Ateneo - UPO

Forensic Biologist's role on the crime scene and in lab. Application of genetic-biomolecular methodologies for studing and typing human DNA for identification aims in scientific investigations.

Introduzione alla genetica forense, Author A. Tagliabracci, Ed. Springer, 2010.

Forensic DNA Typing, Author J.M. Butler, Ed. Academic Press, 2012

Know the correct procedures for a crime scene investigation, organic traces' sampling, collection and chain of custody. Penal and Civile Law Code basis useful for practice the legal advise. Forensic Genetics analysis: know theory and practice about biomolecular methodology and strumentations used in a forensic lab for studing human DNA polymorphisms (extraction, purification, RT-PCR, PCR, sequencing and typing). Single and mixed DNA profiles interpretation. Forensic Biostatistics basis. Knowing the role of the forensic biologist as technical adviser.

Mendelian and molecular genetics basis, molecular biology.

Frontal class lessons (powerpoint sildes). Probably samples inspection and generic and specific diagnosis with forensic kits.

Some casework will be shown, with raw pictures that may upset someone.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse
e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities. Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects

Oral exam. The exam is composed of 3 open questions, based on the program. The entire judgment will be based on the single answers score. The oral exam will test the knowledge level the issue contents of the course, evaluating self judgment, knowing willingness and speech abilities.
To overcome the verification, the student must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least the fundamental concepts of forensic biology and the most important findings related to personal identification and their application in a crime scene investigation; Also, adequately stimulated, he must demonstrate that he knows how to recognize the mistakes made and then find the right way (trial and error); Finally, it must be able to expose the topics in a clear and comprehensible way.

Criminal and Civil Law Code basis. Crime Scene Investigation techniques. Sampling and preservation methodologies of organic traces on the crime scene. Forensic Biology Lab: generic and specific diagnosis. Human DNA polymorphisms in forensic genetics (RFLP, VNTR, STR, SNP, CNV, Y-STR, SNP mtDNA). Genetic-biomolecular methodology used in forensic genetics lab. DNA profile Typing for human identification and paternity testing. DNA profile interpretation (single and mixed profiles). Paternity testing. Population Genetics. Forensic Biostatistic basis. The legal report. The role of the Forensic Biologist as technical adviser.

Knowledge and understanding: knowing the molecular basis of human genetic polymorphisms applied to the identification.
Applying knowledge and understanding: be able how to read an electropherogram (EPG), interpreting the genetic profile and comparing traces profiles to references.
Autonomy of judgment: ability to critically analyze the elements related to the interpretation of genetic profiles for forensic purposes, autonomy of judgment in the evaluation of experimental data and electropherograms for identification / discriminatory purposes.
Communication skills: perfecting the disciplinary vocabulary in the legal and genetic-forensic fields, as well as describing in a clear and concise manner phenomena and problems related to crime scene investigation, the sampling and conservation of organic traces, the interpretation of the genetic profiles. Ability to relate on a genetic-forensic assessment with an appropriate scientific language, both in oral and written form.
Learning skills: acquisition of the ability to acquire, deepen and update independently, by reading texts and scientific articles.
Ability to use the teaching material for a critical and reasoned study.