  |
 ResearchTraditionally, research and development behind human DNA identification is the gold standard in forensic science; however, applications of DNA-based forensics to non-human organisms is increasing rapidly. In wildlife forensics, DNA profiles
of biological material from illegal kill sites are compared to those of samples
collected from suspected poachers and a probability of whether they originated
from the same sample is determined. In forensic botany, DNA analysis is being
developed to identify Marijuana strains and to determine the probability that
grow ops are linked to international cartels. DNA analysis was also used in
microbial forensics to identify the strain of Bacillus anthracis used in
bioterrorist attacks through the US mail system. These are limited examples of
non-human forensic science, an area of research that is the focus of many
faculty members associated with the Forensic Science Program. Dr. Paul Wilson, holds a Canada Research Chair in DNA Profiling, Forensics, and Functional Genomics. His interest is the development of DNA markers and databases for emerging applications in non-human forensic science, wildlife management and conservation genetics. Specific legal applications of Dr Wilson's research include environmental impact assessment under the Species-At-Risk Act (SARA) and DNA marker development for species listed under the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES).
Dr. Joanna Freeland's responsibilities are divided between the Department of
Biology and the Forensic Science program. She is the author of the text Molecular Ecology (2005) and is now using a combination of genetic and
environmental data to investigate processes that underlie plant lineage
invasions in North America. This has implication for border crossing. She also
has an interest in the conservation genetics of wild populations of plant Dr. Christopher Kyle is an assistant professor and research Chair in Wildlife Genetics and Forensics sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; his research interests include the relative influences of environmental factors on animal movement and dispersal including wildlife disease applications, as well as wildlife forensics and forensic entomology.
Ontario Provincial Police Staff Sergeant Mike Illes carries out forensic identification and crime-scene analysis research and is currently the chair of the Research Subcommittee for the FBI Scientific Working Group on Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (SWGSTAIN). The
diverse focus afforded by these individuals provides breadth to the Forensic
Science Program and to the education students receive in this program. |
Dr. Barry Saville joined the Faculty in October of 2006 with a research interest
in fungal genomics and genome-wide gene expression analysis. He has experience
in nucleic acids analysis that includes the discovery and characterization of
catalytic RNAs, population genetics and fungal genomics. A focus of Dr
Saville's work will be the development of molecular tools for forensic
identification of microbes that may be used in bioterrorist attacks with an
emphasis on plant pathogens.
species that are legally protected in Ontario.
The research carried out by the Trent professors is primarily based on direct
DNA analysis; however, the research of other people associated with the Forensic Science Program is not.