Licking Heights Students Use Real DNA Tools to Crack a Mock Forensic Case

Students at Licking Heights High School are getting a hands-on introduction to forensic biotechnology through the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE), a program funded by the Amgen Foundation that supplies free curriculum, equipment and classroom resources.

Hands-on learning with professional tools

The regional ABE site in central Ohio is run by Columbus State Community College. Naava Schottenstein, a professor in Columbus State's Biological and Physical Sciences Department, directs the Central Ohio site, with Drew Spacht serving as biosciences program manager and site technician. At Licking Heights, biology teacher Rachel Blais has incorporated the ABE curriculum into her elective forensic science course, which is open to any student who has completed biology.

Solving "Who Ate All the Peanut Butter?"

During a recent demonstration, students tackled a mock investigation titled "Who Ate All the Peanut Butter?" The activity had learners collect and analyze DNA using gel electrophoresis — a standard laboratory technique that separates DNA fragments by size — to match samples from several family dogs to evidence left at the scene.

Troy Balderson: "This partnership between the Amgen Foundation and Licking Heights allows students to work with the same tools found in real-world laboratories. The skills these students are building through the Amgen Biotech Experience will shape the next generation of scientists, researchers and innovators."

Gel electrophoresis is commonly used in forensics, genetics and medical research to compare genetic material. In the classroom lab, students loaded DNA samples into a gel, ran an electric current to separate the fragments, and interpreted the resulting banding patterns to determine which sample matched the evidence.

Rachel Blais: "My favorite part of teaching this course has been showing students how deeply connected forensic science is to other core science classes, and even to history. It’s really fun watching them compare what they see on TV to how forensic science actually works in real life—what’s accurate, what’s exaggerated, and how much real science goes into solving cases."

Students said the lab experience broadened their view of science and career possibilities. Junior Damien Caldwell, whose father works in 911 operations, said the class gave him practical exposure to investigation work and a head start toward his law enforcement goals. Senior Angelee Straits said the course taught her the deeper processes behind true-crime shows and helped develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills she’ll use in college and beyond.

Local elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson and state Rep. Thad Claggett, visited the lab to observe how ABE partnerships bring real-world science into high school classrooms and connect students to career pathways. Teacher Rachel Blais emphasized that hands-on labs make science an active practice rather than a purely textbook subject.

Reported by Kelly Tucker.