Research and Innovation in Forensic Biophysics

Course manual 2023/2024

Course content

This course will start with an introduction in the concept of scientific methodology and the role of research in Forensic science. Exercises will be given which involve summarizing literature and extraction of research questions for follow up research. We will apply this knowledge, with increasing level during the course on several selected topics. Week 2 and 3 will be used to introduce the concepts of activity level analysis of traces and importance of the time line of events. Also, optics with a focus on microscopy will be introduced in week 2 and 3. In week 4 and 5, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) will be the central topic. Also for this topic, we will critically review currently used techniques for BPA, and write a scientific report, including the statistical accuracy of the measurements. Week 6 and 7 will cover aspects of forensic fingermark analysis, starting with an introduction and an overview of current research topics. The course will be concluded with writing a research proposal containing a summary of current research, research questions for follow–up research and a proper study design.

Study materials

Literature

• ARW Jackson, JM Jackson. Forensic Science (3ed) Pearson: 2011. (9780273738404)

• Inman K, Rudin N. The origin of the evidence. Forensic Sci Intl 2002; 126: 11-6.

Syllabus

Objectives

• 1. Estimate the forensic value of selected, routinely used, forensic methods using their knowledge of the scientific foundation (or the lack thereof) of these methods.
• 2. Select relevant (scientifically good quality) articles, based on e.g. whether the study design and results lead to the reported conclusion, and the quality of the methodology & statistical analysis.
• 3. Evaluate the degree of probability with which the conclusions in short lab reports, based on practical work in the fields of experimental hair comparison and blood pattern analysis, was drawn.
• 4. Define research questions and design a viable research proposal, including a sound methodological and statistical approach to answer the research questions and forensic/societal relevance.
• 5. Explain basic knowledge of optics and its forensic applications (microscopy, alternate light sources) to optimally utilize them in various types of crime scenes, considering their limitations.
• 6. Use knowledge on the physical properties of blood, blood droplets and blood patterns to estimate the possible volume of origin on a crime scene, considering the limitations of the analysis.
• 7. Explain the basics of fingermark analysis and know the possibilities and limitations.
• 8. Describe how different disciplines (like entomology, digital forensics) contribute to crime scene investigation.
• 9. Apply knowledge on post-mortem body decomposition to determine the time of death and its accuracy in a case study.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Computer lab session/practical training
• Self-study

Learning activities

Attendance

This programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (OER part B).

Additional requirements for this course:

Attending all scheduled education activities is strongly advised. By doing so, you actively contribute to a lively learning community and significantly improve your chances of successfully completing the course. The designated mandatory activities play a crucial role in achieving the course objectives and are essential for your overall progress.

Additional requirements for this course:
It is presupposed that all students will be present in class. More than 20% absence will automatically result in the loss of credit for that particular part of the course. 

If a practical is missed, the student must inform the teacher prior to the practical and the absence must be compensated with a literature assignment.

Assessment

All components will be graded on a scale from 1 to 10, with a maximum of one decimal after the point. These grades are used to calculate the final grade. In order to pass the course, all components and the final grade have to be sufficient, i.e. at least a five and a half. When a student has not fulfilled this requirement, the examiner will register the mark ‘did not fulfil all requirements’ (NAV) whether or not the averaged grade is sufficient.

The components will be weighted as follows:

1. Microscopy report on hair origin (10%, see also grading form on Canvas)
2. BPA report on point of origin (10%, see also grading form on Canvas))
3. Mini research proposal on BPA (20%, see also grading form on Canvas))
4. Research proposal on fingermarks (30%, see also grading form on Canvas))
5. Two sub exams (total of 30%)
   
   
   The final grade will be announced at the latest 15 working days after the final course activity (January 22th). Between this date and 35 working days after the final course activity (February 19h), a post-exam discussion or inspection moment will be planned. This will be announced on Canvas and/or via email
   
   

   		Exit qualifications
   Learning outcome	Components (see above)	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
   1	4,5								x
   2	3,4								x
   3	1,2				x
   4	4				x
   5	1,5		x
   6	2,3,5		x
   7	4,5		x
   8	5		x
   9	5		x

   Table of specification: the relation between the Learning Outcomes (LO) of the course, the assessment components of the course and the Exit Qualifications (EQ) of the Master’s Forensic Science (described in the Introduction in the Course Catalogue

Assignments

Microscopy report on hair origin

The microscopy practical consists of several parts which have to be completed in pairs. Before the start of the practical, a manual will be handed out to the student. During the practical work, the students will answer questions about the observations and the meaning of these observations. These questions have to be answered in the report. The last assignment is a hair comparison assignment which involves matching a hair of an unknown donor to a hair from the pallet of hairs with known donors.

The product (the report) will be assessed on a team base. For every question there will be a numerical grade given. (not delivered=0, unsatisfactory=4, satisfactory=6, good=8, excellent=10).

BPA report on point of origin

The BPA practical starts with practical instructions on how to determine the volume of origin from a blood spatter pattern. A step-by-step manual on how to perform stringing will be handed out at the start of the session. The students work in groups of 4 or 5 on each BPA pattern. After following all steps, the stringing exercise will result in an estimation of the volume of origin. All steps of the method and the estimation of the volume of origin (including uncertainties) have to be reported in a forensic report, aimed at lay readers. The format of the forensic report will be explained in the practical manual. The product (the report) will be assessed on a team base.

Mini research proposal on BPA/other topic

Based on the requirements for section of high quality articles, literature must be found to obtain knowledge on the current state and main (future) research direction in the field of BPA or the topic chosen in week 2.. The articles must be summarized and, based on the strength and weaknesses of the currently used methods, research questions must be defined. This results in a report in journal article form with a maximal length of two A4s.

The report will be assessed on an individual base for which a standard assessment form will be used (see Appendix 2c).

Research proposal on fingermarks

Based on the requirements for section of high quality articles, literature must be found to obtain knowledge on the current state and main (future) research direction in the field of BPA. A coherent overview must be composed and, based on the strength and weaknesses of the currently used methods, research questions must be defined and a research plan must be written which, according to the student, will advance the technique. This results in a research proposal. The format will be handed out at the beginning of the assignment.

The report will be assessed on an individual base for which a standard assessment form will be used (see Appendix 2d).

Final exam (2 subexams)

The exam of this course will be a written examination, based on the content covered during the lessons.

The final exam will be assessed on an individual base. The exam is designed to assess the theoretical and practical aspects related to the learning outcomes 1 (15%), 2 (55%) and 3 (30%).

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Contact information

Coordinator

• prof. dr. M.C.G. Aalders