Thesis Title: Forensic DNA population study to establish autosomal-, Y-, and X-STR allele frequencies for the Zambian population
Supervisors: A/Prof Laura Heathfield and Dr Ray Handema

Zambia’s use of forensic DNA evidence in resolving crime has remained rudimentary, and there is no established population database in place. This makes statistical interpretation of DNA results challenging, and the generated DNA evidence falling short of the generally acceptable standard, as set by the ruling in R v Doheny and Adams (1997) I Cr. App. R 369. This study therefore, is aimed at assessing the distribution of forensically-relevant microsatellite loci in respect of the autosomal STR, X-STR, and the Y-STR, in the Zambian population, in order to establish the respective background allelic frequency databases for the country. This anonymised DNA data will enable statistical evaluation of DNA evidence in future forensic casework. The study will take on a quantitative, cross-sectional study design.  The sample population will include 1500 volunteers, above the age of 18, unrelated, and randomly sampled from across the 9 major ethnolinguistic groups. Inner check (buccal) swabs have already been collected using the EasiCollect plus device after informed consent was obtained. This was done after ethics approval obtained from the Tropical Diseases Research Centre (IRB number: 0000291). In this study, samples will be analysed by direct PCR, and amplicons by capillary electrophoresis to generate the; autosomal -, X Chromosomal-, and Y Chromosomal- microsatellite loci. The statistical analysis of the respective microsatellite loci will be performed by Arlequin software version 3.5 to assess forensic and population parameters. This data will constitute the first forensic genetics population data for Zambia and will contribute substantially towards the use of DNA in resolving criminal and civil disputes in the country.