Upcoming conference to celebrate 30 year anniversary of DNA fingerprinting discovery
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the landmark discovery and application of DNA fingerprinting by Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys, the University is hosting a conference to share new innovations in forensic science on Wednesday 15 April.
The conference, entitled ‘New Frontiers in Forensics: Innovation and interdisciplinarity 30 years after Jeffreys’s eureka moment’ will explore how the world of forensic science has changed in the last three decades, including examining new technologies, emerging methods and vital interdisciplinary research being conducted by forensic science experts from across the University's Alec Jeffreys Forensic Science Institute.
New innovations from the Institute that will be discussed include breakthroughs in DNA research, cold case investigation, violent crime and forensic pathology and modern research into fingerprinting. The conference will hear about latest developments in micro-computed x-ray tomography, which can generate high resolution 3D models of samples, with various forensic applications. The day finishes with two talks on new techniques for fingerprint analysis, before closing remarks are given.
A talk on use of DNA in the identification of the remains of King Richard III will also consider how this was combined with osteological, historical and genealogical sources.
In 1984, Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys made the landmark discovery of the first genetic fingerprint. Professor Jeffreys’s work in the University of Leicester’s labs led to the discovery of the technique for genetic fingerprinting, which revealed a pioneering method of biological identification.
The event takes place on Wednesday 15 April at the University of Leicester in the Henry Wellcome Building in the Frank & Katherine May Lecture Theatre. It will run from 9:00am to 4:30pm.
Please visit the website for more information.
Watch a video of Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys discussing his research and discovery below: