LABORATORY OF MEDICAL GENETICS AND FORENSIC BIOTECHNOLOGY
Module LABORATORIO DI BIOTECNOLOGIE FORENSI

Academic Year 2024/2025 - Teacher: FRANCESCO SESSA

Expected Learning Outcomes

The student will attend the U.O. of Forensic Medicine, with particular reference to the Forensic Genetics Laboratory, to acquire skills in a specialist field, learning the general principles of forensic medicine and forensic practice.

Course Structure

Teaching takes place through lectures according to the timetable, and extra activities including, for example, attendance at the forensic genetics laboratory. If the teaching is taught in mixed or remote mode, the necessary variations may be introduced with respect to what was previously stated, in order to respect the program foreseen and reported in the Syllabus.

Attendance of Lessons

Mandatory

Detailed Course Content

Basic knowledge regarding the following topics:

-inspection and detection of genetic traces from any type of finding;

-techniques aimed at research and diagnosis of biological traces and fingerprints on forensic findings, also through the use of forensic lamps and UV lamps;

-generic and specific tests for the identification of traces of blood, saliva, hidden blood, washed blood, semen, sweat, vaginal secretions, urine, bone findings, teeth, hair formations and others;

- extraction of genomic DNA with magnetic resins, with silica resins and differential lysis;

-quantification of DNA through spectrophotometric and real-time methods;

-characterization of biological material through validated forensic analysis kits;

- STR microsatellite typing for human identification;

- analysis of messenger RNA (mRNA) for the certain identification of the nature of the biological trace;

Textbook Information

J. BUTLER. FOUNDAMENTAL   OF FORENSIC DNA TYPING. 2009, AP

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Oral examination. Verification of learning can also be carried out electronically, should conditions require it.

The test consists of an interview in which n. 3 questions that concern at least n. 3 different program topics. The test allows you to verify: i) the level of basic knowledge of the key principles of forensic medicine; ii) the ability to apply this knowledge to resolve specific problems relating to sectors of forensic medicine (problem solving and independent judgement); iii) clarity of presentation; iv) the ownership of medical-scientific language.

The following parameters will be taken into account for the attribution of the final grade:

Score 29-30 cum laude: the student has an in-depth knowledge of the main notions of the program, is able to promptly and correctly integrate and critically analyze the situations presented, independently solving diagnostic problems even of high complexity; He has excellent communication skills and masters medical-scientific and anatomopathological language.

Score 26-28: the student has a good knowledge of the main notions of the program, is able to integrate and analyze the situations presented in a critical and linear way, is able to solve complex diagnostic problems quite autonomously and explains the topics clearly using a appropriate medical-scientific and anatomical-pathological language;

Score 22-25: the student has a fair knowledge of the main notions of the program, even if limited to the main topics; she manages to integrate and analyze the situations presented in a critical but not always linear way and exposes the topics quite clearly with a good command of language;

Score 18-21: the student has minimal knowledge of the main notions of the program, has a modest ability to integrate and critically analyze the situations presented and presents the topics in a sufficiently clear way although the language skills are poorly developed;

Exam not passed: the student does not have the minimum required knowledge of the main contents of the course. The ability to use specific language is very poor or non-existent and he is not able to apply the acquired knowledge independently.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

-inspection and detection of genetic traces from any type of finding;

-techniques aimed at research and diagnosis of biological traces and fingerprints on forensic findings, also through the use of forensic lamps and UV lamps;

-generic and specific tests for the identification of traces of blood, saliva, hidden blood, washed blood, semen, sweat, vaginal secretions, urine, bone findings, teeth, hair formations and others;

- extraction of genomic DNA with magnetic resins, with silica resins and differential lysis;

-quantification of DNA through spectrophotometric and real-time methods;

-characterization of biological material through validated forensic analysis kits;

- STR microsatellite typing for human identification;

- analysis of messenger RNA (mRNA) for the certain identification of the nature of the biological trace;

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