North Hosts 12th Annual Science Symposium

Students, faculty and parents gathered Tuesday night for the 12th Annual Science Research Symposium at Sachem High School North. 

Michael Mordente, a criminalist from the New York City Medical Examiner's Office, was the evening's keynote speaker.  

Mordente explained that forensic science is the application of natural and physical science as applied to law.  They will take items such as clothing, carpet, bedding or weapons and physically examine them to look at any biological fluid that may be present.

He explained that the goal is to separate the DNA from the cellular components. Mordente also added that some materials and dyes can inhibit this process.  In his discussion of the extraction process, Mordente said that PCIA (phenol-chloroform isoamyl alcohol) is an organic method of extraction.  Chelex is an inorganic method, but it is also a cheaper method of extraction.

Mordente also spoke about the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), which he described as a "glorified photocopying machine to copy DNA."  He added that DNA has repeats that are unique to individuals which are called short tandem repeats (STR's). 

What all of these tests and ways of extraction lead to is using the CODIS (Combined DNA Indexing System), which Mordente deemed "eHarmony for criminals."

"After we gather all of the information we upload the data to the national database and we will get hits usually in other states on a national level," he said. "Occasionally we have even gotten hits on a larger level in other countries."  

He also explained that sometimes criminalists act as expert witnesses and will have to testify on cases.  Mordente said that in these cases it is their job to educate the jurors on the information that is being provided to them.  

During the question and answer session, Mordente was asked what major he recommended students study for a position like his.

"You can major is pretty much anything that ends in 'ology', any science will provide a great foundation to go on and eventually go into the field of forensics," he said.  

Mordente was also asked what type of training was involved in becoming a forensic biologist.

"Training is done in a lab," he began. "To start, you spend anywhere from six months to a year observing and being observed by a skilled analyst.  I've been at my office for five years and I just finished training on three new processes.  You are always involved in research and development and learning new processes, it's never ending."  

Sachem students also received special recognition for their achievements and seniors came up to the podium to announce the colleges and universities they will be attending as well as their intended majors. 

Sachem Patch will be highlighting two very successful North sophomores, who placed fourth place in a national science competition, this week.