Abstract

Catching the Perfect Serial Killer: How Bacterial Evidence Can Advance a Forensic Investigation is a short story and process statement that serves to bring attention to the forensic possibilities that the field application of bacterial evidence presents. This project also allows individuals not familiar with the field to have a better understanding as to how bacterial evidence could be used to link a perpetrator to their crime. The short story, Catching the Perfect Serial Killer, follows Professor Amanda Newman at the University of California. A serial killer in her neighborhood leaves no forensic evidence behind. When the FBI takes over the case, they come to her for help. She uses bacterial cells left behind by the killer to help catch him. But, before the killer is caught, he goes after Amanda. The FBI must use the bacterial evidence to find the killer before it’s too late. The process statement, How Bacterial Evidence Can Advance a Forensic Investigation, explores what bacterial evidence is, how it can be analyzed, and how it can advance a forensic investigation. The process statement also explains why bacterial evidence can be used as a legitimate forensic tool by addressing the leading concerns for using bacterial evidence in a forensic investigation.

Semester/Year of Award

Fall 2018

Mentor

William J. Staddon

Mentor Professional Affiliation

Biological Sciences

Access Options

Open Access Thesis

Document Type

Bachelor Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Scholars

Degree Level

Bachelor's

Department

Biological Sciences

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