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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

David Ballard

Senior Lecturer in Forensic Genomics

Denise Syndercombe Court

Professor of Forensic Genetics

Projects

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Age estimation from trace sources

This study is using epigenetic tools to provide an accurate estimation of chronological age from forensic trace material.

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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.

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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.

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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

Image missing an alt value
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.

Image missing an alt value
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.

Image missing an alt value
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

    BFEG
    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

    fetus dna
    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
    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.

    microphone
    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

      David Ballard

      Senior Lecturer in Forensic Genomics

      Denise Syndercombe Court

      Professor of Forensic Genetics

      Projects

      Image missing an alt value
      Age estimation from trace sources

      This study is using epigenetic tools to provide an accurate estimation of chronological age from forensic trace material.

      Image missing an alt value
      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.

      Image missing an alt value
      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.

      Image missing an alt value
      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

      Image missing an alt value
      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.

      Image missing an alt value
      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.

      Image missing an alt value
      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

        BFEG
        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

        fetus dna
        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
        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.

        microphone
        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

          Royal Veterinary College

          United Nations High Commission for Refugees

          United Nations High Commission for Refugees

          Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust

          Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust

          University of Freiburg

          University of Freiburg

          University of Santiago de Compostela

          University of Santiago de Compostela

          metasub 1

          MetaSUB

          Inside Justice

          Inside Justice

          Verogen

          Verogen

          Eurofins Forensic Services

          Eurofins Forensic Services

          European Network of Forensic Science Institutes

          European Network of Forensic Science Institutes

          European DNA Profiling Group

          European DNA Profiling Group

          International Standards Organisation

          International Standards Organisation

          British Standards Institute

          British Standards Institute

          Government UK

          Government UK