Forensic Sciences I

Code:

C308

Acronym:

CFOR I

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Forensic Sciences

Instance: 2013/2014 - 2S (since 17-02-2014 to 23-05-2014)

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Criminology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
C	62	Oficial Study Plan LC	3	-	6	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

- To know the different areas that comprise the forensic sciences and their application fields.

-To acquire basic knowledge about medical-legal semiotics and the various areas of activity of legal medicine and other forensic sciences, with regard to its scope, objectives and skills.

-Articulation, regarding specific issues in the fields of Criminology, Law and Forensic Sciences.

Learning outcomes and competences

It is expected that students know the different fields of forensic sciences, their methodologies and applications through the acquisition of basic knowledge of forensic medicine, clinical forensics, forensic pathology, forensic anthropology, forensic dentistry and forensic biology and genetics. This knowledge is enriched with study visits and case studies.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Scope , objectives and competencies of Legal Medicine and other Forensic Sciences.
Concept, scope, content and importance of Legal Medicine and other forensic Sciences. Historical vision. The Portuguese medico-legal organization. Legal Medicine in the European Union.
Teaching objectives of the Legal Medicine. Types of medico-legal expertise. Concepts of expert examination and expertise. Methodology of the expert activity in general. Objectives and general rules for the preparation of an expert report.
2 . Clinical forensic
2.1. Concepts
2.2. methodology of expertise
2.3. Aspects Criminal Law. Concept of crime and crime types (public , semi-public and private) .
2.3.1. Assault. Objectives of expertise and its rules, according to the criminal law .
2.3.2. Maltreatment in the family context. Objectives of expertise and its rules, according to the criminal law and other legislation. Characterization of victims, risk factors, levels of victimization and indicators of abuse. Complaint, signaling, investigation, diagnosis and protection. The role of the various professionals involved in the process.
2.3.3 . Sexual Crimes. Objectives of expertise and its rules, according to the criminal law . Physical examination and harvesting, preservation and shipment of biological and non-biological traces.
3. Forensic pathology.
3.1. Tanatognose
3.2. Methodology of expertise.
3.3. Mechanisms of producing lesions
3.4. Accidental deaths
3.5. Suicide
3.6. Homicide
3.7. Sudden death
3.8. Death with undetermined cause
3.9. Mass disasters
3.10. Perinecroscopy and examination of the body in place.
4. Anthropology and Forensic Odontology
The identification of skeletal remains or corpse: species, population affinity, gender, age, size, individualizing aspects. Bones, teeth, bite marks, personal effects, etc. Diagnosis of the cause and manner of death. Dated death.
5 . Forensic toxicology
The toxicological expertise in live and cadaver. Types of examinations and their objectives.
6. Forensic Biology and Genetics
Basic concepts of molecular biology and genetics. The forensic genetics and their application areas. Methodologies in forensic molecular biology.

Mandatory literature

Butler John M.; Forensic DNA typing. ISBN: 978-0-12-147952-7
Calabuig JAG; Medicina Legal y Toxicologia, Masson, Barcelona, 2004
Committee on DNA Technology in Forensic Science; DNA technology in forensic science. ISBN: 0-309-04587-8
Di Maio VJM, Dana SE; Manual de Patología Forense, 2003
Goodwin William; An^introduction to forensic genetics. ISBN: 978-0-470-01026-6
Klaassen C, Amdur M, Doull J; Cassarett & Doull’s Toxicology. The basic science of poisons, McGraw-Hill, 2001
Magalhães Teresa 1962-; Maus tratos em crianças e jovens. ISBN: 972-8717-39-3
Magalhães T (Ed); Abuse & Neglect series: To improve the management of child abuse and neglect, SPECAN, Maia, 2011
Magalhães T (Ed); Abuso de Crianças e Jovens. Da suspeita ao diagnóstico. , LIDEL, Lisboa, 2010
Magalhães T:; Violência e Abuso. Resposta simples para questões complexas. , Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra , 2010
Niels, M. D. Morling; Handbook of forensic genettics. ISBN: 9781588294708
Sauko P, Knight B: ; Forensic Pathology, Edward Arnold, London, 2004
Williams David J. 070; Forensic pathology. ISBN: 0-443-05388-X

Complementary Bibliography

Gall, John A. M.; Boos, Stephen; Forensic medicine. ISBN: 9780443064999

Teaching methods and learning activities

The classes are theoretical and practical, in the classes it is exposed the main theoretical content of the program and are illustrated through case studies and their resolution.

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo
Frequência das aulas
Total:	0,00

Eligibility for exams

All the students that are formally registered in the CU.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final exam  will have a weight of 100% of the final grade.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Internship work/project

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Not applicable.

Classification improvement

In accordance with Regulation of evaluation in Criminology, Faculty of Law, University of Porto.