According to forensic serologist Marcella Jones of www.ForensicMentor.com, forensic serology is the analysis of body fluids as they relate to forensic cases, including DNA analysis. Accordingly, the role of the forensic serologist involves:
Examining evidence for the presence of body fluids e.g. blood, semen, hair, tissue, saliva, feces, and urine
Evaluating evidence for potential DNA analysis
Evaluating species of body fluids
Perform PCR (polymerase chain reaction) based typing of STR (short tandem repeat sequences) of genomic DNA, or mitochondrial sequence analysis of mitochondrial DNA
Statistically evaluating evidence relevant in the case to impart weight on the evidence
Performing all analysis with objectivity and unbiased scientific methods
Reporting and testifying regarding the results of analysis in court
Learn About Forensic Serology
Excellent lecture on forensic serology by Professor Jim Spencer of Syracuse University, who addresses what blood is, what it's chemisty is and how and why it is so important in forensic investigations.
Forensic Biology and Impression Evidence:
This comprehensive online course has been produced by Kaplan University as part of the OpenCourseWare initiative which provides free access to course materials for educators, students, and self-learners around the world.
This particular course explores the science of forensic biology and outlines the broad scope of laboratory tests used to investigate crimes involving blood and other body fluids.
What Will You Learn
The A-B-O antigens and antibodies found in the blood for each of the four blood types: A, B, AB, and O
How whole blood is typed
The forensic tests used to characterize a stain as blood
The concept of antigen-antibody interactions, how it's applied to species & drug identification
How the Punnett square is used to determine the genotypes and phenotypes of offspring
The proper collection of physical evidence in a rape investigation
You can access the Forensic Biology and Impression Evidence course by Clicking Here
Essential Forensic Serology Reading
Forensic Biology: Identification and DNA Analysis of Biological Evidence by Richard Li
Book Information
Designed as an accessible introduction to basic scientific principles and their application in professional practice, Forensic Biology provides a concise overview of the field. Focusing solely on the science behind the forensic analysis of biological evidence, this book highlights the principles, methods, and techniques used in forensic serologic and forensic DNA analysis.
Divided into two areas, the first addresses the identification of biological fluids including blood, semen, and saliva. Chapters instruct on the identification techniques involved in presumptive and confirmatory tests. The second area covers the individualization of biological evidence using forensic DNA techniques. The book demonstrates extraction methods, quantization methods, DNA profiling analysis, and interpretation of results.Each technique introduced in this text is preceded by a brief background of its development and the basic principles that support the technique and its applications. All methods are discussed in detail and accompanied by schematic illustrations where appropriate. Each chapter presents study questions, and references.
This book provides a solid scientific grounding and familiarity with not just the principles of biological and biochemical processes that occur in forensic analysis, but also the language and vocabulary of forensic biology. The explanations are accessible and straightforward, and informative to facilitate effective learning.