Forensic Biotechnology: STR Typing, PCR and Capillary Electrophoresis
Published:
Reviewed by Bismith B · 15 Jun 2026
Questions
30
Duration
30 min
Faculty-reviewed
0
Updated
09 Jun 2026
About this mock
This test covers the core molecular techniques used in modern forensic DNA analysis. Questions span the principles of polymerase chain reaction and thermal cycling, the design and interpretation of commercial multiplex STR kits, the CODIS core loci expanded in 2017, and the mechanics of capillary electrophoresis as a separation and detection platform. Candidates will work through electropherogram interpretation scenarios including stutter artefacts, allele drop-out, peak-height ratio thresholds, pull-up fluorescence, and off-ladder alleles. Sex typing via the amelogenin locus is also assessed. Scenarios are drawn from casework contexts encountered in accredited forensic laboratories internationally, including mixture interpretation challenges and quality-control decisions. The test targets practitioners and advanced students who can apply technical knowledge to realistic forensic data rather than recall definitions alone.
Sources & references
Questions in this mock are written and verified against the following sources. Citations are recorded per question and shown in the explanation after submission.
- cited in 8 questions
Butler, J.M. Forensic DNA Typing: Biology, Technology, and Genetics of STR Markers
Chapter 7: Electropherogram Artefacts
- cited in 6 questions
SWGDAM Interpretation Guidelines for Autosomal STR Typing
Section 5: Victim Subtraction and Minor Contributor Interpretation
- cited in 3 questions
Butler, J.M. Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing: Interpretation
Chapter 5: Stochastic Effects in Forensic DNA Analysis
- cited in 2 questions
Butler, J.M. Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing: Methodology
Chapter 4: PCR Artefacts and Stutter
- cited in 1 question
ILAC-G19 Modules in a Forensic Science Process
Module on Quality Controls in DNA Amplification
- cited in 1 question
Butler, J.M. Fundamentals of Forensic DNA Typing
Chapter on the polymerase chain reaction and thermal cycling
- cited in 1 question
Applied Biosystems AmpFLSTR Identifiler PCR Amplification Kit User Guide
Section on AmpliTaq Gold HotStart Activation
- cited in 1 question
Gill, P. Application of Low Copy Number DNA Profiling
Section on LCN Artefacts and Interpretation Standards
- cited in 1 question
Principles and Practice of Criminalistics
Chapter on Molecular Biology Methods in Forensic Science
- cited in 1 question
Gill, P. et al. DNA Commission of the International Society of Forensic Genetics: Recommendations on the Interpretation of Mixtures
Section on Stochastic Effects and Replicate Analysis
- cited in 1 question
Urquhart, A. et al. Variation in short tandem repeat sequences: a survey of twelve microsatellite loci, International Journal of Legal Medicine
Section on TH01 and microvariant alleles
- cited in 1 question
Harris, K.A. et al. An evaluation of luminol formulations and their effect on DNA profiling, International Journal of Legal Medicine
Section on luminol treatment and downstream STR profiling
- cited in 1 question
Thermo Fisher Scientific GlobalFiler PCR Amplification Kit User Guide
Section on troubleshooting and quality control
- cited in 1 question
Santos, F.R., Pandya, A., Tyler-Smith, C. Reliability of DNA-based sex tests, Nature Genetics
Discussion of amelogenin Y deletion and Y-chromosome confirmatory testing
- cited in 1 question
Short Tandem Repeat DNA Internet DataBase (STRBase)
Microvariants and off-ladder allele section
How our mocks are built
Questions are written and edited by the ForensicSpot team and cited from peer-reviewed forensic textbooks, official syllabi and primary case law. Each one is verified before publishing. Detailed explanations show after you submit, so the test stays a real test. See a mistake? Tell us.
Common questions
What does the Forensic Biotechnology: STR Typing, PCR and Capillary Electrophoresis mock cover?+
This test covers the core molecular techniques used in modern forensic DNA analysis. Questions span the principles of polymerase chain reaction and thermal cycling, the design and interpretation of commercial multiplex STR kits, the CODIS core loci expanded in 2017, and the mechanics of capillary electrophoresis as a separation and detection platform. Candidates will work through electropherogram interpretation scenarios including stutter artefacts, allele drop-out, peak-height ratio thresholds,
How many questions and how long is the test?+
30 multiple-choice questions, 30 minutes total. Difficulty: medium. Tier: Premium.
Who is this mock for?+
Forensic science students and aspirants who want timed, exam-style practice with explanations and verified source citations on Forensic Biotechnology. Useful for postgraduate entrance preparation and for BSc / MSc forensic students testing their recall under time.
Are the questions reviewed?+
Each question carries a verified source citation. Faculty review for individual questions is in progress.
Do I need an account to take this mock?+
Yes, a free ForensicSpot account is required to start a timed attempt — this lets you save progress, see per-question explanations after submission, and track your topic-level performance over time.