8127/frame/fm

 
8:00 AM
 
Criminalist976
: I think I’ve solved your partner’s case, but my colleagues have been
affected and they are now useless. You have to help me.
 
Cop9007
:
OK, but make it fast and this better be good.
 
Criminalist976
: Well, here’s what I think. We know that the DNASynthoComp is
powered by a DNA BioPack. In this particular model, it directs the
synthesis of bioactive materials in the search for a drug to reverse
the short-term memory loss in Alzheimer’s patients. The NanoBio-
Sampler reported that the sample from the vent area contains a
“possible long term memory antagonist.” When I queried it further,
I found an unusual pattern of repeating amino acids specified by
the DNA sequence coding for this long-term memory antagonist.
There are long stretches of DNA triplets coding for Isoleu-
cine–Lysine–Arginine. I thought to ask for the one letter codes for
these amino acids. Turns out these long stretches are composed of
 
IKR IKR IKR
. This was the clue I needed. 
I remembered a brief conversation we had just before we started
this scene. A colleague of ours is apparently getting a bit irrational
about his inability to pass the IKR and is concerned for his job. I
checked the DNASynthoComp user log and found a hacked access
linked to a computer which is registered to him. I then accessed the
video records from the G.O-Cam in his study and watched as he
managed to hack into the DNASynthoComp. He introduced a com-
puter virus that changed the programming to direct the DNA frag-
ments normally used to synthesize the memory agonist such that
they now direct the synthesis of a compound long-term memory
antagonist. 
From what I have heard about the victims and saw with my col-
leagues, this virus has the effect of destroying a person’s general
knowledge, leaving only that more recently learned, highly specific
knowledge. I have apparently remained unaffected because I have
only recently acquired general knowledge, so it is still in my short-
term memory. The viruses are programmed to be self-replicating,
removing a safety feature of the bioactive material normally syn-
thesized by the computer. They apparently begin to multiply and
couldn’t be contained in the computer. They exit via the fan vent.
I put it all together when I realized that the Forensic Training and
Development Laboratory is just across the hall. Apparently his idea
was that everyone would forget their generalist training so his lack
of the same would not be noticed, and he would still have a job.
What I don’t know is if the effect is reversible.
8127/frame/ch13 Page 327 Friday, July 21, 2000 11:43 AM

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Principles and Practice of Criminalistics
 
Cop9007
:
Well, you’ve convinced me, but now we have another problem. Do
we report this to the Violent Crimes Unit or the CyberCrime Unit?
You know how territorial they are.
 
Criminalist976
: How about we leave it to them to resolve it and tell them they
shouldn’t open their e-mail if they cannot or we’ll infect them with
the virus.
 
Cop9007
:
What do you think happens to an attorney who forgets all generalist
knowledge?
 
Criminalist976
: I think I don’t want to go there.