Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My science fair project is Forensic Science: Building Your Own Tool For Identifying DNA. I'm not completely sure what sort of DNA samples are needed to conduct this experiment. Do I need liquid blood samples or hair samples?? I'm using Gel Electrophoresis and I understand everything fine except which type of samples to get. Could someone please tell me whether I need liquid or hair?

Also, where can I get RNA samples. I know they are in the same thing, but then how would I tell the difference between the two???

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE ANSWER BY January 12TH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

P.S.- What would be a good hypothesis for the experiment? So far all I can come up with is... The Gel Electrophoresis technique is so efficient a child/teen can use it and on the first attempt compare DNA and RNA samples with no trouble.

P.S.S- THANKS ANYONE WHO ANSWERS THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi!
Sounds like a very interesting project! As for your questions
1) The project guide only calls for food coloring dye samples, not actual DNA or RNA samples. Before you try to use DNA or RNA, you should consult your teacher or advisor for safety issues.
2) For the hypothesis, ScienceBuddies has put together a guide in order to help you choose your own-
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... esis.shtml
If you would like an example, you could write a hypothesis that: "Red food coloring dye travels farther than blue food coloring dye in a gel electrophoresis chamber."

Hope this helps, best of luck!

Thanks SO much!!!!!!! I am really glad I got an answer fast, and it was perfect! THANKS!!!