime scene…perhaps a love letter…ooohhhh….  There was also a ripped out diary page  The room smelled faintly of almonds

What next?  How, you ask, do the geniuses of the S.S.S. interpret this evidence? It’s really quite simple (if you’re a genius)  There are several techniques that the agents use, including, but not limited to: DNA Fingerprinting, ELISA Tests, fingerprint analysis, and blood tests.

Blood Typing  A person’s blood type is classified based on the presence or absence of inherited antigenic substances (proteins,carbohydrates, glycoproteins, or glycolipids)  Blood type is inherited from one’s parents and is controlled by multiple alleles  The ABO blood group system and the Rhesus blood group system are the most common Antigen A = type A Antigen B = type B blood No antigens = type O blood Antigens A and B = type AB RhD present = positive RhD absent = negative

Blood Type Chart Blood type is partially determined by the ABO blood group antigens present on red blood cells.

DNA Fingerprinting  DNA fingerprinting is a process to show relatedness or identity of individual humans, plants, or animals.  Every person is not only genetically different but also different in their introns.  It analyzes STR (single tandem) repeats which are four to six base pairs long and repeat on specific chromosomal loci. By determining the odds of a certain STR repeat, suspects can be eliminated.

DNA fingerprinting scenarios  Food identification  Accused and convicted felons  Identifying human remains  Paternity tests  Identifying pathogens

DNA Fingerprint Procedure 1.Obtain samples from the crime scene and suspects and place in test tubes 2.Add 10 microliters of enzyme mix ENZ into the bottom of each tube 3.Mix the components 4.Incubate the tubes at 37 degrees Celsius for 45 minutes. 5.Prepare agarose gel for electrophoresis 6.Load 15 microliters of each sample into the wells of the gel and record their order. 7.Place the lid on the elcetrophoresis chamber, plug in the jacks to the base, and turn on the power for 30 minutes at 100 volts. 8.Finish the process of electrophoresis (described elsewhere) 9.Analyze results

DNA Fingerprint Lab analysis  The DNA at the crime scene matched that of Suspect Three, Dr. Red Walrus, because the STR repeats shown by electrophoresis were identical. Hmmm…I think the S.S.S. is on to something

ELISA Tests  Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests rely on antibodies to detect the presence of antigens in liquid samples.  They provide agents with the ability to detect minute amounts of disease agents in samples (usually body fluids)

Uses for ELISA tests  Detection of… Smallpox West Nile HIV coat protein p24 SARS Anthrax spores Hormones Steroids Bacteria

ELISA Procedure 1.Add sample and control samples to wells in a microplate strip 2.Incubate for 5 minutes 3.Add primary antibody to the wells and incubate 4.Detect the bound antibodies with an HRP-labeled secondary antibody 5.Add enzyme substrate to the wells 6.Wait 5 minutes 7.Analyze wells  If the well turns blue, there antigen is present  If the well is colorless, there is no antigen

ELISA Lab analysis After conducting the ELISA test on the evidence, the agents of the S.S.S. came to the following conclusion: DR. RED WALRUS HAS SMALLPOX

Smallpox – The Disease  Smallpox is a serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious disease. There is no specific treatment for smallpox disease, and the only prevention is vaccination. The name smallpox is derived from the Latin word for "spotted" and refers to the raised bumps that appear on the face and body of an infected person.  There are two clinical forms of smallpox. Variola major is the severe and most common form of smallpox, with a more extensive rash and higher fever. There are four types of variola major smallpox: ordinary (the most frequent type, accounting for 90% or more of cases); modified (mild and occurring in previously vaccinated persons); flat; and hemorrhagic (both rare and very severe). Historically, variola major has an overall fatality rate of about 30%; however, flat and hemorrhagic smallpox usually are fatal. Variola minor is a less common presentation of smallpox, and a much less severe disease, with death rates historically of 1% or less.  Smallpox outbreaks have occurred from time to time for thousands of years, but the disease is now eradicated after a successful worldwide vaccination program. The last case of smallpox in the United States was in The last naturally occurring case in the world was in Somalia in After the disease was eliminated from the world, routine vaccination against smallpox among the general public was stopped because it was no longer necessary for prevention.

Smallpox (cont’d) Where Smallpox Comes From  Smallpox is caused by the variola virus that emerged in human populations thousands of years ago. Except for laboratory stockpiles, the variola virus has been eliminated. However, in the aftermath of the events of September and October, 2001, there is heightened concern that the variola virus might be used as an agent of bioterrorism. For this reason, the U.S. government is taking precautions for dealing with a smallpox outbreak.

Smallpox - Transmission Transmission  Generally, direct and fairly prolonged face-to-face contact is required to spread smallpox from one person to another. Smallpox also can be spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects such as bedding or clothing. Rarely, smallpox has been spread by virus carried in the air in enclosed settings such as buildings, buses, and trains. Humans are the only natural hosts of variola. Smallpox is not known to be transmitted by insects or animals.  A person with smallpox is sometimes contagious with onset of fever (prodrome phase), but the person becomes most contagious with the onset of rash. At this stage the infected person is usually very sick and not able to move around in the community. The infected person is contagious until the last smallpox scab falls off.

The plot thickens…  After much time and deliberation, the S.S.S. felt that they had gathered sufficient evidence to begin questioning the suspects.  Many resisted their inquiries, but were dismissed because of strong alibis. There were only four who caught the attention of the agents.

Prime Suspects  Dr. Lazarus Dangerkitty  Dr. Red Walrus  Dr. Sandro Music  Dr. Sloopy Stretch

DR. LAZARUS DANGERKITTY  ALIBI: “I was in my lab until 11:30…all alone. Just me and my plastic robo-cats! Only the security guard saw me leave.”  MOTIVE: “I didn’t like her, not one bit. (heh, heh, heh) She stole all of my ingenious lab ideas!”  OTHER NOTES: It appears that Dr. Dangerkitty suffers from multiple personality disorder and has hints of bipolar mood swings.

DR. RED WALRUS  ALIBI: “I was at school in my lab. Alone, all alone I tell you!”  MOTIVE: (evil laugh) “I love it that she’s dead! Now my world is complete. Dr. Donley was always after my stinky brew, but now no one will be able to get it!!!!!! The Nobel Prize is now in my reach. I can see it now - me, the prize, and my dogs. You ask why I need my brew? What is it exactly? That you will never know, only that it is for all the voices in my head! (Muah ha ha!)  OTHER NOTES: Walrus seemed very nervous and exhibited the signs of the early stages of schizophrenia.

DR. SANDRO MUSIC  ALIBI: “11:00, hmmm…oh yes, I was giving my 3 year old a bath, she had a run-in with chocolate syrup.”  MOTIVE: “I’m glad that Donley is dead, however, I am saddened that the scientific community has lost one of its most brilliant minds. But yes, I’m glad she’s gone because Donley had no appreciation for the finer things in life, like music (tra la la).”  OTHER NOTES: Claimed she would never kill and has two very furry dogs

Dr. Sloopy Stretch  ALIBI: (NOTE: AGENT STORK has a hidden talent for detecting lies and informed us that Stretch was speaking in a juvenile language called “Opposite”) “I was at home, I wasn’t outside her window looking in. Yep, it was just me and my cat DonLee, we weren’t peeping at her…”  OTHER NOTES: Stretch was in Donley’s lab after hours. It seems that he was satisfying his huffing habits and was contributing to his obvious sick adoration of Dr. Donley. It appears as if he was “fondling her pencils.”

So…What really happened?  After many sleepless nights, the geniuses of the S.S.S. came to their final conclusion. We now join the story where we left off…

Prior to the phone call… “Achoo,” snorted Donley, causing her drink to crash to the floor. “My allergies are acting up again. I haven’t sneezed this hard since I gave away my dog, Doug. Did someone let an animal in here?” The eyes of Walrus, Dangerkitty, and Music casually shifted to the ground, affixed to the intricate designs of the lab’s floor tiles. No one could ever find out that they had stray dog hairs on their lab coats.

Walrus saw his opportunity to act. “Donley,” he casually addressed the scientist who had stolen his chances of winning the Nobel Prize, “let me get you another drink.” He nervously staggered to the mock wet-bar, making sure to turn his back to his arch-nemesis. After all, he wouldn’t want to give away the secret ingredient to his fabulous concoction. Some people might react negatively toward him if they knew he kept cyanide on hand…

Donley slowly bent down to pick up the broken glass on the floor. “Here, Donley, let me help you with that,” said Dangerkitty. “Ouch! Ughh. I cut myself on the glass, now there’s blood on the floor!” “Don’t worry,” whispered Donley. “I’ll clean that up later.”

Sloopy Stretch had been waiting for the right time to speak to his secret love, and now seemed to be his last chance of the night. “Dearest Doodles,” he cooed, “I’ve waited so long to tell you that…that…” His lips hesitated and he had to peek at his notes on a page torn from his diary. “…oh, Doodles. I love you. I confess! Here, read this, it explains all of my feelings.” Donley’s wary fingers took the letter and began to tear it open.

“Oh Don-l-ey!” A singsong voice of insanity called out her name. “Here’s that drink you wanted.” Walrus’ beady eyes concentrated on her lips as she slowly raised them to her glass. “Wait!” interrupted Dr. Sandro Music, it was the first time that she had spoken in minutes. “I want to know what the letter says. Read that first!”

Donley also wanted to know what her secret lover wished to express, so she quickly scanned the lines of the dirty and revealing letter. “You creep!” she shouted, and began to rip the paper to shreds, each time tearing a piece of Stretch’s heart. “How can I possibly go on working with you? Get out! Now!” It was at that moment that Donley decided to seek comfort in her cocktail. She raised it to her lips in a quick gesture, obviously directing her anger at Stretch toward the nearest inanimate object.

As she began to steadily drink from the cool, refreshing cocktail, the invader known as cyanide crept into her system and shut down her electron transport chain, preventing her from making ATP to carry out normal functions. “AHHH,” screamed Music. “What have you done to her! You’ve killed a brilliant mind! She was about to help me with my project and look what you did!” Music’s red eyes glowered down upon the guilty Walrus, yet his muddled mind could not have cared less. “Stretch, Dangerkitty, someone…help her…save her.”

“No! No one will help you in your noble pursuits” cackled Walrus. “We all wanted her dead. I wanted her dead so I could win the Nobel Prize. Stretch wanted her dead so that he can touch her without her fighting back. Dangerkitty wanted his lab ingredients back, he didn’t want his precious ideas stolen.” Walrus became giddy, he was so taken with his clever plan that he started to dance around, pull out his hair, and dizzy himself in an effort to celebrate. He didn’t even notice that everyone else had fled the scene.

Just then, the tip of Walrus’ elbow brushed against one of Donley’s top-secret test tubes, as if in slow motion. It crashed to the ground, exposing the substance (smallpox) to Walrus. He screamed and the hysteria mounted as Walrus shot out of the laboratory, carrying his pot of brew within the grasp of his sweaty, guilty palms.

It was only a matter of days for the S.S.S. to discover the guilty parties.

Dr. Red Walrus… Dr. Red Walrus, on the edge of a nervous breakdown, easily gave up. He pleaded guilty because of insanity and was sent to a home. They let him bring his stinky brew, which turned out to be a rare form of almond juice.

Dr. Sandro Music Dr. Sandro Music was let off the hook because she was the one who called the S.S.S. for help and had no motivation to kill such a brilliant scientist.

Dr. Sloopy Stretch Dr. Sloopy Stretch was not convicted of murder, but was punished for stalking Dr. Donley. He has since acquired a new love.

Dr. Lazarus Dangerkitty Dr. Lazarus Dangerkitty fled from the scene and was unable to be located by the S.S.S. (this is very hard to do because the S.S.S. is composed of geniuses). Some speculate that he ran off with his robo-cats and is now the leader of the Robo-Cat Cult (R.C.C.)

…and the S.S.S. Agents Moore, Eastman, Stork, and Hansen of the S.S.S. became famed crime detectives. In fact, they made so much money that they decided to retire early and are now living on remote islands around the world.

Case Closed