SLE228 - Forensic Genomics
Unit details
| Year: | 2022 unit information |
|---|---|
| Important Update: | Unit delivery will be in line with the most current COVIDSafe health guidelines. We continue to tailor learning experiences for each unit to achieve the best possible mix of online and on-campus activities that successfully blend our approaches to learning, working and research. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates. Last updated: 4 March 2022 |
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Annalisa Durdle |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 1 x 1 hour online class per week, 1 x 1 hour seminar per week, 5 x 3 hour practicals per trimester. |
Content
Advances in genomic techniques have allowed genetic data to be obtained faster, cheaper, and in greater volume than ever before. It is also means genetic information can now be obtained from minute amounts of biological material. This has significant implications for forensic science. Forensic biologists are now able to not only identify individuals from DNA, but can also use it for a myriad of forensic applications, including predicting how a person looks, determining cause of death, genealogical relationships and distinguishing between twins. DNA data can also be used in investigations in the food industry to identify bacterial contaminates in processed and unprocessed food items, species substitutions in the seafood industry and in wildlife forensics to identify protected species or their products. Such information can be critical in criminal investigations. This unit covers both contemporary forensic DNA analysis, and emerging applications and techniques, and aims to provide students with important theory and basic skills in the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of forensic DNA data.
The unit includes both theoretical and practical components. Students will learn how DNA is currently analysed in criminal investigations, include vetting of cases, Short Tandem Repeat and fragment analysis, DNA profile interpretation, and Bayesian statistical analysis and presentation of data. Advanced techniques using next generation sequencing, and the interpretation of these data, will also be covered. Forensic applications of both contemporary and next generation sequencing techniques, and the advantages and limitations of each, will be discussed.
| ULO | These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Develop the knowledge and basic skills required to acquire, analyse and interpret forensic DNA using both contemporary and next generation sequencing techniques. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Evaluate the probative value of evidence and prioritise the analysis of items of evidence from a single case based on their probative value. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Identify what DNA information is required for investigative purposes, and identify which technique is most appropriate for obtaining that information. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Communicate technical forensic genomic terms effectively articulately and in a professional manner to audiences of varying scientific and forensic knowledge, education and/or experience. This will include fellow forensic biologists; people with science or forensic, but not genomic, backgrounds; people with education but no science background; and laypeople. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical report | Written reports | 50% | Within 1 week concluding the practical session |
| Online quizzes | Five 30-minute multiple choice online quizzes | 20% (5 x 4%) | Fortnightly |
| Forensic case report | Written report, maximum 2,000 words | 30% | Week 11 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Hurdle requirement
To be eligible to obtain a pass in this unit, students must achieve at least 50% in the practical component.
Learning Resource
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE228 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
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