Forensic Biology

Code:

MML113

Acronym:

MML113

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physical Sciences
OFICIAL	Chemistry Sciences
OFICIAL	Natural Sciences
OFICIAL	Pharmacological Sciences

Instance: 2016/2017 - 1S (of 07-01-2017 to 03-02-2017)

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Master's Degree in Legal Medicine

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MML	8	Oficial Plan Bolonha 2008	1	-	7	63	175

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The use of DNA typing in Forensic Biology has revolutionized criminal investigations and has become a powerful tool in the identification of individuals in criminal, paternity cases and individual genetic identification. Forensic Biology encompasses the areas of science that are involved in the investigation of scientific evidence, indicating how a crime has occurred and by whom it may have been committed. Evidence is acquired by exploring areas of Biology and Molecular Medicine including Molecular Biology, Chemistry and Analytical Sciences. Other fields are explored in detail including mitochondrial DNA, Y chromosomal DNA, and use of forensic science in wildlife crime. Furthermore, the increasing knowledge linked to Molecular Medicine has lead to new areas of forensic DNA profiling like Pharmacogenomics and the field of microbial forensics.

Learning outcomes and competences

Students should be able to recognize the updated information regarding Forensics Biology  and its  importance in the correct management of evidence. forensic biologists search for and examine traces of material which might either establish or exclude an association between a suspect, victim and a crime scene. Evidence is acquired by exploring areas of Biology and Molecular Medicine including Molecular Biology, Chemistry and Analytical Science and students will be prepared  for this professional challenge. Furthermore, the intervention of a Health Sciences professional must include the knowledge of properly collect and manage the samples according to the best of knowledge, including a correct interpretation of the results.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Introduction to Forensic Biology


2. The role of Molecular Medicine in Forensic Biology


3. Sampling Biological Evidence for DNA Extraction


4. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) quantitation of DNA


5. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of short tandem repeat (STR) loci using a commercial kit


6. Capillary electrophoresis of short-tandem repeat (STR) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products from a commercial multiplex kit


7. Computing random match probability from DNA profile data using population databases


8. Y-STR PCR amplification and Mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection


9. Human genetic analysis: paternity or missing persons cases and statistics


10. Low copy number stochastic results


11. Social, ethical and regulatory concerns


12. Allele frequencies of CODIS loci and selected forensic DNA biology case studies


13. The implication of Pharmacogenomics for Forensics: case studies

14. Microbial Forensics

Mandatory literature

Butler JM; Fundamentals of Forensic DNA Typing, Elsevier Academic Press, 2010
Kelly M. Elkins;; Forensic DNA Biology: A Laboratory Manual, 2012, 2012

Complementary Bibliography

Alan Gunn; Essential Forensic Biology, 2009, 2009

Teaching methods and learning activities

Form of educational performance: Lecture with the presentation and discussion of relevant theoretical concepts in the classroom, self-study orientation of students by consulting annotated bibliography. Seminars, Brainstorm on pertinent issues related to the matter exposed in the classroom. Written Evaluation.

keywords

General programmes > Basic programmes > Basic programmes
General programmes > Basic programmes
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Human biology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Molecular biology
General programmes > Basic programmes
Health sciences > Medical sciences
Health sciences > Medical sciences > Medicine > Legal medicine
Health sciences
Social Sciences, Commerce and Law > Basic programmes
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Population biology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Participação presencial	50,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

exame*0,5 + oral evaluation*0,5