Project description
Recently, preliminary studies have shown that size/shape of the hand and the pressure applied when contacting a surface can alter the deposition of biological material. This project aims to investigate these variables utilizing ink to represent DNA. In the project, participants will be recruited to make contact with three different surfaces; one flat and two curved where the pressure of contact can be measured. Participants will then be tasked with applying different amounts of pressure while their hands are inked with a dark dye. In this manner, both the pressure applied (with multiple pressures tested) and the size of the hand (range of hand sizes from different recruits) will be assessed. Consideraton will be given to processing some of the samples for DNA. From these heat maps datasets can be generated to show the effects of the tested variables. Further a subset of 30 samples will be quantified to further investigate the effect of different hand areas on DNA deposition. The aim of the project is to obtain a dataset that can inform scientists that evaluate touch DNA evidence and test participants shedder status.
Assumed knowledge
all the training necessary will be provided.
Industry involvement
Note: You need to register interest in projects from different supervisors (not a number of projects with the one supervisor).
You must also contact each supervisor directly to discuss both the project details and your suitability to undertake the project.