NOTICE OF SITE MAINTENANCE: We are experiencing technical difficulties that have required us to take this course down. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working to have the courses up and running soon. If you would like to be alerted when the issues have been resolved, please send a message to Lee.Mockenturm@usdoj.gov.
Principles of Forensic DNA for Officers of the Court
An interactive, self-paced, resource tool to educate and assist prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges in forensic DNA cases. The course consists of fifteen modules and covers:
- The biology of DNA, including statistics and population genetics.
- DNA laboratories, quality assurance in testing, and understanding a laboratory report.
- Forensic databases.
- Victim issues.
- The presentation of DNA evidence at trial.
- Post-conviction DNA cases.
Accompanying Case Study
Continuing Education Credits
The partner agencies of the DNA Initiative do not provide continuing education credit for the online courses offered.
The case study, in conjunction with this course, provides valuable information about the science of DNA and DNA testing. It draws upon a 1984 rape and murder that — while cold for many years — was reopened and investigated resulting in a criminal trial based largely upon DNA evidence. The case study, while fictional, is based upon factual events.
