An Introduction to Forensic Genetics

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Edition: 1st
Format: Hardcover
Pub. Date: 2007-11-27
Publisher(s): WILEY
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Summary

An Introduction to Forensic Genetics is a comprehensive introduction to this fast moving area from the collection of evidence at the scene of a crime to the presentation of that evidence in a legal context. The last few years have seen significant advances in the subject and the development and application of genetics has revolutionised forensic science. This book begins with the key concepts needed to fully appreciate the subject and moves on to examine the latest developments in the field, illustrated throughout with references to relevant casework. In addition to the technology involved in generating a DNA profile, the underlying population biology and statistical interpretation are also covered. The evaluation and presentation of DNA evidence in court is discussed as well with guidance on the evaluation process and how court reports and statements should be presented. An accessible introduction to Forensic Genetics from the collection of evidence to the presentation of that evidence in a legal context Includes case studies to enhance student understanding Includes the latest developments in the field focusing on the technology used today and that which is likely to be used in the future Accessible treatment of population biology and statistics associated with forensic evidence This book offers undergraduate students of Forensic Science an accessible approach to the subject that will have direct relevance to their courses. An Introduction to Forensic Genetics is also an invaluable resource for postgraduates and practising forensic scientists looking for a good introduction to the field.

Author Biography

William Goodwin is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at the University of Central Lancashire where his main teaching areas are molecular biology and its application to forensic analysis. Prior to this he worked for eight years at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Science in the Human Identification Centre where hewas involved in a number of international cases involving the identifications of individuals from air crashes and from clandestine graves. His research has focused on the analysis of DNA from archaeological samples and highly compromised human remains. He has acted as an expert witness and also as a consultant for international humanitarian organisations and forensic service providers.

Adrian Linacre is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Strathclyde where his main areas of teaching are aspects of forensic biology, population genetics and human identification. His research areas include the use of non-human DNA in forensic science and the mechanisms behind the transfer and persistence of DNA at crime scenes. He has published over 50 papers in international journals, has presented at a number of international conferences and is on the editorial board of Forensic Science International: Genetics. Dr Linacre works as an assessor for the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners (CRFP) in the area of human contact traces and is a Registered Practitioner.

Sibte Hadi is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at the University of Central Lancashire. His main teaching areas are Forensic Medicine and DNA profiling. He is a physician by training and practised forensic pathology for a number of years in Pakistan before undertaking a PhD in Forensic Genetics. Following this he worked at the Department of Molecular Biology Louisiana State University as a member of the Louisiana Healthy Aging Study group. He has acted as a consultant to forensic service providers in the USA and Pakistan. His current research is focused on population genetics, DNA databases and gene expression studies for different forensic applications.

Table of Contents

Prefacep. ix
About the Authorsp. x
Introduction to forensic geneticsp. 1
Forensic geneticsp. 1
A brief history of forensic geneticsp. 2
Referencesp. 5
DNA structure and the genomep. 7
DNA structurep. 7
Organization of DNA into chromosomesp. 7
The structure of the human genomep. 9
Genetic diversity of modern humansp. 11
The genome and forensic geneticsp. 11
Tandem repeatsp. 12
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)p. 13
Further readingp. 14
Referencesp. 14
Biological material - collection, characterization and storagep. 17
Sources of biological evidencep. 17
Collection and handling of material at the crime scenep. 19
Identification and characterization of biological evidencep. 19
Evidence collectionp. 20
Sexual and physical assaultp. 21
Presumptive testingp. 21
Storage of biological materialp. 23
Referencesp. 24
DNA extraction and quantificationp. 27
DNA extractionp. 27
General principles of DNA extractionp. 27
DNA extraction from challenging samplesp. 30
Quantification of DNAp. 32
DNA IQ systemp. 36
Referencesp. 36
The polymerase chain reactionp. 39
The evolution of PCR-based profiling in forensic geneticsp. 39
DNA replication - the basis of the PCRp. 40
The components of PCRp. 40
The PCR processp. 42
PCR inhibitionp. 44
Sensitivity and contaminationp. 45
The PCR laboratoryp. 46
Further readingp. 48
Referencesp. 48
The analysis of short tandem repeatsp. 51
Structure of STR locip. 51
The development of STR multiplexesp. 51
Detection of STR polymorphismsp. 54
Interpretation of STR profilesp. 56
Further readingp. 61
Referencesp. 61
Assessment of STR profilesp. 65
Stutter peaksp. 65
Split peaks (+/-A)p. 65
Pull-upp. 67
Template DNAp. 68
Overloaded profilesp. 68
Low copy number DNAp. 68
Peak balancep. 70
Mixturesp. 70
Degraded DNAp. 71
Referencesp. 73
Statistical interpretation of STR profilesp. 75
Population geneticsp. 75
Deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibriump. 76
Statistical tests to determine deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibriump. 77
Estimating the frequencies of STR profilesp. 78
Corrections to allele frequency databasesp. 78
Which population frequency database should be used?p. 83
Conclusionsp. 83
Further readingp. 84
Referencesp. 84
The evaluation and presentation of DNA evidencep. 87
Hierarchies of propositionsp. 87
Likelihood ratiosp. 89
Two fallaciesp. 93
Comparison of three approachesp. 94
Further readingp. 95
Referencesp. 95
Databases of DNA profilesp. 97
The UK National DNA database (NDNAD)p. 97
International situationp. 102
Referencesp. 104
Kinship testingp. 105
Paternity testingp. 105
Identification of human remainsp. 111
Further readingp. 112
Referencesp. 112
Single nucleotide polymorphismsp. 115
SNPs - occurrence and structurep. 115
Detection of SNPsp. 115
SNP detection for forensic applicationsp. 117
Forensic applications of SNPsp. 119
SNPs compared to STR locip. 120
Further readingp. 121
Referencesp. 121
Lineage markersp. 125
Mitochondriap. 125
Applications of mtDNA profilingp. 127
The Y chromosomep. 130
Forensic applications of Y chromosome polymorphismsp. 131
Further readingp. 132
Referencesp. 133
Forensic parametersp. 137
Useful web linksp. 139
Glossaryp. 141
Abbreviationsp. 145
Indexp. 147
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

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