Forensic Biology
This paper should be between 5-7 full, double-spaced pages (excluding the reference section)
You will be expected to demonstrate an in-depth and clear understanding of the topic you
select. See the list below for possible topics for your research paper.
In addition to the depth of knowledge of the subject matter, your project will be evaluated
for clarity, proper sentence and paragraph structure, and proper resource citation.
Your assignment should be fully paraphrased in your own words, your own writing style,
and structure. Changing a few words in a sentence copied from an information source is not
fully paraphrasing. Content from the course materials and outside sources either needs to be
fully paraphrased or quotation marks need to be added before and after the copied text,
followed by an in-text citation. A general rule of thumb is no more than 10% direct quotes
in an assignment.
Reference citations must be provided in APA format. There should be a minimum of 10
references and at least three of them **must** be original, primary research articles. The
original research references (publications) may come from the journals, Journal of Forensic
Sciences, Forensic Science International, or other peer-reviewed sources.
The Following are Suggested Topics for Research Investigation for the Forensic Biology 320
Research Project:
Forensic Biology Databases (Thoroughly, Research one of the following: Including CODIS,
STRbase, mtDNA databases, Y-STR Databases, Fingerprint Databases, Hair Databases,
Biometric Databases, Facial Recognition/Databases, Iris Recognition/Databases, Voice
Recognition/Databases, Forensic Information or Interactive Databases).
Forensic Serology Testing. Detailed study of serological testing and applications.
Forensic Botany. We don’t cover this in class, but it is certainly a valid forensic field of study.
Forensic Entomology. Forensically relevant studies of insects, such as post mortem interval,
detection of human DNA from certain insects, such as mosquitos, lice, ticks, etc.
Fish and Wildlife applications of Forensics: Novel applications and methods used in Fish
and Wildlife cases.
Animal Forensics: Forensic DNA Identification of domestic animals.
Forensic Hair Analysis. Forensic Hair comparisons and studies.
Forensic DNA Analysis. Short Tandem Repeat (STR) New Developments, Single Nucleotide
Polymorphism (SNP) used in Forensics, mitochondrial DNA analysis (mtDNA) new
developments, X chromosomal STR’s studies, and Y chromosomal STR studies. https://
strbase.nist.gov//
Microbial Forensics. Forensic studies related to microorganisms.
Forensic Toxicology. New methods and applications, Forensic testing of designer/synthetic
drugs.
Forensic Pathology. Medical Examiners, Death Investigations. Forensic Pathology novel
findings in cases.
Forensic Biology Validation Studies: Research on validation studies done for a particular
subject in Forensic Biology, e.g. DNA, fingerprints, etc.
Discussion Rubric (3 Topics)
Course: BIOL 320 6381 Forensic Biology (2222)
Criteria Level 5 Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Criterion
Score
Number of
Posts to
Different
Topics
/ 20
Content of
topics
/ 30
20 points
Posted to
three different
Main topics
17 points
Posted to two
different Main
topics
14 points
Several posts
under one
Main topic
11 points
Posted to one
different Main
topic
8 points
One late post
30 points
Content of all
three topic
discussions
are
paraphrased,
comprehensiv
e, accurate,
and
integrative to
course
readings and
viewings;
flawless
example for
others to
emulate
26 points
Accurate
paraphrased
content that
mostly
integrates
course
readings and
viewings for
three different
topics
OR
Excellent
content in two
different
topics.
23 points
Added to the
conversation
with relevant
and supported
perspective,
but did not
directly
address the
concepts
under
discussion for
three different
topics
OR
Good content
under only
two different
topics
19 points
Minor
inaccuracies or
mainly
unsupported
opinion under
three different
topics
OR
Weak content
under two
different
topics
OR
Good content
under one
topic