Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Medical Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Forensic Genetics
  • Unit Code

    SCH2142
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit considers the genetic markers used in forensic DNA typing laboratories, the underlying principles of DNA typing and the techniques employed in DNA typing. Paternity testing, crime scene analysis and mass disasters demonstrate the application of DNA typing. In addition, Forensic Genetics is used to solve older mysteries like those of the Romanovs, Tyrolean Ice Man and our relationship to the Neanderthals, Homo neanderthalensis. Students amplify and sequence the Hypervariable Region 1 of their mitochondrial DNA to identify their ancestral mother - their 'Daughter of Eve'. The importance of population genetic marker allele frequencies to all types of forensic genetic analyses is emphasised.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Amplify, electrophorese and sequence the DNA of a variety of genetic markers.
  2. Analyse DNA sequences of mitochondrial Hypervariable Region 1 to establish ancestry.
  3. Describe how DNA typing is used to identify bodies/body parts from mass disaster sites.
  4. Design the most appropriate forensic genetic analysis for specified crime scenes.
  5. Discuss the validation problems associated with paternity tests.
  6. Explain the significance of population allele frequencies to all types of forensic genetic analyses.
  7. Identify and describe genetic markers used in forensic genetics.

Unit Content

  1. Case Histories - mostly criminal, some anthropological.
  2. DNA Structure and Typing - DNA amplification, acrylamide electrophoresis, QAIxcel electrophoresis.
  3. Forensic Genetic Complications - paternity testing, crime scene contamination, cause of death complications, degraded DNA, courtroom challenges.
  4. Mass Disasters - DNA from body parts and personal effects, use of STRs, SNPs and mtDNA markers/haplotypes, statistical considerations, kinship analysis, other methods of identification (dental, jewelry, visual).
  5. Serial Killers - classified by modus operandi and the amount of DNA left at crime scene, Y chromosome and mtDNA haplotypes, other genetic markers deployed, the status of low copy number (LCN) amplification.
  6. Sexual Assault DNA Issues - Y chromosome haplotype limitations, mixed DNA analysis, allelic dropout.
  7. Types of Genetic Marker - short tandem repeat markers (STRs), variable number tandem repeat markers (VNTRs), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and hypervariable mitochondrial DNA haplotypes (mtDNA).

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures. Laboratory classes working in pairs or as a whole class group. Challenge Laboratories working individually to solve forensics cases with appropriate forensic genetic laboratory techniques. Total contact time is 4 hours per week.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestMid semester test30%
Laboratory WorkChallenge laboratory30%
ExaminationTheory examination40%

Text References

  • ^ Butler, J.M. (2010). Fundamentals of forensic DNA typing. Burlington, MA: Academic Press/Elsevier.
  • Goodwin, W., Linacre, A., & Hadi, S. (2007). An introduction to forensic genetics. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
  • Li, R. (2008). Forensic biology. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
  • Rapley, R., & Whitehouse, D. (Eds.). (2007). Molecular forensics. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Journal References

  • BioTechniques
  • Electrophoresis
  • International Journal of Legal Medicine
  • Forensic Science International
  • Journal of Forensic Science

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCH2142|1|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Medical Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Forensic Genetics
  • Unit Code

    SCH2142
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit considers the genetic markers used in forensic DNA typing laboratories, the underlying principles of DNA typing and the techniques employed in DNA typing. Paternity testing, crime scene analysis and mass disasters demonstrate the application of DNA typing. In addition, Forensic Genetics is used to solve older mysteries like those of the Romanovs, Tyrolean Ice Man, The Titanic and our relationship to the Neanderthals, Homo neanderthalensis. Students amplify and sequence the Hypervariable Region 1 of their mitochondrial DNA to identify their ancestral mother - their 'Daughter of Eve'. The importance of population genetic marker allele frequencies to all types of forensic genetic analyses is emphasised.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Identify and describe genetic markers used in forensic genetics.
  2. Amplify, electrophorese and sequence the DNA of a variety of genetic markers.
  3. Discuss the validation problems associated with genetic tests.
  4. Design the most appropriate forensic genetic analysis for specified crime scenes.
  5. Describe how DNA typing is used to identify bodies/body parts from mass disaster sites.
  6. Analyse DNA sequences of mitochondrial Hypervariable Region 1 to establish ancestry.
  7. Explain the significance of population allele frequencies to all types of forensic genetic analyses.

Unit Content

  1. DNA Structure and Typing - DNA amplification, electrophoresis, QIAxcel electrophoresis.
  2. Types of Genetic Marker - short tandem repeat markers (STRs), variable number tandem repeat markers (VNTRs), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), mitochondrial DNA haplotypes (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome STR markers (Y-STR).
  3. Forensic Genetic Complications - crime scene contamination, cause of death complications, DNA quantity and quality issues, courtroom challenges.
  4. Sexual Assault DNA Issues - Y chromosome haplotype limitations, mixed DNA analysis, allelic dropout.
  5. Mass Disasters - DNA from body parts and personal effects, use of STRs, SNPs and mtDNA markers/haplotypes, statistical considerations, kinship analysis, other methods of identification (dental, jewelry, visual).
  6. Sexual Predators - Classified by modus operandi and the amount of DNA left at a crime scene, VNTRs, sex determination, Y-chromosome haplotypes, STRs
  7. Serial Killers - classified by type of crime and the amount of DNA left at crime scene, the status of low copy number (LCN) amplification.
  8. Case Histories - mostly criminal, some anthropological.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures. Laboratory classes working in pairs or as a whole class group. Challenge Laboratories working individually to solve forensics cases with appropriate forensic genetic laboratory techniques. Total contact time is 4 hours per week.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Test ^Laboratory Safety Test5%
TestMid semester test25%
Laboratory WorkChallenge laboratory30%
ExaminationTheory examination40%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

  • ^ Butler, J.M. (2010). Fundamentals of forensic DNA typing. Burlington, MA: Academic Press/Elsevier.
  • Goodwin, W, Linacre, A., & Hadi, S. (2011). An introduction to forensic genetics. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
  • Li, R. (2008). Forensic biology. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
  • Rapley, R., & Whitehouse, D. (Eds.), 2007). Molecular forensics. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Journal References

  • BioTechniques
  • Electrophoresis
  • Forensic Science International
  • International Journal of Legal Medicine
  • Journal of Forensic Science

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCH2142|2|2