Validation of DNA micro array and next generation sequencing of alternative markers to STRs in forensic DNA analysis

The Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science is a 10 year, £10million project designed to addresses the scientific deficiencies in many currently used evidence types. It seeks to raise the underlying basic scientific precepts to legal admissibility thereby restoring judicial and public confidence in the science. LRCFS works in partnership with judicial, legal, scientific, law enforcement and industrial colleagues. The key research questions that underpin the project relate to reframing the scientific activity inherent in all forensic evidence types: detection, recognition, comparison, interpretation/evaluation and communication.

As part of our research team you will also be undertaking a Post Graduate Certificate in research methods which integrates with, and runs alongside, your research work providing a frame work for the development of core research skills, creative research design, data processing, public engagement, communication and research leadership.

Forensic DNA analysis has for the past 30 years used fundamentally the same types of DNA markers to generate DNA profiles. However, as DNA detection and amplification technologies have improved in sensitivity, an increasing number of analysed forensic samples contain DNA from multiple contributors. The complexity of the data coupled with the limited number of DNA targets being exploited leads to difficulty in interpreting the information and in identifying the DNA profile of different individuals unequivocally. This has resulted, in some cases, in inconsistent or conflicting results being presented and in the courts increasingly questioning the validity of the evidence derived from some complex DNA samples. To address these challenges, we are offering the opportunity to study for a PhD in the field of Forensic DNA analysis. This 3 year project will take an alternative look at DNA from a new and exciting direction focused more on the state of the art DNA analysis available within the health and life sciences domains.