Forensic Biotechnology The Basics and Beyond

Preface

About the Editors

Contributors

1 Introduction to Forensic Biotechnology

Kamayani Vajpayee, Rajendra Prasad Pawar, and Ritesh K. Shukla

2 Collection and Preservation of Samples for Forensic DNA Analysis

Anna Barbaro

3 Insights into Body Fluid Identification for Criminal Investigations

Vidushi Saraswat and Ritesh K. Shukla

4 Introduction to DNA Profiling Techniques

Poonam Moon, Ashish Badiye, and Neeti Kapoor

5 Next-Generation Sequencing in Forensic Science: Advancements, Limitations, and Applications

Vidhi Paida, Kamayani Vajpayee, and Ritesh K. Shukla

6 From Data to Interpretation: Statistical Software in Forensic DNA Typing

Ranjeet Kumar Singh and Afreen Tarannum

7 Challenges and Limitations of Forensic DNA Profiling Technique

Shrijoy Banerjee, Tanurup Das, and Ankit Srivastava

8 Ethical and Normative Implications of Forensic DNA Technology

M. C. A. De Ungria and E.B. Jimenez

9 DNA Barcoding and Its Potential Applications in Forensic Investigations

Amandeep Kaur Bhambara and Mukesh Kumar Thakar

10 Microbial Forensics

Neeti Kapoor, Girraj Sharma, Chhote Raja Patle, and Ashish Badiye

11 The Rising Path of Forensic Archaeology: An Indian Perspective

Gyaneshwer Chaubey, Rahul Mishra, Pankaj Shrivastava, and Chandana Basu Mallick

12 Wildlife Forensics: From the Science of Conservation to the Courtroom

Ajit Kumar, Dimple Bhatia, and Rajinder Singh

13 Forensic DNA Phenotyping: Techniques, Successes, and Future Directions

Charles E. “Chuck” MacLean

14 Streamlining Forensic DNA Analysis with RAPID DNA Typing: Current Developments and Future Directions

D. S. Yadav, Roshan Kumar, and Tanya Gupta

15 Exploring the Role of Epigenetic Factors in Forensic Science

Chavi Bhardwaj, Jayapriya Panicker, and Ajay Kumar Rana

16 Mass Spectrometry in Forensic DNA Analysis: A New Frontier

Bharti Jain, Rajeev Jain, and Ritesh K. Shukla

17 Role of Proteomics in Criminal Investigations

Satish Kumar, Neelkant Verma, and Aaliya Sachdev

18 Unraveling Injustice: The Impact of DNA Exonerations

Avantika Johari and Purvi Pokhariyal

Index

Biography

Hirak Ranjan Dash is currently an Assistant Professor of Forensic Biology and Biotechnology at the National Forensic Sciences University, Delhi Campus, New Delhi, India. Before joining academics, he served as a Forensic DNA Expert at Madhya Pradesh Forensic Science Services for over six years. He obtained his doctoral degree from the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela. He’s an expert in the fields of environmental and forensic microbiology, DNA fingerprinting, microbial phylogeny and diversity, genetics, bioremediation, degradation of biological materials, and applied microbiology. Dr. Dash has authored 54 peer-reviewed publications, ten book chapters, 9 books, and 3 popular scientific articles to date.

Kamayani Vajpayee is a doctoral candidate currently studying the factors behind inconclusive DNA reports in the Nanomaterial and Toxicology Laboratory at the Biological and Life Sciences Division, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. She is a biotechnology graduate who completed her Master’s in Forensic Science from the University of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Her doctoral research mainly focuses on understanding PCR inhibition mechanisms in Forensic DNA analysis and how NanoPCR could circumvent this issue. Ms. Vajpayee has authored 12 peer-reviewed publications and 5 book chapters to date.

Ritesh K. Shukla has been an Assistant Professor in the Biological and Life Sciences, the School of Arts and Sciences of Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India since 2014. He received his doctorate degree in Toxicology (Nanomaterial Toxicology) in 2013 from Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi for the work he did at CSIR-IITR, Lucknow. Before joining Ahmedabad University, he served as Assistant Professor at the Institute of Forensic Science, Nagpur, and Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, a Central University, Bilaspur. Dr. Shukla has co-authored more than 42 research journal articles and 9 book chapters; his also the editor of 3 books.