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ForensicSpot10 modules

Forensic Biology

The biological evidence hub: cell and DNA fundamentals, the types of biological evidence, hair, bone and tissue, and how biology becomes a DNA profile.

  • 5hours
  • 30topics
  • 10modules
Start learningBrowse modules
Module 10.5 hrs3 topics

Biological Evidence in Forensic Science

What counts as biological evidence and how the field is organised.

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  1. The Scope of Biological Evidence in Forensic Science8 min
  2. History and Development of Forensic Biology9 min
  3. Forensic Biology Laboratory Organisation and Accreditation8 min
Module 20.5 hrs3 topics

Cell and Molecular Biology Foundations

Cells, organelles, nucleic acids and proteins for the forensic scientist.

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  1. Cell Structure and Organelles for Forensic Scientists9 min
  2. Nucleic Acids: Structure and Function9 min
  3. Proteins and Enzymes in Biological Evidence9 min
Module 30.5 hrs3 topics

DNA Structure and the Genome

DNA, chromosomes, genes, replication and the human genome at a working level.

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  1. The DNA Double Helix and Base Pairing8 min
  2. Chromosomes, Genes and the Human Genome9 min
  3. DNA Replication and Mutation8 min
Module 40.5 hrs3 topics

Types of Biological Evidence

Blood, semen, saliva, hair, bone, tissue and touch evidence as biological material.

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  1. Blood as Biological Evidence8 min
  2. Semen, Saliva and Other Body Fluids as Evidence8 min
  3. Touch DNA and Trace Biological Material9 min
Module 50.5 hrs3 topics

Hair as Biological Evidence

Hair structure, growth, and what hair can and cannot establish.

Start module
  1. Hair Anatomy and the Growth Cycle8 min
  2. Hair Examination and Microscopy8 min
  3. Hair as a Source of DNA and Toxicological Information8 min
Module 60.5 hrs3 topics

Bones, Teeth and Tissues

The biological nature of skeletal and soft-tissue evidence and what it preserves.

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  1. Bone Biology and Forensic Significance8 min
  2. Dental Tissue and Its Forensic Applications8 min
  3. Soft Tissue Preservation and Decomposition8 min
Module 70.5 hrs3 topics

Plant, Insect and Microbial Evidence

An overview of botanical, entomological and microbial evidence, with links out.

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  1. Botanical Evidence: An Overview8 min
  2. Entomological Evidence and Post-Mortem Interval Estimation8 min
  3. Microbial and Microbiome Evidence in Forensic Cases8 min
Module 80.5 hrs3 topics

Wildlife and Non-human Biology

Non-human biological evidence and the wildlife-forensics interface.

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  1. Non-Human DNA and Species Identification8 min
  2. Wildlife Crime and Biological Evidence9 min
  3. Companion Animal and Veterinary Forensic Biology9 min
Module 90.5 hrs3 topics

Collection, Preservation and Degradation

How biological evidence is collected, stored, and how it degrades.

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  1. Biological Evidence Collection Protocols8 min
  2. Packaging, Storage and the Cold Chain for Biological Evidence8 min
  3. DNA Degradation: Mechanisms, Inhibitors and Environmental Effects9 min
Module 100.5 hrs3 topics

From Biology to DNA Profiling

How biological samples are turned into DNA profiles, bridging to biotechnology.

Start module
  1. Biological Sample Screening and Presumptive Tests9 min
  2. DNA Extraction and Quantification from Biological Evidence9 min
  3. Interpreting Biological Evidence in Court10 min

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