Forensic Scientists
The application of forensic DNA evidence is increasingly vital to ensuring accuracy and fairness in the criminal justice system. Access to the latest training, information, and resources for the forensic scientists who work in our Nation's crime laboratories is critical to ensuring the most effective use of this technology.
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Analyst Training Program
These courses can be taken on their own or as part of the DNA Analyst Training Program, which offers testing and a laboratory training manual. Learn more about the Analyst Training Program.
- Online Courses
- Crime Scene and DNA Basics
- Provides information in two lessons: Evidence at the Crime Scene, and History and Types of Forensic DNA Testing. Take the course.
- Laboratory Orientation and Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues
- Addresses basic procedures, safety requirements and quality assurance programs and gives an overview of historical and contemporary techniques used to characterize body tissues. Take the course.
- Laboratory Safety Programs
- Addresses laboratory safety requirements and the components of a safety program. Take the course.
- DNA Extraction and Quantitation
- Addresses DNA analysis considerations, organic extraction, Chelex®100 extraction, other extraction techniques and quantitation. Take the course.
- DNA Amplification
- Provides an overview of amplification and addresses locus selection, multiplexing and contamination. Take the course.
- Amplified DNA Product Separation
- Provides an overview of amplification and electrophoresis and addresses capillary electrophoresis and sample preparation and handling. Take the course.
- STR Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Addresses STR (short tandem repeat) data analysis and interpretation software, data troubleshooting, and data interpretation and allele calls. Take the course.
- Population Genetics and Statistics
- Provides information on population genetics and statistics and probability. Take the course.
- Communication Skills, Report Writing and Courtroom Testimony
- Addresses general communications skills, report writing and courtroom testimony for forensic analysts. Take the course.
- Non-STR DNA Markers: SNPs, Y-STRs, LCN and mtDNA
- Discusses a variety of non-STR markers and methods that may be used to obtain more probative investigative information. Take the course.
- Advanced and Emerging DNA Techniques and Technologies
- Discusses miniaturization techniques, robotics, and expert systems. Take the course.
- Hair Evaluation for DNA Analysis
- Designed to assist DNA analysts in learning the preliminaries of forensic hair examination. The course is not a full hair analysis course. It is not available on DNA.gov but is a non-credit course offered by the West Virginia University. The course is open to anyone but is free only to public laboratory employees with supervisor approval. Learn more about registering and taking this course.
Services for Laboratories
- DNA Sample Analysis
- DNA Laboratory Audits and Accreditation
- DNA Sample Collection Kits
- Quality Documents
- NIJ Expert Systems Testbed Project
- Sequencing Unusual STR Alleles
- Validation Information for Labs
- Compilation and Management of U.S. Y-STR Reference Database
- Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories (FBI)
Articles and Publications
- NIJ's DNA R&D Program
- NIST Human Identity Project
- National Criminal Justice Reference Service:
- Science.gov (try a search on "forensic dna)
- Forensic Science Communications
Federal Bureau of Investigation - National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology & Law
- References in Pub Med
