This topic starts by looking at how forensic pathologists use a wide variety of analytical techniques to determine the identity of a person or other animal, and to establish the time and cause of death of an organism, including humans.

It then considers how bacteria and viruses use a variety of routes into their hosts and how hosts have evolved barriers and internal mechanisms to combat infections. These protections are not always successful and many people in the world still die from infectious diseases.

This topic also investigates the evolutionary battles that take place between invading pathogens and their hosts.

Topic 6: Infection, Immunity & ForensicsIntroduction by Edexcel

L/O:

Forensics

We will cover the forensics component of the course over the next 5-6 weeks. We will begin by looking at the basic ways in which a corpse can be identified.

For the end of Year 12

Finger Printing & Identification

Distinguish individuals by comparing the composition of their finger prints & compare the class sample to the national average.

Juan Vucetich, born in Croatia and an Argentinean immigrant was the first to make a positive identification in a criminal case.

Police Inspector Alvarez

In 1892, two boys were brutally murdered in the village of Necochea, near Buenos Aires, Argentina. Initially, suspicion fell on a man named Velasquez, a suitor of the children's mother, Francisca Rojas. But even after torture (?), the police could not get him to confess.

Aware of Juan Vucetich’s ideas they asked him compare a bloody finger print & the mothers – they were a match. When confronted she broke down and confessed.

Today finger printing has evolved in application, complexity and speed, but the fundamental principles have remained the same as seen in the FBI’s developments:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASjsyONRkEc