Search

The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences - Intrepid Conference 2018 This presentation will detail a novel approach incorporating a student research group to focus on the interdisciplinary subjects of blood pattern analysis, fingermarks and footwear marks. By investigating three areas of commonality: surface porosity, environmental conditions and IR/UV visualisation techniques this has maximised research outputs.Results include successfully developing fingermarks exposed to varied conditions (pH, temperature, humidity, differing soils, waters). Directional footwear mark movements in blood and aged blood stains will provide essential assistance at crime scenes. Frequent briefings with progress updates have enabled the students to develop a cohesive strategy for the group whilst embedding reflection with future target setting. Ultimately, this co-creation and collaboration has resulted in a pedagogic paradigm shift through student led research and research informed teaching.Therefore, it is evident that this model would be of paramount importance for others in forensic science academia, in addition to potential collaborators within industry.

There is a need for more information on the relationship between diseases and fluctuations of wild populations of marine animals. In the case of Callinectes sapidus reovirus 1 (CsRV1, also known as RLV), there is a lack of baseline information on range, prevalence and outbreaks, from which to develop an understanding of population‐level impacts. An RT‐qPCR assay was developed that is capable of detecting 10 copies of the CsRV1 genome. In collaboration with state, federal and academic partners, blue crabs were collected from sites throughout the north‐eastern United States to assess the northern range of this pathogen. In addition, archived crab samples from the Chesapeake Bay were assessed for CsRV1 by RT‐qPCR and histology. PCR‐based assessments indicate that CsRV1 was present at all but one site. Prevalence of CsRV1 as assessed by RT‐qPCR was highly variable between locations, and CsRV1 prevalence varied between years at a given location. Mean CsRV1 prevalence as assessed by RT‐qPCR was >15% each year, and peak prevalence was 79%. The wide geographic range and highly variable prevalence of CsRV1 indicate that more study is needed to understand CsRV1 dynamics and the role the virus plays in blue crab natural mortality.