WHAT:Forensic G…

WHAT:Forensic Genetics – The Reality of Genomic Science at  a Crime Scene
WHEN: Tuesday,            Dec. 6, 2011, 5:30 – 8:00              p.m.                  Café Scientifique events are held on the first Tuesday of each month.
WHERE: The                            Front Page restaurant,                                                        near Ballston Metro.                             Located at 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203  on the                            ground                            floor of the National Science Foundation (NSF) building. Parking is available                            under                            the                            NSF                            building                            or at                            Ballston Common Mall. 
WHO: Presented by Kevin McElfresh, Ph.D.
HOW: Please come                                          early to order table service and socialize.             Special             half-price              burgers start at 5:30 p.m. Presentation begins at 6:15              p.m. followed by Q&A. No science background required – only an interest! Café Scientifique                is free and open to the public. Registration requested. Register                  online now. ABOUT THE TOPIC: The application of DNA technology to forensic testing in the late 1980′s transformed the justice system. Arguably it was also one of the first applications of biotechnology to a practical problem in the humanities that had a successful outcome. Forensic DNA was then a clear leader of advanced technology and the science advanced continually into the late 1990s.  Interestingly, todays genomic technologies have not yet been applied to the question of who? In fact, there are technologies today that not only answer who, but also answer who and who else? While forensic DNA’s use of 1990′s technology is accurate and reliable, there are questions that cannot be answered unless newer technology is applied. The presentation will look at the realities of the forensic crime lab, the role of DNA, some interesting cases and the role the public can play in advancing the science.

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