Banner
NATURAL SCIENCE
CSI: SEATTLE
Genetic, genomic, and computational tools have revolutionized the process of crime analysis by providing powerful means of identifying individuals from biological material left at a crime scene. This laboratory-based course introduces students to the molecular methods for analyzing small samples, the computer methods for comparing DNA sequences, and the population-genetic approaches that let one single out individuals from a large number of candidates. The course will use expertise from many sources: the UW Police Department to create the crime scene, the State Crime Lab to discuss crime-scene analysis, the Genome Sciences department to analyze materials that are key to identifying the culprit, the Biostatistics department to discuss the statistical methods needed for the analysis, and the Law School to evaluate the quality of the evidence. This course will introduce students to a variety of disciplines and give them hands-on experience of real methods used in forensics.

What the Course Covers
  • DNA collection, isolation and analysis
  • DNA variation between samples
  • Mock trial experience
Who Should Attend?
Students considering careers in biology research, forensics and the law, and students with a working knowledge of the biology and chemistry of DNA.

Credit Information
This course can be used toward completion of the Natural World (NW) requirement.

Credits: 5
Meets: T W Th F, 9–11:30 a.m.
Location: TBD
Instructor: Bonny Brewer
Course Number: GEN ST 162
Course Status: Open

REGISTER NOW