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.
- 60hours
- 30topics
- 10modules
Module 16 hrs3 topics
Biological evidence in forensic science
What counts as biological evidence and how the field is organised.
Start module- The Scope of Biological Evidence in Forensic ScienceDefines biological evidence and explains why it occupies a central role in criminal and civil investigations worldwide. Surveys the major categories of biological material recovered at crime scenes and the legal frameworks that govern their use.13 min
- History and Development of Forensic BiologyTraces forensic biology from early blood-typing in the early twentieth century through the DNA revolution of the 1980s to contemporary genomic methods. Highlights landmark cases that shaped laboratory standards and court acceptance of biological evidence.13 min
- Forensic Biology Laboratory Organisation and AccreditationDescribes how forensic biology units are structured within national and regional laboratories, from evidence reception through analysis and reporting. Covers accreditation standards such as ISO/IEC 17025 and the role of quality-management systems in producing court-admissible results.13 min
Module 26 hrs3 topics
Cell and molecular biology foundations
Cells, organelles, nucleic acids and proteins for the forensic scientist.
Start module- Cell Structure and Organelles for Forensic ScientistsReviews prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell architecture with emphasis on structures that matter in forensic analysis: the nucleus, mitochondria, cytoskeleton and cell membrane. Explains how cellular components serve as the physical substrate for DNA, protein and trace evidence.13 min
- Nucleic Acids: Structure and FunctionIntroduces DNA and RNA, their sugar-phosphate backbones, base-pairing rules and how sequence carries genetic information. Provides the molecular foundation needed to understand extraction, quantification and profiling workflows.13 min
- Proteins and Enzymes in Biological EvidenceCovers amino acid structure, protein folding and the catalytic role of enzymes relevant to forensic biology, including peroxidases used in presumptive blood tests. Explains how protein degradation affects the evidentiary value of biological samples over time.13 min
Module 36 hrs3 topics
DNA structure and the genome
DNA, chromosomes, genes, replication and the human genome at a working level.
Start module- The DNA Double Helix and Base PairingDescribes the Watson-Crick model of DNA, antiparallel strand orientation, hydrogen bonding between complementary bases and the stability this confers. Connects physical properties of the double helix to why DNA survives in biological evidence longer than most other biomolecules.13 min
- Chromosomes, Genes and the Human GenomeExplains how DNA is packaged into chromosomes, the distinction between coding genes and non-coding regions, and the scale of the human genome at roughly three billion base pairs. Introduces the concept of genetic variation and why certain loci are selected for forensic profiling.13 min
- DNA Replication and MutationOutlines the semi-conservative replication mechanism, the fidelity of DNA polymerase and sources of replication error. Discusses how spontaneous and environmentally induced mutations generate the heritable variation that underlies individual identification.13 min
Module 46 hrs3 topics
Types of biological evidence
Blood, semen, saliva, hair, bone, tissue and touch evidence as biological material.
Start module- Blood as Biological EvidenceDescribes the cellular and biochemical composition of blood and the properties that make it a valuable source of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Introduces bloodstain pattern analysis as a distinct discipline while focusing here on blood as a biological substrate.13 min
- Semen, Saliva and Other Body Fluids as EvidenceSurveys seminal fluid, saliva, vaginal secretions, sweat and urine as biological evidence types, covering their cellular content and evidentiary significance. Notes that detailed serological identification methods are covered in the linked serology subject.13 min
- Touch DNA and Trace Biological MaterialExplains how skin-cell transfer during contact deposits low-template DNA on handled surfaces and why touch evidence presents unique collection and interpretation challenges. Reviews transfer, persistence and secondary transfer phenomena that affect evidential weight.13 min
Module 56 hrs3 topics
Hair as biological evidence
Hair structure, growth, and what hair can and cannot establish.
Start module- Hair Anatomy and the Growth CycleDetails the three structural layers of the hair shaft (cuticle, cortex and medulla), the follicle anatomy and the anagen-catagen-telogen growth cycle. Explains how growth-phase determines whether a shed hair carries nuclear DNA or only mitochondrial DNA.13 min
- Hair Examination and MicroscopyCovers the microscopic features used to characterise hair: scale pattern, cortical texture, pigment distribution and medullary index. Addresses the limits of morphological comparison and why hair microscopy alone cannot provide individual identification.13 min
- Hair as a Source of DNA and Toxicological InformationExplains how nuclear DNA can be extracted from hair roots and mitochondrial DNA from shaft segments, and how each type of evidence is interpreted. Also describes how drugs and toxins are sequestered in the hair shaft over time, providing a chronological exposure record.13 min
Module 66 hrs3 topics
Bones, teeth and tissues
The biological nature of skeletal and soft-tissue evidence and what it preserves.
Start module- Bone Biology and Forensic SignificanceReviews bone microstructure, the collagen-hydroxyapatite matrix and how these components preserve DNA and stable isotopes across extended post-mortem intervals. Explains why compact cortical bone is preferred over trabecular bone for ancient or degraded samples.13 min
- Dental Tissue and Its Forensic ApplicationsDescribes the biology of enamel, dentine and cementum, and why teeth are among the most durable sources of DNA in skeletonised remains. Covers the use of dental tissue for DNA extraction, isotope analysis and age estimation.13 min
- Soft Tissue Preservation and DecompositionOutlines the biology of post-mortem change in soft tissues, from autolysis and putrefaction through adipocere and mummification, and how each pathway affects biological evidence. Discusses what cellular and molecular material can still be recovered from advanced decomposition.13 min
Module 76 hrs3 topics
Plant, insect and microbial evidence
An overview of botanical, entomological and microbial evidence, with links out.
Start module- Botanical Evidence: An OverviewIntroduces pollen, seeds, wood, diatoms and plant macrofossils as biological evidence, explaining how each can link a suspect or victim to a location. Directs readers to the forensic botany subject for detailed methodology and casework.13 min
- Entomological Evidence and Post-Mortem Interval EstimationSummarises how insect colonisation succession on remains provides a biological clock for estimating the post-mortem interval and recovering trace DNA from arthropod gut contents. Links out to the forensic entomology subject for species identification, succession ecology and laboratory protocols.13 min
- Microbial and Microbiome Evidence in Forensic CasesIntroduces the forensic microbiome: how the post-mortem microbial succession, soil microbiomes and host-associated microbiota can inform time-since-death, location and individual identity. Covers emerging metagenomics approaches and the current limits of courtroom admissibility.13 min
Module 86 hrs3 topics
Wildlife and non-human biology
Non-human biological evidence and the wildlife-forensics interface.
Start module- Non-Human DNA and Species IdentificationExplains how the same molecular tools used for human identification are applied to animal, plant and fungal biological material to establish species identity. Covers cytochrome b barcoding, nuclear markers and validated reference databases used in non-human casework.13 min
- Wildlife Crime and Biological EvidenceDescribes the types of biological evidence encountered in wildlife-trafficking and poaching investigations, from seized products to live animals, and the laboratory methods used to link evidence to protected species and populations. Links to the wildlife forensics subject for population genetics, CITES applications and case law.13 min
- Companion Animal and Veterinary Forensic BiologyCovers the use of pet hair, saliva, blood and other biological trace material from companion animals as evidence in criminal investigations and animal-cruelty prosecutions. Reviews species-specific reference databases and the transfer dynamics of animal biological material.13 min
Module 96 hrs3 topics
Collection, preservation and degradation
How biological evidence is collected, stored, and how it degrades.
Start module- Biological Evidence Collection ProtocolsDescribes standardised procedures for recovering biological evidence at crime scenes, covering swabbing techniques, cutting, scraping and the use of alternate light sources for detection. Emphasises documentation, chain of custody and personal protective equipment to prevent contamination.13 min
- Packaging, Storage and the Cold Chain for Biological EvidenceExplains why biological evidence must be dried before packaging, the role of paper versus plastic packaging and the temperature requirements that govern storage at the scene, in transit and in the laboratory. Reviews how breaches in the cold chain accelerate degradation and may invalidate DNA results.13 min
- DNA Degradation: Mechanisms, Inhibitors and Environmental EffectsCovers the chemical and biological mechanisms that fragment and chemically modify DNA in aged or environmentally challenged samples, including hydrolysis, oxidation and microbial nuclease activity. Reviews common PCR inhibitors found in casework samples and laboratory strategies for overcoming them.13 min
Module 106 hrs3 topics
From biology to DNA profiling
How biological samples are turned into DNA profiles, bridging to biotechnology.
Start module- Biological Sample Screening and Presumptive TestsDescribes the presumptive and confirmatory tests used to characterise recovered biological material before DNA extraction, from chemiluminescent blood tests to prostate-specific antigen assays. Explains how screening results guide sample prioritisation and resource allocation within the laboratory.13 min
- DNA Extraction and Quantification from Biological EvidenceOutlines the principal extraction strategies applied to forensic samples, including organic, Chelex and solid-phase methods, and explains how real-time PCR quantification determines human DNA yield before profiling. Serves as the bridge to the detailed amplification and typing workflows covered in the linked forensic biotechnology subject.13 min
- Interpreting Biological Evidence in CourtAddresses how biological evidence findings are communicated to courts through expert witness testimony, likelihood ratios and probabilistic genotyping, with reference to international reporting standards. Discusses the limits of biological evidence, common misinterpretations and the role of the forensic biologist in ensuring findings are not overstated.13 min