Forensic Toxicology

Code:

MML111

Acronym:

MML111

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Pharmacological Sciences
OFICIAL	Chemistry Sciences
OFICIAL	Physical Sciences

Instance: 2013/2014 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://sigarra.up.pt/icbas/pt/ucurr_geral.ficha_uc_view?pv_ocorrencia_id=338414
Responsible unit:	ICBAS - IML
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree in Forensic Medicine

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MML	0	Oficial Plan Bolonha 2008	1	-	8	67	200

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Provide the student the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in Forensic Toxicology, namely its importance in criminal investigation, in labor law, civil law and criminal law, and its applicability in expert practice in various areas of Legal Medicine.

 

Learning outcomes and competences

The frequency of use in Forensic Toxicology module gives the student an asset curriculum to develop various types of forensic activities and guidance capacity in this branch of forensic medicine and the various Sciences of her members.

 

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Degrees in health sciences and other medico-legal issues-call. Curriculum on Medical-Legal Sciences. Frequency utilization in the course of specialization in Medical-Legal Sciences.

 

Program

The Forensic Toxicology in criminal investigation. The autopsy in forensic toxicology. Solicitation, harvesting and packing of samples. Chain of custody. The crime of poisoning in Portuguese criminal law. Toxicokinetic concepts: Absorption, Metabolism and Excretion of toxics. Mechanisms of toxicity. Bases of pharmacogenetics: Its forensic importance. Main causes of error in toxicological investigation. Pesticide poisonings. Nitrofurans poisoning. Additives used in food industry: toxicological aspects. Food poisoning: botulism, mushrooms. Medicinal poisoning. Poisoning by heavy metals. Poisoning by anaesthetics: its forensic importance. Industrial poisoning. Animal venoms poisonings: diagnosis and treatment. Toxicity of radiation. In contrast imaging products: their potential toxicity. Medico-legal aspects of occupational poisoning. Environmental pollution at present: medico-legal implications. Environmental pollution markers: Its relevance in Portuguese legislation. Biological effect of dioxins – implications for public health. Drugs of abuse. Its forensic importance. Acute and chronic alcohol intoxication: forensic relevance. Assessment of the State of addiction. The forensic importance of doping. New toxicants: forms of detection. The intervention of the laboratory of forensic science in Forensic Toxicology. The importance of chemistry in the criminal investigation. Toxicology reports. Toxicological expertise in court.

 

Mandatory literature

Baselt, R. and Cravey, R.; Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man , 6th ed, Biomedical, 2002
Bogusz, Maciel ; Forensic Science – vol. 2, handbook of analytical separations, Elsevier, 2000
Calabuig JAG;; Medicina Legal y Toxicologia, 6ª ed, Masson, Barcelona, 2004
Sauko, P Casarett and Doull’s eds.; Toxicology: the Basic Science of Poisons, 6Th ed. Mc Graw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001
Klassen, C, Amadur, M., and Doull, J.; Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology. The basic science of poisons – , McGRAW-HILL, 6th ed., 2001
Levine, Barry; Principles of Forensic Toxicology, 2nd ed. AACC Press, 2003
Moffat, AC ; Clarke’s Isolation and Identification of Drugs, The Pharmaceutical Press, 2nd ed., 1986

Teaching methods and learning activities

Two-hour lectures with discussion of practical cases. Practical experience in the areas chosen by the student, wherever possible and in various types of public and private institutions.

Presentation to the student of the programmatic content of the various disciplines with an indication of the most important themes and subjects, considered essential for the formation of a master's degree in forensic medicine.

Realization of theoretical and practical work such as teaching themes, submission and review of scientific articles.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Defesa pública de dissertação, de relatório de projeto ou estágio, ou de tese	25,00
Exame	70,00
Participação presencial	5,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	36,00
Estudo autónomo	108,00
Frequência das aulas	72,00
Total:	216,00

Eligibility for exams

By monitoring the attendance of students through registration subscription of presence in each class. Will be considered valid the presence frequency in two thirds of the number of classes taught in each.

Two-hour lectures with discussion of practical cases. Practical experience in the areas chosen by the student, wherever possible and in various types of public and private institutions.

Presentation to the student of the programmatic content of the various disciplines with an indication of the most important themes and subjects, considered essential for the formation of a master's degree in forensic medicine.

Realization of theoretical and practical work such as teaching themes, submission and review of scientific articles.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Score = 0.3*practical score + 0.7*theoretical score

Practical classes score = 0,2*monograph/theme + 0,1*Practical classes

The classification of the theoretical component can be done in a quantitative way, on a scale from 0 to 20 points and also in a qualitative way into four grades, can not satisfy enough, satisfies, satisfies good and satisfies very good. In the theoretical part, questions are scored the highest rating of the exam what will become of fourteen values. To this component is added a rating information from the teatcher of the module that can reach a point. The research work done and submitted individually by each student will have a rating of five points. The final grade will be used in a range of vi and is obtained by following the Regulations of Masters approved by University of Porto.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Monographic works may be carried out of the type literature review or experimental scope on topics chosen by the student.

 

Internship work/project

Students can develop a volunteer internship in public or private institutions and prepare the respective probation report. At this stage it is intended that the student has deepen their knowledge and preferably in the subject related to the topic of his thesis. The completion of this stage can replace the elaboration of theoretical/practical work.

 

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

In exceptional cases provided in the law or in duly justified cases an evaluation may be carried out outside the usual context and schedule, which may concern only an oral exam on evaluate the degree of knowledge of the student in relation to the theoretical practice. This type of evaluation will be determined by the Coordinating Committee of the Master who shall inform the student about the subject. With regard to the research project any special assessment shall be subject to analysis by the Commission Coordinator of the Masters.

 

Classification improvement

The student may request, in the next semester, improving the final ranking of each of the theoretical modules of the Master. For the final classification of the master, when included the classification obtained in the public presentation of his dissertation, authorization may be granted only to repeat public presentation of Master Thesis if this violates any statutory provision.

 

Observations

Students who have successfully completed the Course of Specialization in Medical-Legal Sciences will receive preference in selection as students of the Master Course in Forensic Medicine of this Institute.