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Micropipette
The micropipette is used widely in forensics as a way to accurately transfer liquids from one source to another.
Example: A forensics lab technician might use a micropipette to transfer a set amount of a blood sample from original collecting device to an eppendorf tube, preparing to be centrifuge the sample.
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High Power Comparison Microscope
A Comparison Microscope is used to compare samples, as you can see, this one has two stages for comparing two slides at the same time. This microscope is capable of very high power magnification.
Example: A forensics lab technician might use a Comparison Microscope to identify subtle differences between two soil samples found on a victim's clothes and on a suspect. |
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Gel Electrophoresis Equipment
Gel electrophoresis is used widely in forensics, mainly for separation and comparison of fragments of DNA.
Example: A forensics lab technician might use Gel Electrophoresis to separate and identify strands of DNA for a DNA Fingerprint. |
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Centrifuge
A centrifuge is used to separate a mixture based on mass. The samples are loaded into tubes and spun at high speed, thereby using centrifugal force to force the heavier items in the sample to the bottom of the tubes.
Example: A forensics lab technician might use a centrifuge to separate a blood sample into it's main parts: red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasmid. |
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Safety Goggles
Many areas of the biotechnical lab can be very dangerous, lab technitions are required to wear safety glasses, to protect their eyes, during all procedures.
Example: A forensics lab technician uses safety goggles every day to protect his/her eyes. |
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Laminar Flow Hood
The flow hood is used to provide a clean work area to carry out procedure where sterility is a concern. Filtered air travels from the back of the hood, towards the front, blocking any outside air from entering the hood. Passes government standards for clean lab environment.
Example: A forensics lab technician is required to prepare sterile bacteria plates with cultures found at the scene of a crime. |
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UV Spectrophotometer
An advanced UV spectrophotometer is able to determine the concentration of DNA suspended in a TE buffer. This can be useful in verifying that purified DNA is of a purity that can be presented in legal proceedings.
Example: A forensics lab tests every DNA sample they produce to make sure that it is pure and of good concentration. |
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Thermocycler
A thermocycler is used to duplicate DNA in a lab environment. It is used in PCR analysis to copy small fragments of DNA.
Example: A forensics team finds a hair follicle on a victim's clothing, since this sample only contains a small amount of DNA, they take it to a forensics lab and duplicate this DNA using a thermocycler. |
