USE OF DNA IN HUMAN IDENTIFICATION
ONLINE COURSE

Schedule of Courses:

For more information go to Courses at: www.taife.com

The completion of this Course, along with a "Certificate of Completion", will provide a competitive advantage to health care professionals who provide DNA testing services. They will be able to professionally explain more complex testing such as DNA sibling, family reconstructions, zygosity testing, etc. to their clients. They will build credibility by competently answering many of their clients' questions during initial phone consultations, along with being able to provide accurate interpretation of results. They will save time and eliminate stress by abolishing DNA specimen re-collections as a result of their knowledge in DNA testing processes and chain of custody procedures.

Genetica DNA Laboratories, Inc., in partnership with American Forensic Nurses, Inc., is pleased to offer the online course, Use of DNA in Human Identification. This is an introductory course to the human DNA identity testing. It is specifically designed to provide medical-legal professionals with the understanding of the DNA typing technology and its applications to DNA identity and family relationship testing. This course provides an opportunity for medical-legal professionals, i.e., health care professionals, family law attorneys, law enforcement professionals, private investigators and others, to acquire essential information about DNA testing and specimen collection services, to understand the processes, procedures, data interpretation, and the current accuracy and limitations of DNA identity and family relationship testing.

This online course, Use of DNA in Human Identification, has been developed and taught by internationally recognized experts, Elizabeth S. Panke, M.D., Ph.D., Nina King, M.D., Ph.D., and Eric Schurdak, M.S., each of whom have many years of experience in the field of DNA testing.  The course will allow participants to personally interact with these highly qualified instructors, who will host discussion forums, and, be available to clarify and answer various individual questions regarding DNA testing. Within the five week time frame they will assign readings, coursework tasks, and online quizzes, all of which are submitted to the instructors via email. The course provides an interactive forum, which contributes to the participants understanding and communication related to the covered topics.

The participants are introduced to actual DNA test results. They are taken through case scenarios with emphasis on the interpretation and the significance of results. DNA sibling testing and DNA family reconstructions are also discussed. The advantages and limitations of various testing methods are explained in detail. Throughout the course, precise terminology and comprehensive chain of custody and documentation processes are emphasized, along with preparation for depositions and courtroom testimony. A final exam is provided online and the course is letter-graded. A Certificate of Completion is earned by gaining a passing score at the end of the class.

Due to the nature of our online courses, course materials and the discussion forums are available 24 hours a day and can be accessed according to the student's individual schedule. The course consists of 5 modules, and each module is scheduled for a one-week period. The course materials for each module will be available, respectively, for the entire week

Course Pre-requisites: Minimum pre-requisite is a high school diploma with general courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, probability and statistical inference. Preferred pre-requisites include successfully completed college courses in biology, general chemistry, human genetics, statistics, and molecular biology.


Upon completion of this course participants will:

1. Be introduced to the DNA-based "identity testing" as it is used to determine the identity of a person or the remains of a person, and as it is used to determine the degree of genetic relatedness between two or more persons,
   
   
2. Understand the DNA testing techniques, data interpretation, analysis, and reporting in relation to DNA-based identity testing,
   
   
3. Gain insight into the current accuracy and limitations of DNA-based identity testing

Text:

The main text for the Course is: Lawrence Kobilinsky, et al., (2005) DNA: Forensic and Legal Applications, A John Wiley & Sons, Inc Publication.

(Text not included in course cost, may be found at amrn.com home page under Certificates / CEU's ...Course Required Readings; Used:$65 / New:$85)

Number of Hours: 40

Please Note: To provide the best educational experience for all participants, classes will be limited to about 35 registrants. This will be on a "first come first serve basis".


Instructors:


Elizabeth S. Panke, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Genetica DNA Laboratories, Inc.
Cincinnati, Ohio

Elizabeth Panke, M.D., Ph.D. is an internationally recognized expert and leader in the field of DNA identity, parentage and biological family relationship testing. Dr. Panke has been actively involved in the development of accreditation standards used by DNA testing laboratories in the United States and Canada. Dr. Panke has served as a member of the Molecular Pathology Resource Committee of the College of the American Pathologists and directed one of the first laboratories in the United States to be accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks for DNA parentage testing. She also served for over ten years on a Committee on Human Research at the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine and at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati.

Dr. Panke developed the laboratory now known as Genetica DNA Laboratories, Inc. in 1988. Under her direction, Genetica DNA Laboratories, Inc. headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, annually performs thousands of DNA parentage tests for patients throughout the United States as well as around the world.

Dr. Panke provides DNA parentage testing consultations, gives seminars and lectures on DNA testing, and has also authored many scientific publications. She has successfully served as a DNA expert witness in courts in many states.

Dr. Panke received her Ph.D. degree in Experimental Pathology from the University of Southern California and her M.D. degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She has completed both an anatomic and clinical Pathology residency and a fellowship in Molecular Biology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.


Nina King, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Laboratory Director, Genetica DNA Laboratories, Inc.
Cincinnati, Ohio

Dr. Nina King is a highly respected expert in DNA identity and biological relationship testing. She serves as a national consultant in this field to the scientific, legal, and medical communities.

Dr. Nina King has advanced technical expertise and extensive laboratory research experience in both molecular biology and biochemistry. Her passion lies in the development and implementation of new technologies and methodologies that are highly efficient, and designed to produce the most accurate DNA biological relationship testing. She has authored a number of biotechnical patents and scientific publications.

Dr. Nina King joined Genetica DNA Laboratories, Inc. in 1999 as an Assistant Laboratory Director. She received her medical degree with specialization in Clinical Biochemistry from Tomsk Medical Institute, one of the oldest medical schools in Russia. Dr. Nina King received her Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. King also holds a Certificate for DNA Parentage and Identity Testing from the State of New York.


Eric Schurdak, M.S.
Technical Leader, Genetica DNA Laboratories, Inc.
Cincinnati, Ohio

Eric Schurdak is a highly regarded molecular biologist and expert in DNA parentage and biological relationship testing. He has particular expertise in the area of genetic family reconstruction and, therefore, he serves as an invaluable consultant to the legal and medical professionals throughout the United States.

Eric Schurdak joined Genetica DNA laboratories, Inc, in 1995 where he is a Chief Technologist and Research Associate. He has directed the development and implementation of new DNA technologies and methodologies. Eric Schurdak also has directed scientific training in our laboratory of the statistical and genetic analyses employed in extended DNA family tests. He is a superb teacher, and a highly demanded lecturer at schools and local colleges.

Eric Schurdak received his Master Degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Cincinnati. While at the University of Cincinnati, he worked on a groundbreaking project designed to determine the level of genetic relatedness of primitive populations using novel DNA analyses techniques.