Forensic Laboratorial Sciences

Code:

MCF13_3

Acronym:

MCF13_3

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Forensic Sciences

Instance: 2025/2026 - SP

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education
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	31	Current Studies Plan	1	-	6	40	162
		Current Studies Plan	1	-	6	40	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The main aim of the course is to provide an overview of concepts, techniques and laboratory procedures in forensic science. This comprehensive overview is intended to provide general knowledge on the issue in question, reflected in the perspectives of researchers and lecturers from the various scientific areas involved in this unit. It provides an introduction to the multiple areas of knowledge in forensic laboratory sciences so that the topics can be developed in subsequent optional curricular units. The approach is essentially theoretical, although supported by the presentation of real cases.

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

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)

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

Forensic Botanics

Ecology and plant systematics

Xilotomy and timber identification

Notions of palynology and aerobiology

Forensic Geology

Analysis techniques and advantages of their use in forensic investigation

Identification and description of materials: in situ analysis, macroscopic and microscopic assessment

 Forensic Chemistry

Sampling, separation and analytical techniques

Chemometrics     

Mandatory literature

Teresa 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, 2009

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes and case discussion.

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

Attendance at a minimum of 75% of contact classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final exam grade (0-20)