Forensic Laboratorial Sciences
Keywords |
Classification |
Keyword |
OFICIAL |
Forensic Sciences |
Instance: 2023/2024 - SP
Cycles of Study/Courses
Acronym |
No. of Students |
Study Plan |
Curricular Years |
Credits UCN |
Credits ECTS |
Contact hours |
Total Time |
MCF |
28 |
Current Studies Plan |
1 |
- |
6 |
40 |
162 |
Teaching language
Suitable for English-speaking students
Objectives
The unit's main objective is to give an overview of the concepts, techniques and laboratory procedures in forensic sciences. This broad scope aims to bring general knowledge about the theme, reflected in the different perspectives of researchers and teachers from the various scientific areas of this unit. This course provides an introduction that covers the various areas of laboratorial forensic sciences to enable the development of various topics in posterior optional curricular units. This approach is mainly theoretical although supported in real cases presentation.
Learning outcomes and competences
At the end the students will be able to understand the methodologies of the laboratorial procedures leading to the identification of biological and non biological material in forensic cases. Also a global overview is given on the validity of the forensic laboratorial proof (e.g., Forensic Genetics, Toxicology, Biology, Geology or Criminalistics).
Working method
Presencial
Program
1. Forensic Genetics
Forensic Genetics at the service of Justice
Legal aspects of applying DNA analysis to forensic case solving
Forensic exams: biological investigation of filiation; Biological Criminalistics; Individual genetic identification
Genetics databases
Types of polymorphisms: autossomic STRs; STRs e SNPs of Y chromosome; mitochondrial DNA (HVI and HVII)
2. Forensic Toxicology
Samples of forensic interest, sampling and chain of custody
Xenobiotic metabolism and eligible exposure biomarkers to be used in toxicological analysis
Post-mortem redistribution
Pharmacogenomics
3. Forensic Botanics
Ecology and plant systematics
Xilotomy and timber identification
Notions of palynology and aerobiology
4. Forensic Geology
Analysis techniques and advantages of their use in forensic investigation
Identification and description of materials: in situ analysis, macroscopic and microscopic assessment
5. Forensic Chemistry
Sampling, separation and analytical techniques
Chemometrics
Mandatory literature
Terra Pinheiro MF; Genética forense: Perspetivas da identificação genética, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, 2010
Klaassen CD; Cassarett Doulls' Toxicology: The basic science of poisons, McGraw-Hill, 2007
Maureth JD; Botany: an introduction to plant biology, Jones & Bartlett Pub , 2009
Murray RC; Evidence from de earth: Forensic Geology and CSI, Mountain Press, 2011
Skoog D, West D, Holler, F & Crouch S; Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, Brooks/Cole, 2003
Complementary Bibliography
Kaiser M & Scheiner PM; DNA-based prediction of human external characteristics in forensics, Forensic Science International, 3, 154-161, 2009
Teaching methods and learning activities
Theoretical classes and journal clubs
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 |
80,00 |
Frequência das aulas |
40,00 |
Total: |
120,00 |
Eligibility for exams
Presence at a minimum 75 % of contact time.
Calculation formula of final grade
Final exame grade (0-20)