Department of Biological Sciences

Facilities and Instruments

The Department of Biological Sciences at Fayetteville State University has provided the Forensic Science Programs with many modern instruments and facilities that enable the students to gain the knowledge and the skills that are needed in the Forensic Science and the Biotechnology fields. Here is a list of the major instruments

ABI PRISM 310 Genetic Analyzer

The 310 Genetic Analyzer is an automated single- capillary genetic analyzer that is designed to performed a range of applications, such as: DNA sequencing, DNA fragment Analysis, SNPs Validation and Discovery, linkage mapping, and mutation detection. The Forensic Science Students in this program perform DNA analysis on the Genetic analyzer to identify the DNA sequences and compare them to known DNA samples. Hence, the students are learning the skills that are needed for the forensic scientists to operate in crime investigations.

7500 Real Time PCR System 

Real Time PCR is also called quantitative real time PCR (qPCR).

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

PCR is an instrument that is used to amplify a segment of DNA to millions of copy's over time. PCR is used to diagnose diseases, identify bacteria and viruses, is also used to clone the DNA in order to identify mutations and match criminals to crime scenes. The forensic Science program trains the students to become skilled professionals in applying the modern technology to the current forensic and justice systems.  

High Performance Liquid Chromatography HPLC

HPLC is used to separate, identify and quantitative chemicals and organic compounds. it is also used in identifying the physical structure for any type of compounds. it is used in forensic to identify drugs and toxins that might casued the crime

Gas Chromatograph-Mass spectrometry GC-MS

GC-MS is used to identify different substances within a test sample. it is used in identifying chemicals, drug detection, environmental analysis, fire investigation, and trace elements. the students in the forensic science chemistry concentration are trained professionally and they are able to conduct GC-MS analysis and HPLC analysis.

Other instruments
The forensic Science program has also the following:

1. Biological Photometer.
2. Centrifuge/ Spinning Systems.
3. (-20/-80 C)Freezer/ Refrigeration systems.
4. Gel Electrophoresis systems.
5. High Resolutions OLYMPUS Microscopes.

Facilities

The forensic Science program is provided with many smart classrooms and fully equipped laboratories.