This course is taught to introduce you to a broad introduction to DNA as evidence, its forensic examination and interpretation.

At a glance

  • Dates
    • 08 - 12 Dec 2025
  • Duration5 days
  • LocationCranfield campus
  • CostShort course £2,250, accredited short course £2,500. Concessions available

What you will learn

The week-long course enables you to:

  • Discuss the role of DNA as genetic material,
  • Evaluate the role of DNA evidence within the criminal justice system,
  • Appraise a broad range of current DNA technologies used within industry,
  • Interpret modern DNA profiles and assess DNA profile reporting styles,
  • Distinguish and apply model approaches to the evaluation of DNA evidence within Bayesian frameworks.

Core content

The course includes a large portion of practical work and the following topics are included in the course:

  • DNA - structure and function,
  • Awareness of different sources of DNA (crime scene, references and elimination samples),
  • Direct and indirect DNA transfer,
  • Stages of DNA profiling,
  • Modern DNA profiling methods, including DNA 17 and DNA 24,
  • Alternative DNA profiling methods, e.g., Mitochondria DNA analysis and Y-STRs,
  • Next generation forensic DNA analysis,
  • Familial DNA,
  • Evaluation of DNA evidence – statistical and non-statistical.

Credits towards further study

Important notice

Please note we will not be taking registrations for the below courses (MSc, PgDip and PgCert) from the 2026-2027 academic year onwards:

Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology
Forensic Investigation
Digital Forensics
Counterterrorism, Security and Resilience

This means that we are no longer in a position to transfer credit associated with modules from these courses to Cranfield degree awards. We continue, however, to be able to support credit transfer to other university awards, subject to acceptance by the receiving institution.

This short course forms part of our Forensic programme and when successfully completed as an accredited short course you will gain 10 Cranfield learning credits.

Find out more about accredited short courses.

Concessions

Concessions are available for Cranfield alumni and multiple bookings from the same organisation, please contact us to discuss.

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.