Forensic Science on Trial: How Worthy is DNA Profiling? Rebecca Rhodes 22 nd June

STARTING THE PROJECT Why Did I Choose Forensic Science as the Area of my Research? Why Did I Choose Forensic Science as the Area of my Research? My future career aspirations in forensic pathology. Current interests in science and history. Passion for criminal investigations in books, TV dramas and films. How Did I Develop my Project Title? How Did I Develop my Project Title? 1. ‘Modern Day Forensics: What have been the Historical Influences?’ 2. ‘To What Extent has DNA Profiling kept the Public Safe?’ 3. ‘Forensic Science on Trial: How Worthy is DNA Profiling?’ 2

PLANNING AND PREPARATION Develop a Timeline Develop a Timeline Identify Aims and Objectives Identify Aims and Objectives Undertake Training Undertake Training Investigate Research Facilities and Software Investigate Research Facilities and Software 3

RESEARCH Types of Resources Primary research resources. Secondary research resources. Experts. Learned societies. Workshop / Exhibition. Analysing: Research Resource Diary. Spider diagram.Recording: Project Management Plan. Electronic filing and hard copies. EndNote.Reviewing: Project Progression Record. Evaluation Summary. 4

THE DISSERTATION Contents Three changes to the Contents’ Plan. Evolved as knowledge increased. Importance of understanding technical background before analysing. Writing Personal Outcomes Initial skeleton draft. Simplifying very technical language. Examples of cases included. Citations in EndNote. > 5,000 words. Introduced to a lot of new and interesting areas. New skills for university studies. New thoughts about my future career. 5

WHAT DID I ACHIEVE? – 1. Aim: To understand and explain what DNA profiling is and its use in criminal investigations. Each person’s DNA is unique (with the exception of identical twins). A unique DNA profile can be produced in the laboratory from a sample, from the crime scene and compared with a DNA profile from a suspect. Only 17 markers on the DNA are used in England and Wales to compare DNA profiles for forensic purposes. If a crime scene DNA profile and the suspect DNA profile match at all 17 markers, the probability of a match coming from someone else who is not closely related to the suspect would be around one in a billion. Since 1995, the UK has held DNA profiles in a National DNA Database. 6

WHAT DID I ACHIEVE? – 2. Aim: To evaluate DNA profiling as a forensic technique. Benefits: Solving crimes. Post-conviction DNA analysis. Issues: Human rights. Reliability of DNA evidence in court. 7

WHAT DID I ACHIEVE? – 3. Aims: To extend my writing skills and to develop my research skills. To enhance my project management skills. Major achievements: Planned project effectively over 10 months. Extended analytical skills. Learnt about different referencing styles, in particular Vancouver Style which is often used by medical undergraduate students. Learnt how to cite using Vancouver Style. Introduced to legal documentation and terminology, and government policy documentation. Introduced to ‘Web of Science’ and other e-resources. Introduced to ‘Open Access’. Learnt how to use EndNote. 8

EVALUATION Strengths The breadth and depth of my research. My long-term planning. Organising, recording and analysing my resources. Weaknesses/ Difficulties What Would I Do Differently Next Time? Progress was initially slow as there was a lot of repetitive information. Managing this project on a day-to-day basis alongside other school work. Drafting the Conclusion after a long break from the EPQ project before and during my AS level exams. Start drafting earlier. Research the majority of the detail as I am writing. 9

CONCLUSION In answer to my question: ‘How Worthy is DNA Profiling? I think it is very important to keep us safe, but it has to be carried out correctly and applied fairly. 10

ANY QUESTIONS? 11