Forensic Biochemistry Honours 2010 The module will explore the role of the biochemist and some of the techniques available to forensic analysis. The emphasis will be on sample collection, storage, preparation for analysis, sample analysis, and interpretation and representation of results. The main techniques that will be discussed are HPLC, GC and mass spectrometry for the identification of small biological molecules, and the techniques used for DNA analysis in forensics. The main objectives are to: 1. Acquire an insight into the role of the forensic scientist, and some of the scientific challenges which involve biochemistry. 2. Gain a thorough theoretical understanding of HPLC and its application. 3. Gain an understanding of the principles of GC and its application. 4. Gain a theoretical understanding of DNA analysis in a forensic laboratory. 5. Design a method(s) for the extraction, identification and separation of compounds of interest. 6. Understand the procedures required validate a method. 7. Understand the principles of mass spectrometry. Lectures and discussions Week 1: 08 February 2010 09h00 to 10h30 Introduction to forensic science Aspects of forensic sciences and the role of the biochemist Case studies 09 February 2010 14h15 to 15h30 Chromatography Sample treatment and preparation Application of HPLC 10 February 2010 08h00 to 09h00 Discussion of case study papers; student presentations (~ 10 min, Mark allocation10%) 12 February 2010 09h00-13h00 HPLC: quantification practical session (Lab notes, mark allocation10%) 1
Week 2: 15 February 2010 Chromatography Principles Gas Chromatography Application of Gas Chromatography 16 February 2010 08h30 to 10h30 Mass spectrometry Principles Data interpretation 18 February 2010 09h30 to 10h45 Chromatography papers; student presentations (~ 15 min, Mark allocation 15%) 19 February 2010 08h00 to 09h00 Molecular Forensics Current and future trends Basic tools and techniques 09h00 Centrifugation safety talk Week 3: 22 February 2010 Minisatellite and Microsatellite DNA typing analysis Application of SNPs in Forensic casework 23 February 2010 X and Y chromosome in Forensic Science 2
24 February 2010 Molecular forensic journal article; student presentations (~ 15 min, Mark allocation 15%) 25 February 2010 08h30 Receive comprehension article via e-mail 26 February 2010 08h30-10h00 Comprehension test (mark allocation 50%) Week 4: 02 March 2010 Project proposal oral presentations 05 March 2010 08h30-10h00 Final Test Papers to be considered: 1. De Cock K.J.S., Delbeke F.T., Van Eenoo P., Desmet N., Roels K. and De Backer P. (2001) Detection and determination of anabolic steroids in nutritional supplements, Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 25, 843-852. 2. Alabdalla MA (2005), HPLC-DAD for analysis of different classes of drugs in plasma, Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine, 12, 310-315. 3. Moreno P and Salvadó V (2000), Determination of eight water- and fat-soluble vitamins in multi-vitamin pharmaceutical formulations by high-performance liquid chromatography, Journal of Chromatography A, 870, 207-215. 4. Ghosheh OA, Houdi AA, Crooks PA (1999), High performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the pharmacologically active quinones and related compounds in the oil of the black seed (Nigella sativa L.), Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 19, 757 762. 5. Steinmeyer S, Bregel D, Warth S, Kraemer T and Moeller MR (2002), Improved and validated method for the determination of D-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11- hydroxy-thc and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC in serum, and in human liver microsomal preparations using gas chromatography mass spectrometry, Journal of Chromatography B, 772, 239-248. 3
6. Tamaki K and Jeffreys AJ (2005) Human tandem repeat sequences in forensic DNA typing, Legal Medicine, 7 (4), 244 250. Case studies 1. Kintz P, Evans J, Villian M, Salquebre and Cirimele V (2007), Hair analysis for diphenhydramine after surreptitious administration to a child, Forensic Science International, 173, 171-174. 2. Venhuis BJ, Blok-tip L and de Kaste D (2008), Designer drugs in herbal aphrodisiacs, Forensic Science International, 177, e25-e27. 3. Tarbah FA, Shaheen AM, Benomran FA, Hassan AI and Daldrup Th (2007), Distribution of dimethoate in the body of a fatal organophosphate intoxication, Forensic Science International, 170, 129-132. 4. Musshoff F, Preuss J, Lignitz E and Madea B (2008), A gas chromatographic analysis of phosphine in biological material in a case of suicide, Forensic Science International, 177, e35-e38. 5. Saudan C, Baume N, Emery C, Strahm E and Saugy M (2008), Short term impact of Tribulus terrestis intake on doping control analysis of endogenous steroids, Forensic Science International, 178, e7-e10. 6. Delyle SG, Duverneuil-Mayer C, Abe E, Mathieu B, De La Grandmaison GL Charlier P and Alvarez JC (2008), Fatal intoxication with labetalol (Trandate ), Forensic Science International, 178, e19-21. 7. Klys M, Woźniak K, Rojek S, Rzepecka-Woźniak E and Kowalski P (2008), Ethanol-related death of a child: An unusual case report, Forensic Science International, 179, e1-e4. References 1. de Hoffman E. and Stroobant V., Mass spectrometry, Principles and applications, 2 nd Ed., John Wiley and Sons, Chichester, 1999. 2. Gunn A. Essential Forensic Biology, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd, Chichester, 2006 3. James S.H. and Nordby J.J., Eds., Forensic Science, An introduction to scientific and investigative techniques, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2003. 4. Kromidas S., Practical problem solving in HPLC, 1 st Ed., Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2000. 5. Kromidas S., More practical problem solving in HPLC, 1 st Ed., Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2005. 6. McMaster M. and McMaster C., GC/MS, A practical user s guide, Wiley-VCH, New York, 1998. 7. Lim C.K., Ed., HPLC of small molecules, A practical approach, IRL Press, Oxford, 1986. 8. McNair H.M. and Miller J.M., Basic Gas Chromatography, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1997. 9. Rapley R. and Whitehouse D. (Eds), Molecular Forensics, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd, Chichester, 2007. 4
10. Sadek P.C., The HPLC solvent guide, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd, New York, 1996. 11. White P., Crime scene to court: The essentials of Forensic Science, The Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, 1998 5