ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Biology is the science of life and living organisms. Forensic Biology is the application of biological analytical methods to legal investigations. It involves the examination of evidential items for the purpose of linking individuals to those items and the analysis of body fluids collected at crime scenes and from articles of physical evidence for the purpose of identification and individualisation.

SUBMISSION EXAMPLES 

• Blood

• Semen

• Saliva

• Urine

• Faeces

• Tissues/ organs (liver, kidney, muscles, skin etc.)

• Bone (femur, cartilage, sternum)

• Hair with roots attached (head, armpit, leg, pubic area)

• Tooth with roots (especially, molar tooth)

• Swabs with biological fluid

• Fabric, clothing or other materials with biological fluid

• Weapons (knives, wood, firearm, etc.) with body fluid

ANALYTICAL SCOPE

• Examination of evidence to determine if human blood is present

• Examination of evidence to determine if human semen is present

• Examination of evidence to determine if human saliva is present

• Examination of evidence to determine if human urine is present

• Recovery and analysis of DNA recovered from evidence

• DNA Profiling

• DNA Comparison of unknown stains with known standards

• DNA Comparison (Paternity testing)

INSTRUMENTATION

The Biology Department employs a wide range of laboratory methods and instruments for body fluid identification and forensic DNA analysis inclusive of

• Presumptive Color Tests

• Field Test Kits

• Alternative light source (ALS)

• Microscopy: Light Microscopy

• Rapid DNA Analysis

• Traditional workflow, DNA Analysis