Forensic DNA Links

Welcome to the DNA links section of the All About Forensic Science Website. For each forensic DNA information resource featured below, a brief description will be given along with a direct website link.

LearningSpace is a truly remarkable resource from the Open University that provides free and open educational resources for learners and educators around the world.

Among the very impressive educational modules available is one entitled 'What is the Genome Made of?' Here you can learn about the chemical structure of DNA, How DNA is replicated, chromosome structure and DNA replication.

Click Here To Access This Brilliant Free Resource

Outstanding resource put together by the BBC in 2003 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the structure of DNA by Francis Crick and James Watson. Highlights include:

DNA Timeline

Click Here to find out the major historical developments in DNA.

DNA: How It Works

Click Here for a graphical guide to how DNA carries the code for life.

DNA In 3D

Click Here to see the famous double helix from every possible angle.

DNA 50 Homepage

Click Here to visit the main DNA 50 homepage.

More From The BBC

Click Here to watch a fascinating news report relating to the first use of DNA profiling within a criminal investiation.

Excellent website produced in conjunction with the Dolan DNA Learning Center. Highlights include a very useful glossary index (see foot of page) and details of how DNA fingerprinting was used in a real murder investigation (see the human identification section under applications).

Click Here to visit the DNA Interactive homepage.

The Innocence Project is a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people through DNA testing. The official website includes detailed case information, news and resources.

Click Here to visit the innocence project homepage.

The Genetics of Innocence and Guilt: DNA Podcast with Dr. Greg Hampikian

Dr. Hampikian is a professor with joint appointments in the departments of Biological Sciences and Criminal Justice at Boise State University. He is an internationally recognized expert and consultant on DNA forensics.

CSI on television has made forensic DNA a household word. But this exciting field continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Dr. Hampikian’s lab works on cases from Pocatello, Idaho, to Perugia, Italy (Amanda Knox), and is developing new technology to improve forensic DNA.

Hampikian’s specialty in cold case DNA has helped free 10 prisoners, and led to new arrests of true perpetrators decades after the crime. In this podcast, he discusses the different types of DNA and how they are used in criminal investigations. He also explains why DNA is such a powerful “truth-teller” in diverse applications from determining genetic heritage to freeing those wrongly accused of murder. Hampikian is the author of “Exit to Freedom” with Calvin Johnson, Jr., which tells the story of Johnson’s exoneration after 17 years in prison.

Click Here To Listen To The Genetics of Innocence and Guilt Podcast.

(Many thanks to Andrea Feldberg for letting us know about this excellent resource).

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