91137 DNA Profiling
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 35255c Forensic Statistics AND 65242 Principles of Forensic Science AND 65342c Crime Scene Investigation AND 91132c Molecular Biology 1
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
Since it was first introduced into forensic science in the mid-1980s, DNA profiling has evolved into one of the most powerful tools in the forensic armoury and hence in the investigation and solving of crimes.
In this time the techniques of DNA profiling have changed enormously, and their sensitivity is such that DNA profiling can now identify DNA sources from as little as 6–10 human cells. Typical sources of DNA in a forensic investigation have grown from large stains of body fluids, to microscopic traces of skin.
This subject examines the molecular biological techniques necessary to produce DNA profiles. DNA extraction, quantitation, amplification, electrophoresis and examination using standard technologies is highlighted, as required for court admissible evidence.
Population genetics and population structure are addressed in relation to the relevance and probative weight of DNA evidence of different types (single source, mixed source, low template) using different markers (autosomal, Y chromosome, mtDNA) for different applications of human identification (criminal cases, paternity, kinship, missing persons).
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Analyse and obtain DNA from typical forensic DNA source materials such as blood and semen |
|---|---|
| 2. | Apply the basic principles of forensic DNA profiling using short tandem repeat (STR) loci and other autosomal and non-autosomal DNA profiling techniques |
| 3. | Perform laboratory work that is typical of professional practice in forensic science investigations |
| 4. | Evaluate relationships in genetics, parenting and kinship and their applicability to forensic DNA profiling practices |
| 5. | Apply statistical analyses to populations and genetic relationships |
| 6. | Isolate, examine and analyse DNA from complex human samples |
| 7. | Critically appraise the history, context, principles and practices of forensic DNA profiling |
| 8. | Explain the importance of reporting and presenting DNA testimonial evidence |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate a command of forensic science practice, including the detection, collection, and analysis of traces in order to exploit and integrate the results of analyses into investigative, evaluative and intelligence frameworks. (1.1)
- Apply investigative, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to forensic science problems and design experimental methods to test hypotheses and critically analyse and interpret data. (2.1)
- Practise safe, ethical, and professional conduct with consideration for the role of forensic science in addressing current and future challenges faced by law enforcement, the legal system, security, and the wider community. (3.1)
- Apply forensic science professional skills with a high degree of personal autonomy and reflection to demonstrate initiative and innovative thinking in solving complex forensic problems. (4.1)
- Demonstrate skills in communicating experimental conclusions, expert opinion, and the justification of professional decisions related to forensic science processes effectively to expert, scientific, and non-expert audiences. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the personal, professional and intellectual development of students by encouraging the following graduate attributes:
Disciplinary knowledge
You will develop an understanding of the disciplinary, professional and technical knowledge of forensic DNA profiling, as required for potential employment in operational forensic science laboratories. This will be achieved through your examination and assessment of a variety of forensic biological items that are likely to be encountered at crime scenes; the selection of these for DNA analysis, and the interpretation of the DNA results in a case context.
Research, inquiry and critical thinking
You will develop skills to analyse information critically, as evidenced in the compilation of a forensic case file and the in the analysis of the DNA profile data that you have helped to generate. You will gain an introductory understanding of the role of population genetics and applied statistics in the analysis of DNA results in a forensic context, and be able to objectively assess the value of DNA evidence, through attendance at and participation in tutorials where you will evaluate the DNA profiles you have produced.
Professional, ethical and social responsibilty
You will challenge your scientific curiosity and the attitudes, knowledge and skills necessary for a commitment to lifelong learning in science. This will involve gathering, evaluating and using information from sources such as databases, research and review articles, textbooks, catalogues and technical reference books and managing your workload required for scientific based practice and professional work. The lectures will also provide you with the opportunity to develop an understanding of the professional requirements of a forensic scientist. The practical sessions, and their associated assessment tasks, and the online quizzes will expose you to the opportunity to develop these skills.
Reflection, innovation, creativity
You will reflect on the knowledge you gain during the semester and the analyses you perform to provide expert evidence in a moot court scenario designed to inform a court audience of your findings.
Communication
You will gain experience in writing concise laboratory notes and compiling an accurate and reliable case file, and in succinct answers to forensic questions posed by the various assessment tasks. This will contribute to the development of excellence in written scientific communication; an appreciation of the importance of communicating science to the general community and of matching communication style, written and oral, to the target audience and readers. The moot court will be a capstone assessment designed to communicate complex ideas to a lay audience.
Teaching and learning strategies
Lectures
Lecture material will be available on Canvas before delivery in order to minimise time spent writing and maximise time spent actively participating. Lecture material will not be repeated nor will content be explained to non-attending students. There will be multiple opportunities for exchange between teaching staff and students. Preparation for lectures will include readings and activities available on Canvas. You should complete the preparation before the lecture as it will give you the knowledge to further understand the subject content and be an active learner in the classroom.
Practicals
The practical sessions will be conducted in a laboratory environment this semester. The practical component is integrated with the lecture material and is designed to simulate laboratory procedures which are commonly applied in Forensic Biology laboratories. Students will examine a range of forensic items such as those commonly found at crime scenes and produce DNA profiles from these items. Laboratory work will be documented in a case file.
Tutorials
In the second part of the semester, there will be tutorials in place of practicals. The tutorials will be used to review and further develop concepts introduced in the lectures and the practical sessions. The content of the tutorials will be dependent on the outcomes of the practicals. We will use the DNA profiles generated in the practical classes to generate statistical and population information from these profiles. Additionally, we will together work (whole class and small groups) through various practical problems encountered in forensic DNA analysis. Discussion is strongly encouraged, and there will be opportunities for feedback from teachers and peers to clarify both the theory and practice of forensic DNA profiling.
Canvas
Canvas will be used for all communication, subject announcements and posting of subject information and documents, therefore students must ensure they check Canvas regularly. Canvas is linked to your UTS student email. If you use another email account, please make sure you activate a forwarding service from your student email.
All written communication should be through the DNA Profiling subject site on Canvas. Please post any messages in the relevant fora within the Discussion Board. Messages of a personal nature can be emailed to the subject coordinator using your UTS email.
Assessment tasks
It really pays to get started with assessment tasks as early as possible. A little each day or week will soon add up. Always read the question carefully. Underlining key words and ‘unpacking’ the question can help you understand the main elements and different sections to the task. Then you can move on to planning your response and brainstorming initial ideas. Always remember to address the assessment criteria.
Do not procrastinate: there’s no time like the present to get started. If you are lacking direction or motivation, do some background reading on the subject/task to get you started and build your confidence and motivation. Do not leave assignments to the last minute; there’s no need to do so, and it will save you lots of anxiety and stress if you do not. It is also likely you will make make less mistakes and have a more thorough response if you start early.
Content (topics)
1. History of forensic DNA profiling
2. Biological exhibit handling
3. DNA sample preparation
- DNA extraction and purification methods
- DNA quantitation
4. DNA profiling
- DNA amplification
- Capillary electrophoresis
- Analysis of complex samples such as mixtures and trace DNA
- Non-autosomal DNA analysis (such as Y-chromosome and mtDNA)
5. Evidence interpretation
- Forensic DNA statistics and determining the weight of evidence
6. Emerging technologies
- Probabilistic genotyping
- DNA databases
7. Evidence reporting
- Statement and report writing, professional communication and expert evidence
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Case file
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, innovation, creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Case files should be sufficient to allow another forensic biologist to repeat the procedure exactly. However, they should also be concise. |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed against specific criteria, available on Canvas. For each criterion, you will receive a mark as follows:
The total mark for the assessment will be reduced to a mark out of 30. |
Assessment task 2: Quizzes
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity
|
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 4, 5 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 and 4.1 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | You will have approximately one week to complete the quiz and you can take as long as you like within this time frame. You only have one attempt at each question but you can leave the quiz and return to it as often as you like. |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on your understanding and interpretation of key concepts and problem solving. |
Assessment task 3: Moot court
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 4. Reflection, innovation, creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2, 4, 5 and 8 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 5-10 minutes |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed according to the following criteria: Disciplinary knowledge
Research, inquiry and critical thinking
Professional, ethical and social responsibility
Reflection, innovation, creativity
Communication
For each criterion, you will receive a mark from 0 to 5. The highest possible mark for the assessment is therefore 5 × 6 = 30. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass this subject you must obtain an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
The UTS Coursework Assessments Policy and Procedures documents are required reading for students. These documents provide general guidelines for assessing students, information about responsibilities, and functions of staff involved in assessment. They can be found at:
http://www.gsu.uts.edu.au/policies/coursework-assessments.html
Recommended texts
Butler (2010) Fundamentals of forensic DNA typing. Academic Press (Elsevier)
This book is freely available online from the UTS Library: Access requires student ID and password.
It is also available from the Co-Op Bookshop and through the closed reserve and 7-day loan system at the City Campus Library. It covers all major topics and provides extensive lists of additional reading.
There are also advanced editions of this text freely available online from the UTS Library:
Butler (2012) Advanced topics in forensic DNA typing: Methodology. Academic Press (Elsevier)
Butler (2015) Advanced topics in forensic DNA typing: Interpretation. Academic Press (Elsevier)
Other texts that may be useful include:
Bader & Jamieson (2016) A guide to forensic DNA profiling (Wiley)
Freely available online from the UTS Library and in closed reserve (7 day loan).
Buckleton, Bright & Taylor (2016) Forensic DNA evidence interpretation (CRC Press)
Freely available online from the UTS Library.
Gill, Bleka, Hansson, Benschop & Haned (2020) Forensic practitioner's guide to the interpretation of complex DNA profiles (Acadmic Press)
Freely available online from the UTS Library.
Gill (2015) Misleading DNA evidence: Reasons for miscarriages of justice. Academic Press (Elsevier)
Freely available online from the UTS Library.
References
Molecular biology education
https://www.thermofisher.com/au/en/home/brands/invitrogen/molecular-biology-technologies/mol-bio-school.html
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Making sense of forensic genetics
https://www.euroforgen.eu/dissemination-activities/making-sense-of-forensic-genetics/
European Forensic Genetics (EuroForGen) Network of Excellence
Forensic genetics explained
https://www.euroforgen.eu/dissemination-activities/forensic-genetics-explained/
European Forensic Genetics (EuroForGen) Network of Excellence