Fairmont State undergraduate students present forensic research findings

At many universities, students often spend their undergraduate careers dipping their toes into the world of academic research, with limited opportunities to present their findings before graduation. At Fairmont State, however, students can do research from day one, and many are given opportunities to present their findings alongside faculty experts at professional conferences around the world.

This spring, four Fairmont State University forensic science students attended the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists (MAAFS) conference in Pittsburgh, PA with faculty member Professor Kristy Henson. The students who attended were Katie Long (Hamlin, W.VA), McKenzie Lamm (Stonewood, W.VA), Cody Barnes (Shinnston, W.VA), and Jay Bow (Dexter, MI).

“Fairmont State’s forensics program loves to showcase our undergraduate students’ research and their unique projects at national scientific conferences,” said Henson. “MAAFS gave these students the opportunity to network with professionals in different forensic fields, learn about graduate programs, see what modern research is being conducted in the field, and be an active part of the forensics community.”

Long gave a presentation titled Comparison of DNA Extraction Methods. The presentation explored three forms of DNA extraction types: solution-based, column-based and magnetic bead-based, and how these methods compare to each other. Overall, these methods produced similar DNA extraction efficiencies.

Barnes presented a project titled Fingerprint Correlation Between Identical Twins. The presentation explained how it is commonly stated that identical twins do not possess identical fingerprints. However, limited research has been conducted to determine if there are any correlations between similar print characteristics. In the past, unrelated individuals have been misidentified based on fingerprint similarities in forensic cases, and this may be more likely amongst twins. The case study's objective was to determine if there are correlations between fingerprint characteristics of identical twins and the probability of misidentification. Results indicated there could be a possibility of misidentification, but more twin fingerprints should be studied to draw valid conclusions.

Bow spoke along with Prof. Henson during the physical evidence session. The presentation, titled Bring out Your Dead: Skeletons in Institutional Closets, described the long history of human skeletal remains being used in natural science courses around the world for centuries. The absence of regulation resulted in little to no identifying records being kept for human skeletal remains. To rehumanize and reassociate the individuals in Fairmont State University’s collection, osteometric (the measurement of bones), and macroscopic (features and objects visible to the naked eye) analysis techniques were used to reunite disarticulated individuals and determine their osteobiography, which is the history of one's life told by their skeletal information. This resulted in the discovery that the remains belong to at least 43 individuals, 28 of whom had profile information restored.

Prof. Henson also gave a talk titled Using Historical Biocultural Variables and Vitamin D Deficiency to Assist with Osteoprofiles. This session explains the biocultural approach, which uses biological, environmental, and cultural variables to help identify where an individual spent their childhood or their adult life. The research conducted examines historic skeletal, genealogical, and biocultural information to determine if there is a correlation with the presence of vitamin D deficiency. Preliminary results indicate that there were trends in determining where an individual spent their childhood and the likelihood of vitamin D deficiency. More research is warranted but completing osteoprofiles (skeletal profile) using biocultural variables may help identify where someone is from and how they lived their lives which in turn will assist with identification.

“Undergraduate research is a great way for students to engage in their specific interests in science,” said Henson “All four of these students are doing unique research and a lot of the feedback they received was that their projects were at the graduate level. I’m proud of my students, they have learned to be confident, to be an expert, and how to conduct successful research.”

Henson also added that this opportunity was made possible by the WV STaR Sure Undergraduate Research grant and donations made to the Fairmont State Foundation.

“Katie, Cody, McKenzie, and Jay were all recipients of the WV STaR Sure Undergraduate Research Grant through Fairmont State University and relied on donations they raised through the Foundation on the Day of Giving to attend this conference,” said Henson We would like to thank the WVHEPC and the donors for helping our students attend this conference”

To learn more about Fairmont State’s Forensic Science program, visit the Forensic Science Program webpage.