FSCI 4120U – Advanced Forensic Biology

Advanced forensic biology expands on the theories and techniques learned in FSCI 3120U – Forensic Biology, FSCI 3030U – Criminalistics II, and FSCI 3110U – Population Genetics. Topics including SNPs, microbial DNA, Y-STRs, mitochondrial DNA are discussed. Emphasis will be placed on state-of-the-art technologies and their application to common forensic biological issues such as degradation, sensitivity, specificity, and variation in sample type. The course will also focus on statistics used in forensic DNA analysis with an emphasis on both the interpretation of mixture profiles and the case contextual interpretation of evidence. Students will also learn the importance and practice of trial preparation and expert witness testimony. Curriculum will be taught through a combination of lectures, case studies, videos and assignments.
Credit hours: 3
Lecture hours: 3
Laboratory hours: 3 (biweekly)
Prerequisite(s): FSCI 3120U and FSCI 3110U and enrolment in fourth year of the Forensic Science program.
Prerequisite(s) with concurrency: FSCI 3110U
Experiential learning: Yes