Molecular biology in the judiciary

intermediate

Lecture: BI2_W01,BI2_W03,BI2_W05,BI2_U04,BI2_U07

Practice: BI2_W03,BI2_U01,BI2_U04,BI2_U05,BI2_U07,BI2_K06,BI2_K07

The course includes lectures and auditorium classes.

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with modern methods of molecular biology techniques, used in the identification of organic material (plant tissues, animals, humans) in judiciary pursuits and forensic science.

The lectures cover DNA analysis in evidence proceedings in forensic botany, history of DNA tests in forensics, the definition of evidence, evidence proceedings and basic forensic activities on the example of court cases, methods of securing biological traces and isolating DNA in plants, and methods of securing biological traces and DNA isolation in animals and humans. In addition, the student becomes familiar with the analysis of the relationship and individual identification of organisms, techniques of genetic identification of nuclear DNA, and organelle DNA in plants, animals, and humans. Genetic tests are considered to establish paternity with detailed database analysis and the basic principles of preparing a forensic opinion.

The exercises consist of the analysis of specific court cases, the so-called study case. Students conduct their own investigations based on the molecular evidence they collect. A study visit is carried out to the Forensic Laboratory of the Headquarters of the Capital City of Warsaw or the Medical University of Warsaw, during which students learn about the practical activities of personal identification based on secured traces, e.g. mechanoscopic, dactyloscopic and molecular (DNA).

Compulsory literature:

1. An Introduction to Forensic Genetics. W. Goodwin, A. Linacre, S. Hadi. John Wiley & Sons Ltd., Great Britain, 2007

2. Molecular biology in medicine, edited by J. Bal. PWN SA, Warsaw, 2013

3. Molecular biology. Short lectures. P.C. Turner, A.G. McLennan, A.D. Bates, M.R.H. White. PWN SA, Warsaw, 2012

4. Molecular markers, natural history and evolution. J.C. Avise. WUW, Warsaw, 2008

5. Application of wood DNA analyzes in criminal proceedings. J.A. Nowakowska, T. Pasternak. Ed. CILP, 2014.

Additional literature:

1. INTERPOL, GeneWatch UK, CODIS internet databases

2. Source literature, provided during the classes by the teacher.

Subject effects in terms of knowledge:

Subject effect 1: The graduate knows and has an in-depth understanding of advanced biological phenomena and processes as well as key issues in the field of advanced detailed knowledge of molecular biology in the judiciary (W)

Subject effect 2: knows and understands the most important problems in the field of various branches of molecular biology in the judiciary and knows the interrelationship of biological sciences with other natural disciplines and with exact sciences, e.g. genetics and statistics (W + CA)

Subject effect 3: knows and understands the fundamental dilemmas of modern civilization (legal and ethical) related to biological sciences in the judiciary, knows the forms of obtaining funds for molecular research for judicial purposes and the principles of creating forensic expertise (W)

Subject effects in terms of skills:

Subject effect 4: The graduate is able to use advanced techniques and research tools of molecular biology in the judiciary, information and statistical techniques to describe phenomena and analyze data in the field of forensic expertise (CA)

Subject effect 5: is able to use the possessed knowledge, collect and interpret empirical data from various sources, and on this basis to formulate appropriate conclusions for judicial purposes (W + CA)

Subject effect 6: can prepare oral presentations in the field of molecular biology research in horticulture with the use of various means of verbal communication (CA)

Subject effect 7: can use the literature on molecular biology in the judiciary in English and Polish (W + CA)

Subject effects in the field of social competencies:

Subject effect 8: The graduate is ready to correctly identify and resolve dilemmas related to the profession of a novice molecular biology expert in the judiciary (CA)

Object Effect 9: Be prepared to demonstrate responsibility for risk assessment of the applied molecular identification research techniques of organisms and creating safe working conditions in a forensic molecular profile (CA) laboratory.

Subject learning outcomes assigned to lectures (1-3, 5, 7).

Subject learning outcomes assigned to the exercises (2, 4-9).

ECTS [1 ECTS = 30 hours]

Participation in the lecture - 15h

Preparation for the exam - 30h

Participation in exercises - 30h

Preparation for exercises - 25h

Preparation for tests - 10h

Consultation - 10h

Sum: 120h [120/30 = 4]

Ways of verifying learning outcomes in terms of knowledge:

- positive completion of exercises (subject effects 2, 4-9)

- positive assessment of the test (subject effects 1-3, 5, 7)

Lecture: Written exam with open-ended, test, and multiple-choice questions. The following grading scale applies: 94 - 100% very good (5.0), 88 - 93% plus good (4.5), 80 - 87% good (4.0), 70 - 79% plus satisfactory (3.5), 60 - 69% satisfactory (3.0), less than 59.9% insufficient (2.0). The condition for passing the course is attendance at the classes and active participation of the student in the auditorium exercises.

Assessment methods and criteria - exercises:

Final grade based on partial grades obtained during the semester from tests and activity in classes. Classes are credited if the student: (i) actively participated in at least 85% of the classes; (ii) work during the classes in a way that allows for a positive assessment of the knowledge, skills, and social competencies obtained in the course of the classes (described in the syllabus as subject learning outcomes 2, 4-9).

The range of grades from the colloquium:

94 - 100% - 5

93 - 88% - 4,5

87 - 80% - 4

79 - 70% - 3,5

69 - 60% - 3

less than 59.9% - 2

A student may have 1 unexcused absence, but the presence during study visits is obligatory.

To grade 2 (Ndst.): The graduate does not know and understand basic biological phenomena and processes as well as key issues in the field of advanced detailed knowledge of molecular biology in the judiciary; has no knowledge of the most important problems in the field of various branches of molecular biology in the judiciary and does not know at all the interrelationships of biological sciences with other natural disciplines and with exact sciences, e.g. genetics and statistics; does not know and understand the fundamental (legal and ethical) dilemmas of contemporary civilization related to biological sciences in the judiciary, does not know any forms of fundraising for molecular research for judicial purposes and has no knowledge of the principles of creating forensic expertise; The graduate is not able to use any techniques and research tools of molecular biology in the judiciary, or basic information and statistical techniques to describe phenomena and analyze data in the field of forensic expertise; he is not able to use his knowledge at all, nor to collect and interpret empirical data from various sources, and on this basis he is not able to formulate appropriate conclusions for judicial purposes; is unable to prepare an oral presentation in the field of research on molecular biology in the judiciary with the use of various means of verbal communication, and is not at all able to use literature on molecular biology in judiciary in English and Polish; The graduate is not ready at all to correctly identify and resolve dilemmas related to the profession of a novice molecular biology expert in the judiciary, and does not show any responsibility for assessing the risks arising from the research techniques used for molecular identification of organisms and creating conditions for safe work in a forensic laboratory with a profile molecular.

To grade 3 (dst.): The graduate at the basic level knows and understands advanced biological phenomena and processes as well as key issues in the field of advanced detailed knowledge of molecular biology in the judiciary; has a basic knowledge of the most important problems in the field of various branches of molecular biology in the judiciary and has a basic understanding of the interrelationships of biological sciences with other natural disciplines and with exact sciences, e.g. genetics and statistics; basicly knows and understands the fundamental (legal and ethical) dilemmas of contemporary civilization related to biological sciences in the judiciary, knows some forms of fundraising for molecular research for judicial purposes and has a narrow knowledge of the principles of creating forensic expertise; Basic graduates are able to use information and statistical techniques to describe phenomena and analyze data in the field of forensic expertise; at a basic level, he can use his knowledge, collect and interpret empirical data from various sources, and on this basis is able to formulate appropriate conclusions for judicial purposes; can prepare a basic oral presentation in the field of research on molecular biology in the judiciary with the use of various means of verbal communication, and can use literature on molecular biology in judiciary in English and Polish at a basic level; The graduate is partially ready to correctly identify and resolve dilemmas related to the practice of a novice molecular biology expert in the judiciary, and partially shows the responsibility for assessing the risks arising from the research techniques used to identify molecular organisms and create safe working conditions in a forensic laboratory with a molecular profile.

To mark 4 (db.): The graduate knows and understands advanced biological phenomena and processes as well as key issues in the field of advanced detailed knowledge of molecular biology in the judiciary; has a thorough knowledge of the most important problems in the field of various branches of molecular biology in the judiciary and knows the interrelationships of biological sciences with other natural disciplines and with exact sciences, e.g. genetics and statistics; knows and understands the fundamental (legal and ethical) dilemmas of contemporary civilization related to biological sciences in the judiciary, knows well some forms of obtaining funds for molecular research for judicial purposes and has a wide knowledge of the principles of creating forensic expertise; The graduate is able to use information and statistical techniques to describe phenomena and analyze data in the field of forensic expertise; is able to use his knowledge well, collect and interpret empirical data from various sources, and on this basis is able to formulate appropriate conclusions for judicial purposes; is able to prepare an oral presentation well in the field of research on molecular biology in the judiciary with the use of various means of verbal communication, and is able to correctly use the literature on molecular biology in the judiciary in English and Polish; The graduate is ready to correctly identify and resolve dilemmas related to the profession of a novice molecular biology expert in the judiciary, and shows proper responsibility for assessing the risks arising from the research techniques used for molecular identification of organisms and creating safe working conditions in a forensic laboratory with a molecular profile.

To grade 5 (very good): The graduate knows and understands advanced biological phenomena and processes as well as key issues in the field of advanced detailed knowledge of molecular biology in the judiciary at a very good level; has excellent knowledge of the most important problems in the field of various branches of molecular biology in the judiciary and is very familiar with the interrelationships of biological sciences with other natural disciplines and with exact sciences, e.g. genetics and statistics; knows very well and understands the fundamental (legal and ethical) dilemmas of contemporary civilization related to biological sciences in the judiciary, knows very well various forms of obtaining funds for molecular research for judicial purposes and has a very wide knowledge of the principles of creating forensic expertise; The graduate is able to apply information and statistical techniques to a very good degree to describe phenomena and analyze data in the field of forensic expertise; is able to use his knowledge very well, collect and interpret empirical data from various sources, and on this basis is able to formulate appropriate conclusions for judicial purposes; is able to prepare an oral presentation very well in the field of research on molecular biology in the judiciary with the use of various means of verbal communication, and is able to correctly use the literature on molecular biology in the judiciary in English and Polish; The graduate is ready to correctly identify and resolve dilemmas related to the profession of a novice molecular biology expert in the judiciary, and shows a very correct responsibility for assessing the risks arising from the research techniques used for molecular identification of organisms and creating conditions for safe work in a forensic laboratory with a molecular profile.