Free Online DNA Training

NFSTC offers a variety of DNA training programs online, made possible by grants from the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice.

Collecting DNA Evidence at Property Crime Scenes

The field of crime scene processing is extremely demanding and ever changing. Demands from the scientific and legal communities influence the crime scene investigator’s everyday activities. The scientific community focuses on the examination of evidence collected at a crime scene. Investigators and crime scene specialists are responsible for identifying, securing, documenting and preserving biological evidence recovered from a crime scene. The Collecting DNA Evidence at Property Crime Scenes interactive training program is delivered in four modules:

  1. Types of Evidence.
  2. Crime Scenes.
  3. Evidence Collection.
  4. Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

Take the FREE Training:  Collecting DNA Evidence at Property Crimes

Principles of Forensic DNA for Officers of the Court

Congress and state and local governments have invested heavily to empower our criminal justice system with DNA as a crime fighting tool. Therefore, it is critical that our legal community is properly educated on issues that arise as a result of implementing and employing this powerful technology.

NFSTC, at the request of NIJ, developed an educational and resource tool for officers of the court–attorneys and the judiciary.

Take the FREE Training: 
Access the Spanish language course.
Access the English language course.

This program is also available on CD-ROM through the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS).   To order, go to http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/AlphaList.aspx and search for publication # NCJ 212399.

DNA Analyst Training

Information addressed in this interactive training program is delivered in nine modules:

  • Evidence & DNA
  • Forensic Biology
  • DNA Extraction & Quantitation
  • DNA Amplification
  • Amplified DNA Product Separation
  • STR Data Analysis & Interpretation
  • Population Genetics & Statistics
  • Communicating Results
  • Other DNA Markers & Technologies

Take the FREE Training: DNA Analyst Training 

Population Genetics and Statistics Training

Upon successful completion of this course new DNA analysts will be able to:

  1. Describe the basic population genetic principles that influence allele frequencies
  2. Describe the statistical principles that govern interpretation of genetic population data
  3. Apply these genetic and statistical principles to interpretation of DNA test results

Take the FREE training: Population Genetics and Statistics Training

Multimedia DNA Slide Presentations

A series of informative slide presentations on specific DNA topics are available free of charge through NFSTC. Topics include:

NIJ Expert Systems Testbed (NEST) Project

This series of video presentations provides evaluations of commercially available expert systems proposed as a mechanism for rapid, accurate technical review of convicted offender single-source DNA samples. An “expert system” is defined as one that performs numerous analytical functions without the need for human interaction.

NEST evaluated the following expert systems:

  • GeneMapper ID Software v.3.2
  • FSS-i3 Expert Systems Software
  • TrueAllele System 2

View the NEST video presentations online.

Postconviction DNA Case Management Symposium 2009

NIJ hosted a two-day Postconviction DNA Case Management Symposium on January 22-23, 2009 at the Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, Florida. The symposium served to bring together criminal justice practitioners from across the nation who would augment the development and implementation of postconviction DNA testing assistance programs within their State and local jurisdictions.

To view video of each panel and accompanying presentations, click here.