Course: DNA Profiling and Its Forensic Interpretation

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Course title DNA Profiling and Its Forensic Interpretation
Course code MTM/VCB31
Organizational form of instruction Seminar
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 2
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Drábek Jiří, prof. Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Srovnal Josef, MUDr. Ph.D.
  • Slavkovský Rastislav, Ing. Ph.D.
Course content
Although discrimination power of DNA profiling is very high and comparable only to fingerprinting, its interpretation depends on context and there are circumstances where it does not reach the conclusive statement about identity of two sources of DNA or about kinship. Students will be exposed to logical, Bayesian interpretation of evidence within forensic context and with basics of population genetics. They will apply this knowledge to kinship testing and analysis of DNA traces from the crimescene.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook), Activating (Simulations, Games, Dramatization)
  • Attendace - 0.5 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
Students are introduced to probabilistic inferential logic and population genetics to allow for interpretation of kinship testing and analysis of crimescene DNA traces.
The students will become generally familiar with the interpretation of DNA profiling in the forensic context using Bayes theorem.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of genetics essentials and CSI films.
BIO/VCB11
----- or -----
BIO/ZUB11

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance

Minimal requirements for credit are: presence at 3 seminars out of 4 and at least 3 correct answers in each of 3 online tests (4 tests available) where students will apply new knowledge to logical evaluation of DNA evidence. Credits will not be given if condition is not fulfilled.
Recommended literature
  • Drábek, J. (2011). Interpretace DNA profilů při určování otcovství a příbuznosti. Brno: Tribun EU.
  • Robertson, B. (1995). Interpreting Evidence: Evaluating Forensic Science in the Courtroom. Wiley.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Study plan (Version): General Medicine (2021) Category: Medical sciences 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Study plan (Version): General Medicine (2018) Category: Medical sciences 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Study plan (Version): General Medicine (2019) Category: Medical sciences 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: -