Biology major processes information to validate kits used in criminal investigations
A Winthrop biology major put his lab skills to work during an internship at the York County Sheriff’s Office from February to April this year. Now a senior, Brent Shuman primarily sorted information on the validation of kits used during crime scene investigations. The validations served to verify that the kits worked up to government standards.
“There is a standard checklist to make sure everything is working properly in the event that someone challenged the findings in a court of law,” Shuman said. “When the government brings in a new kit, they have to validate it, which means running very extensive tests comparing known samples to readings coming from the kit. Then all that data has to be sorted. So that was my main task while I was there was sorting validation information.”
Shuman processed information on the validation of multiplex PCR amplification kits. Multiplex PCR refers to the use of a polymerase chain reaction to amplify DNA sequences and create genetic profiles based on DNA segment length. The kit compares known DNA profiles to unknown profiles.
“Hopefully they’ll be able to use the kit as soon as it’s validated and be able to prosecute attackers and other criminals who’ve committed crimes,” Shuman said.
Sorting validation information required converting data to Excel and creating tables.
“Even though the work was tedious, I didn’t hate it. I think I could do some sort of data processing in the future, and also I really enjoyed being in the lab when I could be,” Shuman said.
Shuman got the chance to extract and sequence his own DNA profile in the lab. He also observed lab work by scientists who processed rape kits and swabbed knives found in houses to detect blood.
“It was a little heavy, definitely. Sort of realizing where that was coming from and then understanding what was happening with it was definitely a cause for reflection,” Shuman said.
His lab supervisor and DNA Technical leader Crystal Kissel mentored him throughout his internship. According to Shuman, she was laid-back, providing a balance between professional talk and casual conversation.
Shuman practiced stenography in the lab by taking notes as Kissel handled evidence, from rape kits to swabs from vehicles. He also learned from Kissel when it was appropriate to collect DNA samples. He assisted in inputting DNA profiles into the Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, which contains the genetic profiles of people around the nation.
“If you have an unknown profile match with a known offender you could
identify them as that person and track them down and prosecute them,” Shuman said.
Dr. Courtney Guenther is the internship coordinator for the biology department. She helped Shuman set up this internship.
“Obviously he learned a tremendous amount from the real hands-on experience in a professional setting,” Guenther said. “He was an outstanding representation for Winthrop. He represented our school and our department really well.”
Shuman participated in this internship for 15 weeks, dedicating a total of 72 hours which exceeded the minimal requirements by 22 hours. He qualified for the internship because he was a biology major with a GPA above a 2.5. He was required to do a background check and fill out an application. He was expected to have basic lab skills, which Shuman acquired while taking microscopy as well as BIOL 300.
“This internship was a real-world application of information that I learned in my classes and in a formal setting,” Shuman said. “I learned more about what a government office looks and seems like, the different protocols that are necessary in general for a criminal investigation.”
After beginning his internship, Shuman was selected to participate in a highly competitive program, Research Experience for Undergrads, at the University of Georgia. He is interested in applying to the university to take part in their biology program after he graduates.
