Forensic Genetics and DNA-profiling: Basic genetics (classical, molecular and population) relevant to forensics - patterns of inheritance (nuclear and cytoplasmic), alleles and polymorphisms. Detection of polymorphisms, genes in populations. Genetic material and its isolation from diverse sources. The practical content includes some basic techniques of molecular biology related to DNA analysis and genotyping, including purification and gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids, hybridisation technology and the polymerase chain reaction. What information can be gleaned from genetic data? Lectures will give the scientific background to the techniques, an overview of the typing systems used (STR typing, mitochondrial sequencing and the developing SNP analysis), when certain systems are applied rather than other ones, the significance and interpretation of the results, DNA profiling databases, quality control and regulation. Laboratory sessions will give practical experience of the procedures from collection of samples to interpretation of results.
Forensic Biology: The wide scope of this area includes the investigation of crimes against the person (such as murder, rape and other sexual offences, assault), endangered species and paternity. In addition you will specifically focus on biological evidence at crime scenes; blood stain pattern analysis; visualising body fluid stains; collection and handling of biological evidential samples; clothing examination; presumptive testing for body fluids; extraction of body fluid stains; microscopy of spermatozoa; hair analysis; conventional blood grouping; determination of species of origin. Applications of microscopy to other biological evidential material. Basic forensic entomology. An introduction to the basic concepts in ante-mortem and post-mortem pathologies using appropriate examples. Professional aspects including hypothesis forming and testing, quality assurance, proper documentation, presenting written reports of investigations to courts of law.

Students will be required to submit the following summative assessment.
• Two exams that will assess learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 & 4.
• Practical Workbook– Workbook containing questions on DNA Analysis practical sessions. This element will assess MLO 5.
• Group Presentation Assessment: A presentation produced by your group on practical sessions, along with a short executive summary. These elements will assess outcomes 3, 4 & 6.

Additional Assessment Details:
Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via submission of: formative tasks associated with the presentation of a laboratory report, a practice practical examination supported by peer assessment and online tests allowing self assessment.

The module makes use of both interactive lectures and practicals which will run over the course of semesters 1&2 to convey theoretical material. Practical sessions in in the laboratory will allow students to apply their knowledge and understanding to investigating mock biological evidence from simulated cases. A variety of text and web sources will be used depending on the area being studied. There is no single text that can cover the breadth of information required. Guided independent study hours are allocated to read background material and to complete assignments.

Understand the concepts and application of techniques from the biological sciences that are used in forensic investigation

1) Knowledge and understanding

3) Enquiry

Evaluate the appropriateness of these concepts and applications that are used in forensic investigation

4) Analysis

7) Application

Show critical awareness of the current issues facing evidence derived from biological samples

2) Learning

Show an understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of forensic pathology in a forensic science setting

7) Application

Use a range of techniques to initiate and undertake analysis of forensic problems

2) Learning

3) Enquiry

4) Analysis

Produce reports to appraise and evaluate critically the results of practical exercises

3) Enquiry

6) Communication

N/A

Currently there is no one single textbook that supports the whole of this module. Specialist texts and journal articles can be accessed via the WWW as well as local Library support services.
Suggested texts:
Gunn, A (2006) Essential Forensic Biology, John Wiley & Sons, Sussex
Langford, A (2010) Practical Skills in Forensic Science, Pearson, Essex
Butler, JM (2010) Fundamentals of Forensic DNA Typing, Academic Press, London
Jones, SH (2005) Principles of bloodstain pattern analysis: theory and practice. CRC Press

Progress to level 5 of a forensic science award

Forensic Genetics and DNA-profiling: Basic genetics (classical, molecular and population) relevant to forensics - patterns of inheritance (nuclear and cytoplasmic), alleles and polymorphisms. Detection of polymorphisms, genes in populations. Genetic material and its isolation from diverse sources. The practical content includes some basic techniques of molecular biology related to DNA analysis and genotyping, including purification and gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids, hybridisation technology and the polymerase chain reaction. What information can be gleaned from genetic data? Lectures will give the scientific background to the techniques, an overview of the typing systems used (STR typing, mitochondrial sequencing and the developing SNP analysis), when certain systems are applied rather than other ones, the significance and interpretation of the results, DNA profiling databases, quality control and regulation. Laboratory sessions will give practical experience of the procedures from collection of samples to interpretation of results.
Forensic Biology: The wide scope of this area includes the investigation of crimes against the person (such as murder, rape and other sexual offences, assault), endangered species and paternity. In addition you will specifically focus on biological evidence at crime scenes; blood stain pattern analysis; visualising body fluid stains; collection and handling of biological evidential samples; clothing examination; presumptive testing for body fluids; extraction of body fluid stains; microscopy of spermatozoa; hair analysis; conventional blood grouping; determination of species of origin. Applications of microscopy to other biological evidential material. Basic forensic entomology. An introduction to the basic concepts in ante-mortem and post-mortem pathologies using appropriate examples. Professional aspects including hypothesis forming and testing, quality assurance, proper documentation, presenting written reports of investigations to courts of law.