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This unit has been designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the technical and analytical features of Forensic DNA Analysis, or more appropriately, ‘forensic biology’. It is strongly focussed on how these methods are applied to forensic case work. The unit will cover; • Item identification • Molecular biology of DNA and STR’s • DNA profiling (‘DNA fingerprinting’) • Advanced PCR • Complex human STR interpretation • Y-STR profiling • Phylogenetic and statistical interpretation • Wildlife forensics • Degraded DNA • SNP biology • PCR contamination • Mass disaster identification • New technologies in forensics The unit has been specifically designed to enable students to critically interpret and understand the use of contemporary and new technology in forensic casework. Students will carry out the same techniques used in actual forensic biology laboratories. This will include extracting DNA, quantitating it, then conducting sequencing and STR analysis. It is important to understand that forensic science is multi-disciplinary – and BIO359 will draw on information covered in previous units, particularly the unit prerequisites. It is hoped the lectures and labs will provide students with not just forensic DNA theory but also a solid practical understanding of advanced molecular biology.