FSC-30017 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

This Level 6 module will draw upon material delivered at Levels 4 and 5 and will develop students understanding of pharmacology, biochemistry, pathology and toxicology and their application to 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.

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

describe and explain how the disciplines of biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology and toxicology can be applied to crime solving: 1
identify and explain the analytical techniques most commonly used in toxicology for crime solving and have an awareness of their limitations: 1
explain how relevant aspects of civil and criminal law relate to the presentation of evidence from toxicological investigations: 1
suggest and justify methods for detecting foreign compounds in fresh and aged body fluids and tissues and recognise the symptomology of poisoning by foreign compounds: 1
illustrate principles of forensic toxicology with reference to a variety of industrial, environmental, agricultural and natural compounds, including drugs and alcohol, in particular: 1
critically evaluate written scientific evidence: 1
critically review the importance of tissue characterisation, autopsy and inquest: 1

Study hours

Taught Sessions: 31 hours
Research into appropriate case: 30 hours
Private study and assessment completion: 89 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment