UK: Fully-funded PhD Studentship in The Development of Molecular Techniques in Forensic Palynology, University of Worcester
The successful applicant will receive a bursary of £12,300 per annum for a period of 3 years plus an expenses budget. Fees will be paid in full at the UK/EU rate for home and EU citizens. Overseas students are welcome to apply but will need to fund the balance of fees for Overseas Research Students.
Project Summary
There is great potential in the use of pollen and spores as trace evidence in forensic science but the subject lacks a developed research base and validated methodologies.
Although DNA evidence from body fluids and other sources provides very convincing evidence in many cases, there are a significant number of very serious offences where DNA evidence is not present or is not relevant.
The application of palynology to crime solving is being used increasingly in the UK, and in a few other countries including New Zealand, USA and Canada. Pollen and spores on suspects’ shoes, clothing, cars etc can be linked to crime scenes; pollen and spores in nasal passages of corpses can indicate season or month of death, and even the habitat type in which they died.
Similarly the aerospora content of drugs and explosives can indicate place of origin or trafficking routes. One of the main problems at present is that the matching of pollen spectra e.g. between suspect and crime scene, is based on the presence of pollen and spores which are identified by microscopy.
A profile is constructed based on percentages of different types of pollen etc. However many plants have pollen which is dispersed on the wind and so it is widespread. Also many plants have wide distribution ranges. If the pollen profile contains many pollen types such as these and no rare plants, it is of limited use as it lacks specificity.
The proposed research project would investigate and develop the use of DNA profiling technology to identify pollen types and to link specific grains to origins.
This would not only dramatically increase the power of using pollen and spores as trace evidence but it would also facilitate some automation in analysis and it would reduce notably the time required for analysis (visual microscopic identification can take 20 hours plus per sample). The DNA profiling aspects would be supported by basic ecological research on pollen transfer and retention on objects, bodies and materials.
The objectives of the proposed research are:
- To develop techniques of DNA profiling for common types of pollen retrieved from forensic samples so that they can be matched against control samples
- To investigate the efficiency of transfer of pollen of the various taxa to objects and bodies, and retention on them over time, in order to establish relationships between the DNA pollen and spore spectra on samples and that of the available sources
Qualifications
Candidates must have a good honours degree in Biology, Biological Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Sciences or a related discipline. They must be computer literate with a good working knowledge of word and data processing. Previous experience of any of the following is desirable: palynology, plant ecology, genetics, DNA analysis, forensics, statistics, working with confidential information. Excellent interpersonal skills are needed as the project will involve some work with outside agencies. Candidates must be highly motivated, able to organise their time effectively and be willing to work as part of a small team of dedicated NPARU staff.
The closing date for applications is Monday 9th July 2007. Interviews are expected to take place on Monday 23rd July.
Further details relating to the project are available to download by clicking here.
Application forms can also be downloaded by clicking here.
For further information or an informal discussion on this project and on the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit please contact:
Prof. Jean Emberlin
National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit
University of Worcester, Henwick Grove,
Worcester, WR2 6AJ, UK
Tel: 01905 855255
e-mail: j.emberlin@worc.ac.uk
Or visit the website: http://www.pollenuk.co.uk/
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact:
Dr John-Paul Wilson, Manager of the Graduate Research School.
Completed application forms should be sent by e-mail to j.wilson@worc.ac.uk, or by mail to:
Dr John-Paul Wilson
Graduate Research School
University of Worcester, Henwick Grove
Worcester, WR2 6AJ, UK.