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Course Overview:
This course has been designed specifically
for law enforcement officers. Whether a patrol officer, or a veteran
detective, officers will surely at some point in their careers be involved
in a case with DNA evidence. It is therefore imperative that every officer
has a working knowledge of forensic DNA analysis including what types of
evidence items will typically yield usable DNA profiles. The collection of
DNA evidence is just the beginning of this course, however. A multitude of
topics including the National DNA Database (CODIS), Understanding the DNA
Report, and Forensic DNA Statistics 101 will be discussed. In addition,
in-depth information regarding such hot-button issues as Familial DNA
Searching, Arizona-Style Searches, and Transfer (or Touch) DNA will be
provided along with a discussion of some of the newer techniques in DNA
analysis like Y-STR testing, Mini STR testing, Mitochondrial DNA analysis,
and Animal DNA analysis.
This course is designed for both beginner
and advanced students, with the beginner course taught as either a
stand-alone course (including topics such as Biological Evidence Collection,
and Overview of Forensic Serology and DNA, and the National DNA Database) or
together with the more advanced topics such that officers with a need for
only basic information could attend the first 4.5 hours of the course and
more advanced students would remain to take the rest of the total 14 hour/2
day course.
Upon completion of the course, the officer in the beginner course
will:
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Learn how biological fluids, including
blood, semen, and saliva are identified both at the scene and in the
forensic laboratory
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Be able to discuss the importance of
avoiding contamination of the evidence during the collection and
packaging phases of biological evidence
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Learn the proper collection and packaging of
biological evidence items and reference DNA samples
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Be able to list examples of the types of
materials commonly found at various crime scenes that can be considered
good DNA evidence
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Learn how evidence items submitted to the
forensic laboratory are screened for the presence of biological fluids
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Be able to list and discuss the various
steps involved in the DNA analysis process
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Be able to list body fluids and tissues that
are considered good sources of DNA
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Identify some of the limitations of DNA
testing
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Understand what the CODIS system is and what
the purpose of the national DNA database is.
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Be able to describe the various levels of
the CODIS system and the various indexes that make up the database
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Gain a clearer understanding of what DNA
profiles are eligible for upload into the National Database, and what
profiles are not.
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Learn how a DNA profile is searched in the
CODIS system and what happens if a "hit" occurs at the local, state, or
national level.
In addition, Advanced students in this course will:
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Learn what Familial DNA Searching is and
what agencies are using it
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Learn how Familial DNA Searching can be used
to help provide leads in unsolved cases
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Learn what "touch" or transfer DNA is and
where it can be found
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Be introduced to DNA techniques such as Y-STR
analysis, MiniSTR analysis, and mitochondrial DNA analysis
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Learn about animal DNA typing and it’s uses
in modern case investigation
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Be introduced to a typical forensic serology
and DNA report and be able to discuss the various components of the
report
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Be provided with a brief introduction to
statistics and how they are applied to DNA cases
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Learn how multiple sections of a crime
laboratory can examine the same piece of evidence and find different
useful information
Contact PPSC about having your agency host
this program.
877-267-7772 Ext. 3
or e-mail us:
training@theppsc.org
Course Instructor: Suzanna R. Ryan, MS
Suzanna Ryan is a forensic DNA consultant
with over 10 years of experience in the forensic DNA field. Ms. Ryan has a
Master of Science in Forensic Science from the Virginia Commonwealth
University in Richmond, VA. She began her forensic DNA case-working career
at the Bode Technology Group, Inc – a private DNA laboratory in Springfield,
VA where she also performed DNA analysis on victim’s of mass disaster such
as the Alaska Airlines crash, the Bosnian war, and the World Trade Center
disaster. Ms. Ryan also has forensic DNA casework experience in two
government crime laboratories, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and
the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Crime Lab. Suzanna’s last
laboratory position was as Forensic DNA Technical Leader of an ASCLD/LAB
accredited private DNA laboratory in San Diego, CA.
Ms. Ryan has personally worked thousands
of serology and DNA cases and has testified over 40 times as an expert
witness in seven states. Along with her current position as forensic DNA
consultant with Ryan Forensic DNA Consulting, Ms. Ryan has also taught both
the Advanced Forensic Serology and DNA course and the Advanced
Criminalistics course for the Master of Forensic Science program at National
University.
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