DNA Profiling: How Long is the Golden Snitch’s Flesh Memory?
Keywords:
Book, Film, Biology, DNA, Genetics, Quidditch, Golden Snitch, Harry PotterAbstract
Will the Flesh Memory of the Golden Snitch really last seven years? The Golden Snitch is a ball used in the game of Quidditch that remembers the first person to have contact with its surface. Analysis of forensic techniques, in particular DNA profiling and the effects of temperature are used to model whether the Snitch would recognise Harry Potter seven years later. If stored at room temperature (21oC), this would not be possible. The model is then extended to calculate the average temperature of storage required for this to be possible, 10.08oC.
References
Rowling, J.K. (2007), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Bloomsbury, Chp. 7
Rowling, J.K (2007), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Bloomsbury, Chp. 34
Jackson, A. & Jackson, J. (2011), Forensic Science, Pearson Education, 3rd ed., pp.108-123
Rowling, J.K. (1997), Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Bloomsbury, Chp. 11
Butler, J.M. (2011), Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing: Methodology, Elsevier, 1st ed., Vol. II, pp.293-311
Kaplan, M., (2012 – last update), Nature News - DNA has a 521-year half-life, [Online]. [Accessed 04th February 2015]. Available from: http://www.nature.com/news/dna-has-a-521-year-half-life-1.11555
Ellington, S & Goodwin, W., (2012 – last update), [Online]. Available from: http://www.aafs.org/sites/default/files/pdf/ProceedingsAtlanta2012.pdf [Accessed 04/02/2015].
Womach, J., (2005-last update), Agriculture: A Glossary of Terms, Programs, and Laws, 2005 Edition, [Online]. Available from: http://www.cnie.org/NLE/CRSreports/05jun/97-905.pdf [Accessed 04/02/2015].
Hartley, A., (2006 – last update), Fuel Poverty, [Online]. Available from: http://www.wmpho.org.uk/resources/Fuel_Poverty_Short.pdf [Accessed 04/02/2015].
Downloads
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. All content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence (CC-BY 4.0).