Exploring the critical points of teaching STEM subjects in the time of COVID 19: the experience of the course "Microscopy Techniques for Forensic Biology"

Background: The University was among the first structures to be hit by the health emergency, transferring all its teaching and research activities remotely. It was not easy for teachers and students to find themselves suddenly shifted into different teaching and socializing context. Results: This article describes and analyzes the online teaching experience carried out for the course of Microscopy Techniques for Forensic Biology offered as a part of the Master's degree program in Biology at the University of Calabria (Italy). A cross-sectional survey (pilot study) was designed to investigate the accessibility of distance learning along with an evaluation of adjustments needed for the conversion from offline to online instruction. Particular attention has been paid to learning material and lesson duration, with specific emphasis on practical activities. Conclusions: The author's intent is that of opening a comparison between the strengths and weaknesses that emerged in this experience, highlighting, in particular, how the educational relationship between teacher and student has changed.

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH DECOMPOSING PIG (Sus scrofa) CARCASS

The emerging field of forensic biology has attempted to solve certain problems encountered when estimating post-mortem interval (PMI) by using predictable changes in the microbial and arthropod community structure. Pig (Sus scrofa) carcasses are widely used as animal models in clinical human studies. The objective of this study was to identify bacteria from the skin surface of pig carcass for possible use in forensic investigation. Three pigs (a suitable human substitute) were collected from a local farm and killed by suffocation and further place in a bush land for decomposition. 24hours later skin samples were collected and transported to the laboratory for the isolation of bacteria using standard pour plate techniques and identified using Bergey’s manual of systemic bacteriology. The experiment was conducted in February 2019 during the dry season of the year with an average temperature of 23.50c and relative humidity of 60.8% A total of fourteen (14) isolates were gotten from the pig carcass samples out of which four (4) were Gram-positive bacteria and the remaining ten (10) were Gram-negative. Staphylococcus spp. (28.6%) was the most abundant while Salmonella sp., Serratia sp., Klebsiella sp., Citrobacter sp. and Proteus sp. occurred at 14.3% each. This study focus on the type of bacteria communities during a decomposition process which will help provide baseline information in the application of forensic biology to determination of nature of death, abuse or neglect.

Exploring the critical points of teaching STEM subjects in the time of COVID 19: the experience of the course "Microscopy Techniques for Forensic Biology"

Background: The University was among the first structures to be hit by the health emergency, transferring all its teaching and research activities remotely. It was not easy for teachers and students to find themselves suddenly shifted into different teaching and socializing context. Results: This article describes and analyzes the online teaching experience carried out for the course of Microscopy Techniques for Forensic Biology offered as a part of the Master's degree program in Biology at the University of Calabria (Italy). A cross-sectional survey (pilot study) was designed to investigate the accessibility of distance learning along with an evaluation of adjustments needed for the conversion from offline to online instruction. Particular attention has been paid to learning material and lesson duration, with specific emphasis on practical activities. Conclusions: The author's intent is that of opening a comparison between the strengths and weaknesses that emerged in this experience, highlighting, in particular, how the educational relationship between teacher and student has changed.

MicroRNAs: An Update of Applications in Forensic Science

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs containing 18–24 nucleotides that are involved in the regulation of many biochemical mechanisms in the human body. The level of miRNAs in body fluids and tissues increases because of altered pathophysiological mechanisms, thus they are employed as biomarkers for various diseases and conditions. In recent years, miRNAs obtained a great interest in many fields of forensic medicine given their stability and specificity. Several specific miRNAs have been studied in body fluid identification, in wound vitality in time of death determination, in drowning, in the anti-doping field, and other forensic fields. However, the major problems are (1) lack of universal protocols for diagnostic expression testing and (2) low reproducibility of independent studies. This review is an update on the application of these molecular markers in forensic biology.

A review on the role of emerging revolutionary nanotechnology in forensic investigations

Due to the unique properties of nanoparticles, it has gained prominence in lots of fields with extensive research being carried around it. With lots of novel applications arising from this field, Forensic science seems to be one of the fast-growing fields in nano research applications. The growing and extensive use of nanotechnology being applied in forensic investigations is promising and could soon be the tipping point in the discipline. Applications mainly have been related to evidence identification and analysis in the broad major fields in Forensic Science such as single-crystalline semiconductor CdS nano slabs for explosives detection, functionalized TiO2 nanorods for organophosphorus chemical warfare agents in Forensic Chemistry, the use of Nanopowders for latent print visualization in Forensic physics and Gold nanoparticle protein nanopore for detection of single-stranded DNA in Forensic biology. Nanotechnology has also been employed in illegal drug detection in recent times. These and other applications of Nanotechnology provides prompt and precise results with reduced methods due to the limited instruments used for analyzing evidence as well as providing sensitive and selective ways of detecting evidence. As evidence is notable in forensic investigations, nanotechnology’s use in identifying and detecting these has potential in enhancing and providing efficient and rapid means for investigations and unravelling leads into crimes. This review emphasizes some disciplines in forensic sciences in which nanotechnology is having an impact, novel methods and newly developed instruments and also takes into account its challenges as well as perspectives into the future.

4. Laboratory examination: search, recovery, analysis

‘Laboratory investigation: search, recovery, analysis’ outlines the various stages of recovering, documenting, and analysing evidence. It describes the types of examinations carried out, different laboratory structures, the range of analytic methods available, and the specific scientific and legal procedures required to meet the standards of criminal law. The importance of minimizing contamination, maintaining continuity (chain of custody), and quality assurance are also explained. Locating and identifying blood, semen, saliva, and other biological materials form a routine aspect of forensic biology. It is important when performing and recording laboratory investigation to separate fact (e.g. from test results) from the forensic scientist’s own opinion.