The course is aimed to describe the methodological approach applied in the forensic genetic laboratory to approach DNA identification casework and paternity or kinship cases.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge in genetics, molecular biology and statistics
Teaching Methods
The course is organised in lectures, casework discussion and lab exercises.
Assessment Methods
Written exam with open-ended questions on the topics covered in the course. Full marks will be achieved when all the answers provided by the student will be correctly explained in the text.
Texts
Pdf presentations and lesson notes will be provided by the teacher. To increase and broaden the knowledge it is possible to read the following books. - “La prova del DNA per la ricerca della verità. Aspetti giuridici, biologici e probabilistici”. Autori: Ricci U., Previderè C., Fattorini P., Corradi F., (2006) Giuffré Editore. - “Introduzione alla genetica forense. Indagini di identificazione personale e di paternità”. Autori: Tagliabracci A., (2010) Springer
Contents
Collection of biological evidence in crime scene investigations; chain of custody. Sample characterisation to define the biological source. DNA extraction method from different biological specimens and DNA quantification. PCR and capillary electrophoresis. DNA polymorphisms. Definition of genetic profile and interpretation criteria. Y-choromosome DNA testing and its forensic application. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing in forensic casework. Paternity and kinship testings. Forensic DNA databases.
