26 August 2022

BCHE4080 Biochemistry for Forensic Sciences

2022-23, 1st Term
Course Description
This course aims at introducing various biochemical principles and techniques for forensic analysis to the
students. Students will learn how to observe, collect, analyze and evaluate evidence found at crime
scenes. The first part addresses the identification of biological fluids such as blood, semen, and saliva
from crime scene. The emphasis will be on the biochemical technologies used in the presumptive and
confirmatory tests. The second part covers DNA analysis using RFLP and PCR-STR typing methods,
interpretation of DNA typing results, and court presentation of such biological evidence. Mitochondrial
DNA typing and Y chromosome DNA typing will also be discussed. It is anticipated that students will
apply the biochemistry knowledge they have acquired in junior years in the course.

Learning Outcomes
After finishing the course, students will be able to:
1) Develop an understanding of the concept and theory of forensic analysis.
2) Understand the analytical techniques involved.
3) Discuss the application of forensic science to crime detection.

Assessment Scheme
Mid-term exam : 40% (Lecture 1-5)
Final exam : 60% (Lecture 6-12)

Grade Descriptors
Grade Overall course
A Demonstrates a deep understanding of various biochemical principles and techniques for
forensic analysis, and how to observe, collect, analyze and evaluate evidence found at crime
scenes. Demonstrate the ability to apply different presumptive and confirmatory forensic tests
for various samples and novel situations that would substantially surpass the normal
expectation at this level and typical of standards that may be common at higher levels of study.
Shows evidence of critical evaluation of different approaches to solving forensic problems.
Demonstrates the ability to articulate the synthesis of new ideas or applications in a clear and
cogent manner.

A- Demonstrates high level of understanding of various biochemical principles and techniques for
forensic analysis, and how to observe, collect, analyze and evaluate evidence found at crime
scenes. Demonstrate the ability apply different presumptive and confirmatory tests for some
novel samples and situations. Shows evidence of logical analysis of simple forensic problems.
Demonstrates the ability to articulate the synthesis of new ideas or applications in a clear and
cogent manner.

B Demonstrate a competent grasp of the key concepts in various biochemical principles and
techniques for forensic analysis, and how to observe, collect, analyze and evaluate evidence
found at crime scenes.
Demonstrates the ability to state and partially apply the subject matter learnt in the course to
most (but not all) familiar and standard situations in a manner that is usually logically
persuasive.
Demonstrate the ability to articulate scientific concepts or applications in a logical and
coherent way.
C Demonstrate a basic understanding of various biochemical principles and techniques for
forensic analysis, and how to observe, collect, analyze and evaluate evidence found at crime
scenes.
Demonstrates the ability to state and apply the subject matter learnt in the course to most (but
not all) familiar and standard situations in a manner that is not incorrect but is somewhat
fragmented.
Shows the ability to articulate scientific concepts in a concise way.

D Demonstrate the ability to apply certain learnt forensic biochemistry principles to simple
situations in a manner that is broadly correct in its essentials or is somewhat ambiguous
Demonstrates the ability to state and sometimes apply the subject matter learnt in the course to
some simple and familiar situations in a manner that is broadly correct in its essentials.

F Demonstrate an incomplete or incorrect biochemical principles and techniques for forensic

analysis, and how to observe, collect, analyze and evaluate evidence found at crime scenes.
Unsatisfactory performance on a number of learning outcomes, OR failure to meet specified
assessment requirements.

Recommended Readings
(1) Forensic Science: From the Crime Scene to the Crime Lab. Richard Saferstein. Pearson 2013 [HV
8073 S214]
(2) Forensic Science: An Introduction. Richard Saferstein. Prentice Hall 2011 [HV 8073 S214]
(3) Forensic Biology. Richard Li, CRC press, Taylor and Francis Group 2008 [QH 313.5 F67 L5]
(4) Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing: Methodology. John M. Butler. Elsevier Academic Press
2012 [electronic resource]
(5) Fundamentals of Forensic DNA Typing. John M. Butler. Academic Press 2010
(6) Forensic DNA Typing: Biology, Technology, and Genetics of STR Markers. John M. Butler.
Academic Press 2005 [electronic resource]
 BCHE4080 Biochemistry for Forensic Sciences
2022-23, 1st Term

Teachers Office Tel. Email

Prof. KF Lau (Course Coordinator) SC 291 3943 1106 [email protected]
Prof. PC Shaw SC 180 3943 1363 [email protected]
Dr. Otis Lam SC 333A 3943 5978 [email protected]
Mr. Hong Teng Tsui

Course Schedule:
Time : Friday, 6:30 pm - 9:15 pm
Venue : Lecture Theatre 3, Yasumoto International Academic Park (YIA LT3)
For 23 Sep 2022, the venue is changed to Lecture Theatre 7, Lee Shau Kee Building (LSK LT7)

No. Date Topic Teacher

1 Sep 9 Introduction to Forensic Sciences Prof. KF Lau

2 Sep 16 Forensic Serology & Blood Analysis Prof. KF Lau

3 Sep 23 Detection of Saliva, Semen & Other Bodily Fluids Prof. KF Lau

4 Sep 30 Forensic Toxicology & …. Prof. KF Lau

5 Oct 7 Current Approaches to Authenticate Chinese Medicinal Material Prof. PC Shaw

6 Oct 14 Mid-term Examination (Venue: TBC)

7 Oct 21 Sample Collection, DNA Extraction & Quantitation Dr. Otis Lam

8 Oct 28 DNA Typing: Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) Dr. Otis Lam

9 Nov 4 DNA Typing: Short Tandem Repeat (STP) Markers - Part 1 Dr. Otis Lam

10 Nov 11 DNA Typing: Short Tandem Repeat (STP) Markers - Part 2 Dr. Otis Lam

11 Nov 18 Y Chromosome Testing & Mitochondrial DNA Analysis Dr. Otis Lam

12 Nov 25 Forensic Issues and Result Interpretation Mr. HT Tsui#

Reporting, Court Testimony, Quality Requirements, DNA Database, & Mr. HT Tsui#
13 Dec 2
New Development
A Facility for Posting Course Announcements:
Course announcements and materials will be posted on the Blackboard course website. The powerpoint
slides used will be posted on the Blackboard course website before the lecture. NO hard copies will be
distributed in the class.

Reminders:
Academic Honesty: According to University regulations, students must submit an electronic version of
their assignment to VeriGuide system for the purpose of checking for possible plagiarism. Read the
University’s policies on plagiarism carefully and do not plagiarise! CUHK has adopted a policy of zero
tolerance for plagiarism. Instructors will send all suspected cases of plagiarism directly to the disciplinary
committee for investigation. In the case of group report, plagiarism will affect all partners! Students
submitting assignment done by third party is also a serious misconduct and regarded as fraud or academic
dishonesty. The updated Procedures are available at the University’s website “Honesty in Academic
Work: A Guide for Students and Teachers” (http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/). Students
please note the aforementioned marking scheme, grade descriptors, academic honesty principle and the
university penalty guideline are all applicable to this course. General university regulations are available
on line: http://www.res.cuhk.edu.hk/en-gb/general-information/university-regulations