Forensic DNA Profiling

The Forensic DNA Profiling Facility provides state of the art DNA analysis services of both human and nonhuman DNA. Coordinating with various lab facilities at Florida International University, the facility supports cutting-edge research and teaching and also provides services for local crime labs

We support local law enforcement agencies including the Miami-Dade Police Department, Broward County Sheriff's Office and Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. 

A researcher's hands are seen removing a sample vial from a tray.
  • Instrumentation
    • Stratalinker
    • MiSeq FGx Sequencer
    • Eppendorf thermomixer
    • Eppendorf refrigerated thermomixer
    • 3x Eppendorf 5415D benchtop centrifuges
    • Eppendorf Vacufuge
    • Eppendorf 5804 centrifuge + deep well plate rotor
    • 2x Eppendorf 5430 Refrigerated Centrifuges
    • 2x High Speed Digital Microplate shakers
    • Maxwell 16 automated extraction system
    • ThermoFisher ABI SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer
    • 2x Hybridization ovens (Illumina Microarrays)
    • Vacuum dessicator
    • Thermal plate sealer
    • Qubit 2.0 Fluorometer
    • Qubit 4.0 Fluorometer
    • Quant Studio 3 High Resolution Melt PCR System
    • ProFlex thermocycler (96-well block)
    • Eppendorf D30 Biophotometer
    • OMAX digital microscope
    • 3x laminar flow hoods
    • PBI barocycler
  • Software
    • Sequencher (one PC license and one Mac license)
    • CLC Genomics workbench (Network license) with Microbial workbench (2 desktop licenses)
    • GeneMapper v3.7
    • Illumina Experiment Manager/Sequencing Analysis Viewer
    • ExactID
    • PrimerE, version 7
  • Services

    Our facility offers a variety of services ranging from casework to validations as well as support for research. Pricing for internal clients can be found on the ORED website. Please contact Dr. Christina Burns with questions, scheduling and information on outside vendor pricing.

  • Facility Research

    The research conducted at our facility under the supervision of Dr. DeEtta K. Mills focuses on the development of DNA profiling methods for nonhuman organisms such as soil microbial communities, equines, plants, fungi and others.

    Ongoing research projects in our facility include:

    • Spatial autocorrelation of soil biota profiles with soil type across Miami-Dade County.
    • Study of bacterial growth, on bacteria obtained from soil, in the presence of iron and Oxytetracycline.
    • Surveillance of tetracycline-resistance genes (tet genes) within antibiotic-resistant soil bacteria communities found in Miami-Dade county soils and comparison across the different soil types to discover diversity of these genes.
    • Investigation of the diversity of Vancomycin Genes in Microbes in Sub-Tropical Soils.
    • Comparative analysis of freshwater and marine cyanobacteria to determine the role of iron in community virulence and black band disease in corals.
    • Major Histocompatibility Complex genes as genetic markers in the conservation and management of wild equids.
    • Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) genetic profiling for domestic and wild equine subjects
    • Coat color genotyping determination on wild mustangs
    • Canine olfaction for the detection of pathogens such as Raffaelea lauricola in laurel wilt diseased avocado trees

Contact Us

DeEtta Mills

DeEtta Mills

Director of International Forensic Research Institute; Associate Professor; Chairperson, Department of Biological Sciences

Biological Sciences; International Forensic Research Institute


Office: OE 116A

Phone: 305-348-7410

Email: millsd@fiu.edu

Christina Burns

Christina Burns

Lab Manager II

International Forensic Research Institute


Office: OE 127C, OE 118, OE 120, OE 123, OE 258

Phone: 305-348-0498

Email: chburns@fiu.edu

Specialty: DNA Profiling Facility Manager