CHE-20012: Drugs of Abuse

The role of Forensic Science in the investigation of drugs and drug-related crime will be examined. This module will develop students understanding of the systematic abuse of drugs and alcohol and introduce the relevant legal issues. Aspects of pharmacology and toxicology will be introduced by examining various classes of drugs in detail, and the determination of drugs and alcohols in biological specimens will be demonstrated using appropriate methodologies and analytical techniques.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe relevant, up-to-date UK legislation relating to drugs and alcohol. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Describe in detail the major types of controlled drugs, their origins, chemical composition, uses and effects, including some specific individual drugs of abuse. will be achieved by assessments: 2, 4
Explain how drugs and alcohol are absorbed, distributed, metabolised and eliminated from the body, and how a biological response is triggered by a drug. will be achieved by assessments: 4
Determine the appropriate detailed calculation(s) needed for blood alcohol concentrations in drink-driving offences and deduce the correct outcomes. will be achieved by assessments: 2, 3
Explain the chemical complexity of pharmaceutical and illicit drugs and how this can provide the forensic scientist with valuable information. will be achieved by assessments: 2, 4
Propose and describe a general scheme for identification of pharmaceutical and illicit drugs. will be achieved by assessments: 2, 4
Apply a range of established experimental/spectroscopic techniques to effectively investigate casework through problem-solving and understand the parameters involved in method selection. will be achieved by assessments: 2, 4
Interpret analytical results in the context of casework and express these in an impartial and appropriate manner. will be achieved by assessments: 2

Study hours

Lectures: 20 hours
Laboratory sessions: 20 hours
Private study including lab write-ups and revision: 110 hours

Description of Module Assessment

01: Class Test weighted 10%

Unseen class test
Mutiple choice class test covering drugs legislation material (3 lectures): 10%

02: Practical Assessment weighted 30% (min pass mark of 40)

Practical assessment - experimental and non-experimental tasks
Submission of a single report based around a drugs-related criminal investigation and all analyses: 30%

03: Problem Sheets weighted 10%

Workshop and problem-solving exercise
3 hour workshop and problem-solving exercise based on blood-alcohol calculations: 10%

04: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 50% (min pass mark of 30)

Unseen exam - 2 hours
2 hours unseen written exam, end of module: 50%

Version: (1.06B) Updated: 02/Oct/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.