Biologia e Geologia Forense

Code:

MCF13_14

Acronym:

MCF13_14

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Forensic Sciences

Instance: 2023/2024 - SP

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	7	Current Studies Plan	1	-	6	40	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

At the end of the Forensic Botany unit, participants knowing that, in general, it is possible to identify plants by their anatomical, histological and cytological features, must show competence in the selection and use of different histological techniques necessary for sample preparation; must be able to identify basic anatomic structures and the different plant tissues and must also be able to analyze the pollen morphology and identify large groups pollen.

The goal of the Forensic Geology unit is the acquisition of technical and scientific knowledge relative to the properties, identification and characterization of geological materials that are more directly relevant to the Forensic Sciences, such as soils, minerals, rock fragments, pigments, gems, dust, cement, concrete. Applying techniques to the laboratory and to in situ studies for the analysis of material properties and their identification and chronology.

Learning outcomes and competences

The unit’s contents, while not comprehensively addressing all of the complexity and magnitude of the problems inherent to forensic biology and geology, 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, be that scientific research, policy or field work. The contents were developed to raise the students’ sensitivity and critical judgment, thus promoting their problem solving ability.

Working method

Presencial

Program

FORENSIC BOTANY

Basics of plant anatomy

Ecology and Systematics of plants

Xilotomia and identification of timber

Notions of palynology and aerobiology

Sampling and sample preparation. Development of protocols for the identification of pollen grains and fungal spores using microscopy techniques (qualitative and quantitative). Preparation of pollen schedules

Melissopalynology

FORENSIC GEOLOGY

Optical microscopy using polarized transmitted light and / or reflected and Raman microscopy. Advantages of using these techniques in forensics

Identification and characterization of materials: in situ analysis, macroscopic and microscopic

Establishment of analytical protocols with resource use patterns: terminologies

Sampling and sample preparation. Production of polished surfaces and thin sections

Technical support to the diagnosis. The use of binocular loupe and optical polarization microscope: light transmitted and reflected light and even micro-Raman spectrometer

Applications.

Mandatory literature

Cox CB, Moore PD; Biogeography: an Ecological and Evolutionary approach.7th Ed.

Teaching methods and learning activities

This unit aims to communicate specific knowledge about the issues at hand and apply this knowledge in a practical way, so that the theoretical and practical approach, sustained on real case work, seems more appropriate.

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.