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Forensic Toxicology

Code: MCF13_17     Acronym: MCF13_17

Keywords
Classification Keyword
OFICIAL Forensic Sciences

Instance: 2021/2022 - SP (of 13-09-2021 to 15-07-2022) Ícone do Moodle

Active? Yes
Responsible unit: Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education Department
Course/CS Responsible: Forensic Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym No. of Students Study Plan Curricular Years Credits UCN Credits ECTS Contact hours Total Time
MCF 9 Current Studies Plan 1 - 6 40 162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The unit of Forensic Toxicology has as main objective to develop the competence of students in the analysis, understanding and interpretation of results obtained in laboratory methodologies associated with xenobiotics with importance in forensic toxicology. Detailing, it is intended that students interpret forensic toxicology in its various aspects, from the ante-mortem toxicological analysis, post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death, research databases and bibliography of relevant information related to xenobiotics, implementation of analytical methods suitable for the purposes, and interpretation of analysis results, whenever in a perspective of evaluation of the dynamics of the compounds used illicitly and/or in a regulated manner.

Learning outcomes and competences

The unit’s contents, while not comprehensively addressing all of the complexity and magnitude of the problems inherent to forensic toxicology, address the main key points in order to create a broad understanding of the topic, while allowing students to develop capabilities to deepen their knowledge according to their intervening area, either scientific research, policy or field work. The skills of the students in the analysis, understanding and interpretation of results obtained in laboratory methodologies associated with forensic toxicology are developed by the body of knowledge taught at the scope of this course, including the approach of the procedures of selection, sampling, preservation and packaging of samples, the laboratory methods (screening tests, mass spectrometry or atomic absorption), the validation of the results, interpretation and preparation of laboratory protocols (research databases, bibliography and "journal club").

Working method

Presencial

Program


  1. Introduction of Forensic Toxicology, historical aspects and basics concepts.

  2. Training selection, sample, preservation and packaging of different types of samples (biological or non-biological) for Forensic Toxicology. Labeling, packaging and collection devices. Model Toxicological request. Chain of custody.

  3. Major groups of xenobiotics with an interest in Forensic Toxicology: ethanol, methanol, carbon monoxide and cyanide, pesticides, drugs of abuse and drugs.

  4. Toxicology in the Internet: search in databases. "Journal club".

  5. Laboratory protocols for rapid screening of xenobiotics involved in poisonings, or in the scope of forensic field.

  6. Validation of analytical methods to obtain precise and accurate results.

  7. Pre-treatment of biological samples for qualitative and quantitative analysis.

  8. Analytical techniques of atomic analysis, mass spectrometry and chromatographies.


9. Interpretation of toxicological results.

Mandatory literature

BARRY LEVINE ; PRINCIPLES OF FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY

Teaching methods and learning activities

The curricular unit is divided into theoretical components (T) and practical (P), which are described below :

  1. The role of Analytical Toxicology in Forensic Toxicology. Sequence analysis of a sample in the Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology. General approach on the major groups of xenobiotics with an interest in Forensic Toxicology: ethanol, methanol, carbon monoxide and cyanide, pesticides, drugs of abuse and drugs.
  2. Theoretical presentation of specific challenges for selection and sampling ante mortem and post mortem for expertise in forensic toxicology. Detailed approach of the practical aspects related to the selection, sampling, preservation and packaging of different types of samples. Reference to the custody chain.

Ethanol. Mechanisms of action and toxicity characteristics analytical aspects in forensic samples.

  1. Presentation of theoretical validation procedures of an analysis method to obtain precise and accurate toxicological results. Will be described in detail how to validate a method of analysis according to current international standards. Practicalities will focus on gas chromatography and atomic absorption.
  2. Methanol, carbon monoxide, cyanides. Mechanisms of action, toxicity characteristics and analytical aspects in forensic samples.

Analysis of blood gases and volatile: techniques for screening and quantitation.

  1. Presentation, online, of databases on the Internet related to toxicology. Caring for the research and validation of information.
  2. Pesticides. Mechanisms of action, toxicity characteristics and analytical aspects in forensic samples.

Pesticide Analysis: techniques for screening and quantitation.

  1. Drugs of abuse. Types of drugs, mechanisms of action, features and legal aspects of poisoning.

Analysis of drugs commercially available on samples (acquired in smartshops) and in biological samples: screening techniques and quantification.

  1. Drugs. Major groups involved in drug intoxications, mechanisms of action and toxicity characteristics.
  2. Pre-treatment of biological samples for subsequent analysis and characterization and quantification of compounds by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Preparation of detailed report and conducting analysis of a drug in a blood sample by GC-MS
  3. Technique of Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with electrothermal atomization for quantification of toxic metals: introduction to the basics of the method, pretreatment of the sample and analysis of it, as well as discussion of the results. Preparation of detailed report, focusing on the main experimental steps, students must submit to a timely debate. Determination of a toxic metal in biological material by atomic absorption
11. "Journal Club"

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 122,00
Frequência das aulas 40,00
Total: 162,00

Eligibility for exams

Obtaining a minimum grade of 9.5 values ​​and presence of at least 75% of the contact hours.

Calculation formula of final grade

100% = test score/written assignment.
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