Course Title and Number:
IST 445 DNA Forensics
5:30-8:30 PM Thursday
Room 211 BBSC
Instructor:
Dr. Elizabeth Murray
murraye@marshall.edu
Office:
304-696-3515
Cell:
304-617-6198
Office:
241 G BBSC
Office Hours:
MWF 10-11
Make an appointment to see me at other times.
Course Description, Credits, and Prerequisites
Hands-on DNA typing of simulated crime scene evidence. Process biological samples,
purify DNA, perform presumptive and confirmatory tests for blood and semen, learn
microscopy, PCR genetic analysis and practice testimony.
Credit Hours- 3
Required Text(s):
An Introduction to Forensic Genetics William Goodwin, Adrian Linacre and Sibte Hadi
2011 Second Edition Wiley Blackwell ISBN 9780470710197
Additional Study Aids:
http://www.wiley.com/go/forensic2e
Webpage Instructor provided slideshows, laboratory protocols, worksheets and
laboratory notes may be posted in Blackboard. We will be recording lectures in WIMBA
during class.
Other websites worth visiting are:
http://www.dna.gov/
http://www.cstl.nist.gov/strbase/
http://www.cstl.nist.gov/strbase/tools/MSHP_DNA_TrainingManual072006.pdf
Computer Requirements:
Access to a Pentium computer with Microsoft Office 2007, Adobe Acrobat, Internet
Explorer and Blackboard.
Course Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Measures
Upon completion of this course, students will:
 Appreciate the unique handling and processing of Forensic DNA evidence, including
prevention of cross-contamination and correct sample storage..
 Learn to process biological evidence and control samples for DNA extraction.
 Learn to perform presumptive tests for blood and semen and use of alternative light
sources
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Understand the basic principles of DNA structure, DNA replication, forensic genetics,
including STR, mitochondrial DNA sequencing, Y chromosome STR and autosomal
SNPs.
Understand the theory and practice DNA extraction from forensic samples.
Understand theory and practice of DNA quantification for forensic testing.
Understand theory and practice of PCR.
Perform STR PCR genotyping and analyze fluorescently labeled DNA products using
capillary electrophoresis.
Understand interpretation of DNA mixtures and PCR artifacts.
Use ABI software to analyze DNA profiles, including gender identification.
Analyze strength of Forensic DNA results, population statistics, Bayesian analysis,
Likelihood Ratio, Hardy-Weinberg and Linkage Equilibrium
Evaluation/Measurement of Learner Outcomes:
The standards for measuring successful completion of learner objectives will be
Lab Work (Lab participation and reports)
6 Lecture quizzes (5% each)
Final Exam (comprehensive)
50%
30%
20%
Grading Policy:
A = 90-100 %
B = 80-89 %
C = 70-79 %
D = 60-69 %
F < 60 %
Lab
Lab work will be assessed based on attendance, participation, and completion of lab
data. Students will be assigned a sexual assault evidence packet and will process
evidence, perform presumptive tests, prepare and analyze semen samples
microscopically, isolate DNA from evidence samples, quantitate DNA and perform PCR
using fluorescent DNA primers. Students
Quizzes
Students will have two exams as announced in the schedule. Exams will be based on
lectures, problems and readings. Students will be given a group of sample essay exam
questions from which the essay questions will be selected.
Final Exam
The final exam is 20% of the final grade and will be based on lectures and readings.
Students will be given a group of sample essay exam questions from which the essay
questions will be selected.
Class Participation
Forensic DNA An open discussion atmosphere is encouraged in the class, and students
are encouraged to ask questions about the book and forensic DNA in the news in class.
Class Policies:
Attendance Policy:
Attendance policy is in keeping with Marshall’s official policy regarding excused
absences. This policy can be found on pp. 123-126 of the 2009-2010 undergraduate
online catalog, which can be accessed at
http://www.marshall.edu/catalog/undergraduate/ug_09-10.pdf).
We will have guest visits on several occasions from employees of the State Police DNA
Forensics Lab. These visits may occur on Monday or Wednesday evenings to
accommodate our guest’s schedule. Because of the value of this experience, I
encourage students to participate in these meetings.
Labs are project based. Attendance is critical, since the performance of the laboratory
skills must be under supervision of the laboratory instructor. Missing more than 2 labs
will result in loss of a letter grade in lab. Lab work may be repeated if there are not
successful results. Students may have to return to lab to complete some work based on
timing of experiments.
Students are expected to work safely and clean up after work. If the lab is left dirty or
equipment is broken, they are responsible for cleaning up and reporting problems.
Tardiness is also discouraged, but is better than absence. It is the student’s
responsibility to meet with instructor to discuss laboratory absences due to illness
or other reasons. It is also required to return to the lab between classes and perform
some work. Students should schedule time with instructor to get into the lab outside of
regular class hours for additional work.
Students are required to stay on task during labs. Discussion of the problems in a group
is encouraged. However, please complete your homework and quizzes individually. If
you have completed the assigned task, please help someone else. If you are having
academic difficulty, please come see me for assistance.
Academic Dishonesty Policy:
All students should be familiar with the university’s policy concerning academic
dishonesty. This policy can be found on pp. 102 – 106 of the undergraduate catalog
http://www.marshall.edu/catalog/undergraduate/ug_09-10.pdf.
Policy for Students with Disabilities:
Marshall University is committed to equal opportunity in education for all students,
including those with physical, learning and psychological disabilities. University policy
states that it is the responsibility of students with disabilities to contact the Office of
Disabled Student Services (DSS) in Prichard Hall 117, phone 304 696-2271 to provide
documentation of their disability. Following this, the DSS Coordinator will send a letter to
each of the student’s instructors outlining the academic accommodation he/she will need
to ensure equality in classroom experiences, outside assignment, testing and grading.
The instructor and student will meet to discuss how the accommodation(s) requested will
be provided. For more information, please visit http://www.marshall.edu/disabled or
contact Disabled Student Services Office at Prichard Hall 117, phone 304-696-2271.
University Computing Services’ Acceptable Use Policy:
All students are responsible for knowing this policy, which can be found on the web at
http://www.marshall.edu/ucs/CS/accptuse.asp.
Affirmative Action Policy:
This course will follow Marshall University’s policy on Affirmative Action, which can be
found on p. 90 of the 2009-2010 undergraduate catalog
http://www.marshall.edu/catalog/undergraduate/ug_09-10.pdf. Specifically, all students
will be afforded equal opportunity without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age,
disability, national origin, or sexual orientation.
Inclement Weather Policy:
Students can find information concerning Marshall’s policy regarding inclement weather
on pp. 92-93 of the 2009-2010 undergraduate online catalog
http://www.marshall.edu/catalog/undergraduate/ug_09-10.pdf,
Course Outline:
The schedule below is intended to give you a guide to the course. Lab work may be
repeated if there are not successful results and schedule adjusted.
Week
Jan 9
Jan 16
Jan 23
Jan 30
Feb 6
Feb 13
Feb 20
Feb 27
March 5
March
12
March
19
March
26
April 2
April 9
April 16
April 23
April 30
Lecture Topic
Introduction to Forensic DNA
Collecting evidence from Sexual
Assault cases
Collecting evidence from Sexual
Assault cases
DNA Extraction
PCR
DNA Quantification and rtPCR
STR Genetics
Capillary Gel Electrophoresis and data
interpretation
Statistical interpretation of STR Data
Evaluation and Presentation of STR
Data
DNA Databases
Text
Chapter 1, 2
Lab
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 4
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Quiz 3
Quiz 4
Chapter 10
Spring Break
Kinship Testing
Chapter 11
SNPs
Lineage Markers and Nonhuman DNA
Chapter 12
Chapters
13, 14
Lab Tour
Quiz 5
Quiz 6
Final Exam