School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
CHE-30010 Forensic Toxicology  
Co-ordinator: Dr David Thompson   Tel:34954  
Teaching Team: Mrs Patricia  Thompson, Miss Amy  Cowles, Mrs Victoria  Cartwright, Dr David  Thompson, Dr Matthew  O'Brien  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
Forensic Science Minor (Level 3)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Prerequisites
Satisfactory performance in all Level I and II modules. Registration on Level III of a degree programme in Forensic Science

Barred Combinations
None

Description

This Level III module will draw upon material delivered at Levels I and II and will develop students&© understanding of pharmacology, biochemistry, pathology and toxicology and their application in Forensic investigations. The outline content will be as follows: a review of the various analytical techniques available to the toxicologist; methodologies for detecting foreign substances in tissues and body fluids and interpretation of the data acquired; the relevant legal aspects governing the presentation of toxicological evidence in written reports and in court. Extensive use of case studies will develop the principles of toxicology and enable students to appreciate and apply toxicology both in the laboratory and in the field.
Aims
The role of forensic toxicology in the investigation of crime will be developed and reinforced. This module will exemplify the applications of biochemistry and toxicology to the purposes of the law and further develop students' understanding of the pharmacological basis of drug action. The use of precise analytical techniques to formulate informed conclusions will be illustrated and reinforced by using appropriate recent case studies.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Understand how the disciplines of biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology and toxicology can be applied to crime solving. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
Appreciate and understand the importance of tissue characterisation, autopsy and inquest. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
Be familiar with the analytical techniques most commonly used in toxicology for crime solving and have an awareness of their limitations. will be achieved by assessments: 2
Understand how relevant aspects of Civil and Criminal law relate to the presentation of evidence from toxicological investigations. will be achieved by assessments: 2
Communicate to both specialist and non-specialist audiences, in the role of an Expert Witness by expressing the interpretation of results in a manner comprehensible to the intended recipient. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
Suggest methods for detecting foreign compounds in fresh and aged body fluids and tissues and recognise the symptomology of poisoning by foreign compounds. will be achieved by assessments: 2
Illustrate principles of Forensic Toxicology with reference to a variety of industrial, environmental, agricultural and natural compounds, including drugs and alcohol in particular. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
Demonstrate skills in the critical evaluation of written scientific evidence. will be achieved by assessments: 1
Study hours
Lectures: 20 hours.
Laboratory sessions: 3 hours.
Research into appropriate cases: 30 hours.
Private study: 97 hours
Description of Module Assessment
01: Report weighted 30%
WRITTEN REPORTS
Lab based problem solving exercise/written report on forensic toxicology case study with appropriate referencing and data retrieval: 30%
02: Unseen Exam weighted 70%
UNSEEN EXAM - 2 HOURS
Two hour unseen written examination: 70%
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 02/Oct/2013

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