David R. Foran

Associate Professor
Director, Forensic Science Program

Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1987

426 Giltner Hall
Office Telephone: 517-432-5439
foran@msu.edu
Research website

Forensic Science, Forensic Molecular Biology, Species and Individual Identification

The Forensic Biology program at Michigan State University is a joint curriculum of the Department of Zoology and School of Criminal Justice. Research in my laboratory focuses on designing and perfecting techniques that help advance the fields of forensic biology and forensic molecular biology. We also strive to develop a better practical and theoretical understanding of methods currently used in State, Federal and private forensic laboratories. Our research encompasses both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, and while the primary focus is on the human species, work is performed on trace evidence from domestic animals that may exist at a crime scenes, and wildlife species that are endangered, threatened, or otherwise at risk. We also conduct research on cases of historical interest through molecular examination of crime scenes and exhumed bodies, such as our work on the Boston Strangler and Dr. Hawley Crippen.

Representative Publications

R.L. Gundry, M.W. Allard, T.R. Moretti, R.L. Honeycutt, M.R. Wilson, K.L. Monson, and D.R. Foran, 2007 Mitochondrial DNA Analysis of the Domestic Dog: Control Region Variation Within and Among Breeds. Journal of Forensic Sciences 52, 562-572.

A.M. Tarone and D.R. Foran, 2006 Environmental Components of Variation Contributing to Plasticity in the Development Rate of a Michigan Population of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Journal of Medical Entomology 43, 1023-1033.

D.R. Foran, K.R. Crooks and S.C. Minta. 1997. Species identification from scat: An unambiguous genetic method. Wildl. Soc. Bulletin 25: 835-839.

D.R. Foran, S.C. Minta and K.S. Heinemeyer. 1997. DNA-based analysis of hair to identify species, gender and individuals for population research and monitoring. Wildl. Soc. Bulletin 25: 840-847.

D.R. Foran, J.E. Hixon and W.M. Brown. 1988. Comparisons of ape and human sequences that regulate mitochondrial DNA transcription and D-loop DNA synthesis. Nuc. Acids Res. 17: 5841-5861.