Murder and A Meal The Case: Name - Hour - Date

Name___________________________________________ Hour________ Date___________________
Murder and a Meal
The Case
A murder has occurred right here in our peaceful little town of East Peoria, IL.
As top-notch biology students at East Peoria High School you have been asked to
assist in the investigation of this most unfortunate incident. Central to identifying
the individual who committed this crime is establishing where the victim was the
day of the crime so that detectives can question the individuals with whom the
victim came into contact. An autopsy was performed on the victim has revealed
that the victim ate just prior to the time of death. Upon questioning the victim’s
friends and family, detectives working the case have learned that the victim
enjoyed eating at the following places.
Davis Brother’s Pizza

The victim would never eat thin crust pizza from anywhere else! The
victim would typically order a pizza with sausage, pepperoni, and bacon.
What macromolecules would you expect to find in the stomach contents

of the victim if the victims final “pie” was eaten here?
Buffalo Wild Wings

The victim would hang out here to watch sporting events while feasting on
Blazin’ wings and celery.

of the victim if the victims final meal was eaten here?
Avanti’s Restaruante
The victim loved to go here for a night of bread, olive oil, and pasta.

of the victim if the victims final meal was eaten here?
The forensic pathologist has removed the contents of the victim’s stomach for you to analyze in
order to determine where the victim had his last meal.
Lesson developed by Camron J. Stanley 2008

Name___________________________________________ Hour________ Date___________________
Procedure
Before analyzing the stomach contents of the deceased, you must determine the procedure to be used to
test for each organic macromolecule. Using information given in class, write out the procedure for testing
for each of the following macromolecules. For each macromolecule you must (1) describe the procedure
(in enough detail so that others can repeat your work) you will follow to perform each test, (2) describe
how a positive result for the macromolecule will look and record this information in Table 1, and (3)
describe how a negative result for the presence of the macromolecule will look and record this
information in Table 1.
NOTE: Before you may begin your investigation, you must obtain approval from your teacher.
Lipid Test
Protein Test
Carbohydrate—Glucose Test
Carbohydrate—Starch Test
Teacher Approval ________________________________________________ Date_________________

Name___________________________________________ Hour________ Date___________________
Table 1. Positive and Negative Results for the Presence of Organic Macromolecules
Macromolecule Chemical Test Positive Test Result Negative Test Result

Lipids
Proteins
Carbohydrates—
Glucose
Carbohydrates—
Starch
Table 2.______________________________________________________________________________
Test for Lipids Test for Proteins Test for Glucose Test for Starch
Observations: Observations: Observations: Observations:
Present? _______ Present? _______ Present? _______ Present? _______
Not Present? _______ Not Present? _______ Not Present? _______ Not Present? _______
Lab Analysis
1) Write out a descriptive title for Table 2, and fill in the table with your results.
2) Report your findings in discussion format. Open the discussion with a statement regarding which
restaurant the victim visited for his last meal (1 point). Provide a logical explanation, using data
from the tests on the stomach contents, that explains how you reached that conclusion (4 points).
The discussion should explain the results of the investigation in regard to the scientific concepts
that are being applied in the investigation. In this case, the scientific concept being applied are
macromolecules and the specific chemical tests used to determine their presence (5 points).

Name___________________________________________ Hour________ Date___________________
Teacher Notes:
To make the vomit, blend the following materials:

Corn (not sweetened)
Beans
Potato
Noodles
Vegetable oil
Red food coloring
** I don't recommend using the food coloring if you are going to use "Sudan III" to test for
lipids. You can use it, however, if you use the "brown bag test" for lipids.
Test your mixture before hand. It should only have starches and lipids.
I put the contents in a beaker and made the kids "handle" it. They loved and hated it!
The ultimate goal is to show that the last meal was "Avanti's".
Need more information? Visit these sites for ideas …
Food Chemistry
http://www.sciencecompany.com/sci-exper/food_chemistry.htm
Testing for Lipids, Proteins, & Carbohydrates

http://seplessons.ucsf.edu/node/362
Food Chemistry Testing

http://www.scribd.com/doc/3371524/Food-Chemistry-Testing-SUGAR-STARCH-ETC
Einstein Project – Food Chemistry

http://www.einsteinproject.org/einstein/for+educators/unit+offerings/food+chemistry/default.asp

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Name___________________________________________ Hour________ Date___________________

Murder and a Meal

Davis Brother’s Pizza

What macromolecules would you expect to find in the stomach contents

Buffalo Wild Wings

What macromolecules would you expect to find in the stomach contents

What macromolecules would you expect to find in the stomach contents

Lesson developed by Camron J. Stanley 2008

Teacher Approval ________________________________________________ Date_________________

Lesson developed by Camron J. Stanley 2008

Macromolecule Chemical Test Positive Test Result Negative Test Result

Present? _______ Present? _______ Present? _______ Present? _______

Lesson developed by Camron J. Stanley 2008

To make the vomit, blend the following materials:

Need more information? Visit these sites for ideas …

Testing for Lipids, Proteins, & Carbohydrates

Food Chemistry Testing

Einstein Project – Food Chemistry

Lesson developed by Camron J. Stanley 2008

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Name_________________________ Hour Date_

Teacher Approval ________________________________ Date_

Present? ___ Present? _ Present? _ Present? ___