Forensic Pathology

Code:

MCF13_7

Acronym:

MCF13_7

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	23	Current Studies Plan	1	-	6	40	162
		Current Studies Plan	1	-	6	40	162

Teaching language

Portuguese
Obs.: Inglês

Objectives

To provide professionals who are involved or likely to become involved in issues related to Forensic Pathology, the knowledge and skills necessary for conducting or cooperating with forensic exams in this area, as well as for an adequate understanding of such exams, namely concerning the interpretation of results.

Learning outcomes and competences

The unit’s contents, while not thoroughly addressing all of the complexity and magnitude of the problematical issues inherent to forensic thanathology, address the main key points in order to create a broad understanding of the matter, while allowing students to develop their ability to deepen their knowledge about the themes under approach according to their specific area of intervention. The contents were furthermore developed to raise the students’ sensitivity and critical judgment, thus promoting their problem solving ability.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Forensic Thanathology


2. Pathophysiology of death


3. The general and the specific autopsy techniques


4. Photodocumentation of the autopsy


5. Body identification. Clothing examination


6. The mechanisms of injuries


7. Causality nexus


8. Autopsy in specific cases: poisoning; sexual offense; pregnancy, childbirth and abortion; abuse; mechanical asphyxia; physical, chemical or biological agents; road-traffic, rail and work accidents; stab wounds; firearm; explosion; infanticide; sudden death in infant, children and adults; torture; judicial custody; mass disasters; exhumation


9. Embalming techniques


10. The autopsy report


11. Crime Scene Examination


12. Team and equipment


13. Phases of intervention at the scene


14. The role of the forensic expert


15. Forensic Pathology


16. Selection of samples


17. Sampling techniques. The chain of custody

3. Histological examinations. Specimen processing and interpretation of results.

Mandatory literature

Masson; Calabuig JAG: Medicina Legal y Toxicologia

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures (20 hours) and practical classes (20 hours).

Multiple choice written test.

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	40,00
Frequência das aulas	60,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Final exam.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final exam = 100%