Dr Lindsey Welch

Dr Lindsey Welch graduated from The University of Manchester in 2000 with a BSc (Hons) degree in Biology.

Upon graduating, she took up a position as Researcher at The Forensic Science Service laboratories in Birmingham, UK. She was able to carry out PhD studies concurrently with the research work being undertaken in the laboratory.

Her main research project was focused on developing new multiplex systems to allow DNA profiling when traditional methods failed to gain a reportable result. Other projects included SNP analysis, DNA persistence in fingernail samples and the effect of DNA degradation on the ability to gain a DNA profile.

Previous research work concerned the use of single nucleotide DNA polymorphisms (SNPs) for forensic identification, using a multiplexing technique developed in-house. This formed the basis of her PhD study which was carried out in collaboration with Cardiff University. Interpretation criteria were designed according to population allele frequencies generated from the study of three different ethnic groups.

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium was determined using both goodness-of-fit testing and Exact tests within Genetic Data Analysis (GDA) software. Additional work included a study of the effect of the inbreeding coefficient (FST) and the effect of sampling bias on match probabilities, mainly through the use of computer simulations written in Visual Basic.

In January 2007 she became a Lecturer in Forensic Biology within the Centre for Forensic Science at The University of Strathclyde. Her main teaching is concerned with DNA profiling for human identification and the use of population genetics for statistical analyses.

Research interests

• The process of DNA degradation and the ability to gain DNA profiles from compromised samples, such as those found in mass disaster situations
• Transfer and persistence of DNA
• Interpretation of DNA mixtures
• Understanding population genetics and its relationship to forensic science
• The integrity of low copy number DNA profiling

Dr Welch is an active member in the ENFSI DNA working group and is currently co-ordinating an inter-laboratory exercise investigating the use of a commercial STR profiling kit for degraded samples.

She has published papers in respected forensic science journals and presented at several international conferences.