Forensic Pathology

Code:

MML114

Acronym:

MML114

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Legal Sciences
OFICIAL	Health Sciences
OFICIAL	Criminology
OFICIAL	Natural Sciences

Instance: 2023/2024 - 1S (of 15-09-2023 to 27-10-2023)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Molecular Pahology and Immunology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master's Degree in Legal Medicine

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MML	27	Oficial Plan Bolonha 2008	1	-	10	90	250

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

To provide students with different academic backgrounds., the possibility of deepening and solidifying knowledge in the various forensic topics that will be covered in this UC.

The student will be able to develop rigorous forensic work, being able to identify, document and correctly interpret the medico-legal meaning of injuries and/or certain diseases, from an integrated perspective and based on the various branches of forensic sciences.

Learning outcomes and competences

Successful attendance at this master's degree will provide students additional curricular value to develop various types of medical-legal activities and the ability to provide guidance in this field with several integrated sciences.

Working method

Presencial

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

The same as those required for access to the Master's degree.

Program

Concept and extension of Forensic Pathology: its current importance;

Verification and certification of death,

Pathophysiology of death. Destructive and conservative processes;

Medico-legal autopsy: its current importance;

The medico-legal autopsy technique and its different variants;

Types of death. Natural death, violent death and undetermined death;

The importance of examining the scene in Forensic Pathology;

The thanatological report;

Injuries and injury mechanisms;

Injuries and their mechanisms. Incised wounds. Its medico-legal importance;

Deaths due to physical, chemical and biological agents;

Death due to cold and heat. Medico-legal considerations;

Submersion. Baro-trauma. Air embolism and fat embolism;

The importance of diatoms in forensic pathology;

Medico-legal diagnosis of accidents, homicides and suicides;

Death due to firearm injuries;

Death due to electric weapons;

Deaths due to mechanical asphyxiation;

Death due to sexual crimes;

Criminal and spontaneous abortion;

Sudden death in adults. Its medico-legal importance;

Sudden infant death;

Death due to anaphylaxis. Death from infectious agents;

Death due to intoxications;

Death in oncology;

Infanticide;

Death due to child abuse;

Forensic pathology in major catastrophe situations;

The need for autopsy in occupational medicine;

Death in case of bioterrorism;

Medico-legal autopsy and clinical autopsy;

Forensic photography and video. Its medico-legal importance;

Oral and dental autopsy;

The importance of imaging in Forensic Pathology;

Virtual autopsy. Advantages and disadvantages;

Death from injuries caused by animals;

Death caused by diseases transmitted by animals;

The importance of veterinary forensic pathology;

Observation of a medico-legal autopsy.

Mandatory literature

Calabuig JAG;; Medicina Legal y Toxicologia, , 6ª ed, Masson, Barcelona., 2004
Sauko, P e Knight B; Forensic Pathology, Edward Arnold, London, 2004
Di Maio VJM, Dana SE;; Manual de Patología Forense, , Diaz de Santos, Madrid, 2003
(Trad. Concheiro L)Gall JAM, Boos SC, Payne-James JJ, Culliford EJ;; Forensic Medicine. , Colour Guide, Churchill Livingstone., 2003
Williams DJ, Ansford A, Priday DS, Forrest AS;; Forensic Pathology. , Colour Guide, Churchill Livingstone, 1998
Dominick J. Di Maio, Vincent J.M. Dimaio ; Forensic Pathology,, Elsevier,, 2005
J. Pinto da Costa, ; Ao sabor do Tempo, Felícia e Alvim, , Famalicão, 2001

Comments from the literature

When applicable, other bibliographical references will be provided in the summary of each theoretical class.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Software

Moodle UP

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	110,00
Frequência das aulas	90,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	50,00
Total:	250,00

Eligibility for exams

Attendance of, at least, 75% of the sessions.

Exceptional situations according to the law will be, obviously, considered.

Calculation formula of final grade

Assessment Components:

1. “Theoretical-practical evaluation” component (TPEC): Test consisting on multiple choice questions, based on the theoretical-practical sessions, classified from 0 to 20. Students are approved in the TPEC if their classification equals to or exceeds 9.50 / 20.
2. “Seminar evaluation” component (SEC): based on the evaluation of the presentation of seminars, previously scheduled. This classification is expressed from 0 to 20, and students are approved in the SEC if their classification equals to or exceeds 9.50 / 20.

 

Calculation of the final grade:

Approval in the Curricular Unit of Forensics Pathology implies a classification equal to or exceeding 9.50 / 20 in both components of the evaluation (TPEC and SEC).

A negative result in any of the components will lead to disapproval.

 

The final classification of the curricular unit (FCCU) is calculated according to the formula:

FCCU = 0.5 x TPEC + 0.5 x SEC

Examinations or Special Assignments

No special tests or assignments are planned.

Internship work/project

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

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

In exceptional cases provided by law or duly justified, an assessment outside the usual context and schedule can be performed.

This type of evaluation will be determined by the Coordinating Committee of the Master to inform the student about the subject. With regard to research work any special assessment shall be subject to review by the Coordinating Committee of the Master and and will be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Assessment and Pedagogical Guidance Standards of the University of Porto.

Classification improvement

The student may request, in the following semester, improving the final classification of each of the theoretical modules of the Master. Regarding the final classification of the Master, it included the classification obtained in the presentation of your dissertation, just released repetition of public proof of submission of Master's Thesis may be granted if this violates any statutory provision.