Forensic Genetics is concerned with providing data and intelligence to law enforcement in forensic investigations and to civil authorities for geographic ancestry, genetic genealogy and allegations of doping in sport. Essential to any forensic inference is an understanding of the frequency of observations and we are the main provider of repeat and sequence-based marker frequencies relating to the different geographical heritage populations in the UK, being an international leader in massively parallel sequencing.
We are experts in the analysis of complex mixtures and complex kinships and determination of chronological age. The group also provides data and expertise in relation to lineage markers on the Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA, both being important tools in the analysis of hairs and bones in criminal and disaster investigations and in sexual assault.
We have an interest in analysis of non-human DNA, whether through investigation of breed in our canine research team, or through the complexity of the microbiome in the urban environment. Ethical concerns associated with the use of genetic information is an area of important concern in the group.
People
Senior Lecturer in Forensic Genomics
Professor of Forensic Genetics
Projects
Age estimation from trace sources
This study is using epigenetic tools to provide an accurate estimation of chronological age from forensic trace material.
Canine individual and breed identification
Exploring the usefulness of biological material of canine origin left directly by the dog or transferred by humans, and recovered from a crime scene.
Environmental metagenomics in urban environments and development of forensic inference
This study seeks to describe city area species specificities, including antibiotic resistance patterns, & to capture ‘molecular echoes’ of environmental events.
Forensic genetics futures and ethical considerations
The group collaborates with others to develop clear communications & robust ethical standards in association with new forensic genetics investigative approaches
Forensic Genomics: Genomic discovery of forensically relevant variation as revealed through massively parallel sequencing
Forensic genomics utilises massively parallel sequencing technologies to explore detailed information from forensic samples.
Implementation of massively parallel sequencing technology in kinship
The project focusses on kinship testing, which is the process by which we can use inherited DNA shared between individuals to work out how/if they are related.
Massively parallel sequencing technology in international criminal casework
This work builds upon the sequence characterisation and frequency determination of alleles at forensic STR and SNP markers.
Publications
Activities
Professor Syndercombe Court contributes to Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group: annual report 2020 to 2021
Professor Denise Syndercombe Court is a named contributor to the government's Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group: annual report 2020 to 2021. The report summarises the work of the BFEG between May 2020 and April 2021 including: publication of the report on the feasibility of using genetic genealogy for the investigation of crime, publication of the updated BFEG governing principles, publication of a briefing note on the ethical issues arising from public-private collaboration in the use of live facial recognition technology, establishment of a new advisory group to provide advice on data ethics, advice on policies relating to familial DNA and the Vulnerable Persons’ DNA Database, advice to the Home Office Biometrics Programm, advice on a leaflet on custody image deletion for arrestees
Genetic investigation of false paternity
An article, written by a New Scientist journalist almost ten years ago and stimulated by a discussion with Professor Denise Syndercombe Court, led to investigative work done by Denise and Dr David Ballard. Of significant concern was the high risk of women undergoing an abortion based on erroneous scientific results. The publication led to the journalist being accused of defamation, which was only recently resolved in his favour in a recent court case – yet the activity was allowed to continue in the intervening years. This is just one of several genetic investigations that the group has taken over the years, to debunk theories of the American Ripper, HH Holmes, and an investigation of accusations of murder of Henrik Madsen in Denmark for which two men were found guilty, but the police had found no proof of his death.
Fake or fortune?
On behalf of the BBC we were asked to conduct a scientific investigation, for the Fake of Fortune programme, to determine if a hair found embedded in the painting could be linked to a maternal relative of Lucien Freud as part of its authentication. The group has been asked to provide authentication of other historical artefacts that require specialist sensitive techniques, and also to conduct investigations with media on programmes such as Long Lost Family. Opinions on DNA evidence are sought and given on a regular basis to news media.
Understanding the future of forensic genetics
Academics and research students regularly give presentations and webinar training to professionals on international platforms to educate scientists in the current ground-breaking research being undertaken at King’s.
BBC Inside Science: Crime, volcanoes, ghosts and how we are influenced by the genes of unrelated others
The genes of unrelated others can influence our health and behaviour. New research suggests the genetic make up of our partners can have a profound influence on our lives. Scientists have quantified genetic influence , in mice at present but the plan is to try to extend this to human interactions. If accepted this has potentially far reaching consequences for studying heritability and also perhaps modern medicine as the findings suggest an illness can in part be influenced by those we live with.
People
Senior Lecturer in Forensic Genomics
Professor of Forensic Genetics
Projects
Age estimation from trace sources
This study is using epigenetic tools to provide an accurate estimation of chronological age from forensic trace material.
Canine individual and breed identification
Exploring the usefulness of biological material of canine origin left directly by the dog or transferred by humans, and recovered from a crime scene.
Environmental metagenomics in urban environments and development of forensic inference
This study seeks to describe city area species specificities, including antibiotic resistance patterns, & to capture ‘molecular echoes’ of environmental events.
Forensic genetics futures and ethical considerations
The group collaborates with others to develop clear communications & robust ethical standards in association with new forensic genetics investigative approaches
Forensic Genomics: Genomic discovery of forensically relevant variation as revealed through massively parallel sequencing
Forensic genomics utilises massively parallel sequencing technologies to explore detailed information from forensic samples.
Implementation of massively parallel sequencing technology in kinship
The project focusses on kinship testing, which is the process by which we can use inherited DNA shared between individuals to work out how/if they are related.
Massively parallel sequencing technology in international criminal casework
This work builds upon the sequence characterisation and frequency determination of alleles at forensic STR and SNP markers.
Publications
Activities
Professor Syndercombe Court contributes to Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group: annual report 2020 to 2021
Professor Denise Syndercombe Court is a named contributor to the government's Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group: annual report 2020 to 2021. The report summarises the work of the BFEG between May 2020 and April 2021 including: publication of the report on the feasibility of using genetic genealogy for the investigation of crime, publication of the updated BFEG governing principles, publication of a briefing note on the ethical issues arising from public-private collaboration in the use of live facial recognition technology, establishment of a new advisory group to provide advice on data ethics, advice on policies relating to familial DNA and the Vulnerable Persons’ DNA Database, advice to the Home Office Biometrics Programm, advice on a leaflet on custody image deletion for arrestees
Genetic investigation of false paternity
An article, written by a New Scientist journalist almost ten years ago and stimulated by a discussion with Professor Denise Syndercombe Court, led to investigative work done by Denise and Dr David Ballard. Of significant concern was the high risk of women undergoing an abortion based on erroneous scientific results. The publication led to the journalist being accused of defamation, which was only recently resolved in his favour in a recent court case – yet the activity was allowed to continue in the intervening years. This is just one of several genetic investigations that the group has taken over the years, to debunk theories of the American Ripper, HH Holmes, and an investigation of accusations of murder of Henrik Madsen in Denmark for which two men were found guilty, but the police had found no proof of his death.
Fake or fortune?
On behalf of the BBC we were asked to conduct a scientific investigation, for the Fake of Fortune programme, to determine if a hair found embedded in the painting could be linked to a maternal relative of Lucien Freud as part of its authentication. The group has been asked to provide authentication of other historical artefacts that require specialist sensitive techniques, and also to conduct investigations with media on programmes such as Long Lost Family. Opinions on DNA evidence are sought and given on a regular basis to news media.
Understanding the future of forensic genetics
Academics and research students regularly give presentations and webinar training to professionals on international platforms to educate scientists in the current ground-breaking research being undertaken at King’s.
BBC Inside Science: Crime, volcanoes, ghosts and how we are influenced by the genes of unrelated others
The genes of unrelated others can influence our health and behaviour. New research suggests the genetic make up of our partners can have a profound influence on our lives. Scientists have quantified genetic influence , in mice at present but the plan is to try to extend this to human interactions. If accepted this has potentially far reaching consequences for studying heritability and also perhaps modern medicine as the findings suggest an illness can in part be influenced by those we live with.
PhD students
Our Partners
Royal Veterinary College
United Nations High Commission for Refugees
Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust
University of Freiburg
University of Santiago de Compostela
MetaSUB
Inside Justice
Verogen
Eurofins Forensic Services
European Network of Forensic Science Institutes
European DNA Profiling Group
International Standards Organisation
British Standards Institute
Government UK
Group leads
Professor of Forensic Genetics
Senior Lecturer in Forensic Genomics