Proficience in Forensic Toxicology will provide students with technical skills to supervise and solve most of the challenges in Medico Legal subjects and other related Forensic Sciences.

The history of Toxicology. The State of the art in Toxicology at the present. The role of the Forensic Toxicology service INMLCF. Toxicokinetic concepts: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion of toxics (ADME).Poisonings by venoms of animal origin: diagnosis and treatment. Poisoning by anaesthetics: its forensic importance. Food poisoning I: botulism, mushrooms. Additives used in food industry: toxicological aspects. Nitrofurans poisoning. Poisoning by medicines. Poisoning by Paracetamol. Food poisoning II. Toxicity of radiation. Contrast imaging products: their potential toxicity. Role of Pharmacogenetics in the toxicity of new medicines. Legal drugs. Their toxicity. The forensic importance of doping. Sewage treatment plant managing. Medico Legal aspects of occupational poisoning. Poisoning by heavy metals. Pesticide poisonings. Volatile toxicants. Carbon monoxide poisoning. Medico Legal implications. Environmental pollution at present. The autopsy in forensic toxicology. Solicitation, harvesting and packing of samples. The crime of poisoning in Portuguese criminal Law. Importance of chromatographic methods in Forensic Toxicology. Main causes of error in toxicological investigation. The role of the Laboratory of Forensic Police in Forensic Toxicology. The importance of chemistry in the criminal investigation.

Two-hour lessons with discussion of case reports. Field experience in Forensic Toxicology themes chosen by the student, whenever possible with internship work at public and/or private institutions.

Presentation of the programmatic content emphasizing critical subjects considered essential to graduation as a Master in Forensic Sciences.

Performance of theoretical-practical work such as public presentation of scientific papers (mainly case report papers) in Forensic Toxicological Sciences subjects.
Lab experimental lessons (two hour lessons).

Obligation of attendance to 75% of the lessons. Frequency will be considered valid when 75% of the lessons are fulfilled by the student (control of signatures in each class).

Two-hour lectures with discussion of case reports. Field experience in the Forensic Toxicology areas chosen by the student, when possible at public and/or private institutions.

Performance of theoretical and practical work such as oral presentation of programatic topics or scientific papers from Forensic Toxicology Journals to the workgroup. Laboratory pratical classes.
Successful completion (50% of grade) of the final Written Exam.

Monographic works may be performed such as scientific reviews or research work on themes chosen by the student.

Students can develop volunteer internship work in public or private institutions with a probation report. The main goal of the internship work is to allow the student to deepen his knowledge in subjects related to the topics of his thesis. The fulfillment of the internship work can replace the theoretical/practical work.

In exceptional cases provided by the law or in duly justified cases assessement of the student can be done out of the normal context and schedule, consisting in an oral exam to evaluate the student's competence on the subject matters of the curricular modules. The type of evaluation will be decided by the Coordinating Committee  and informed to the student. Any special assessment of the research project will be submitted to previous analysis by the Coordinating Committee.

The student may request new exams to improve its marks of each of the curricular modules. Public presentation of the dissertation cannot be repeated except in cases were has occured a violation of statutory provision and requests superior authorization.

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