Teaching Methodologies
The theoretical classes are aimed at the detailed presentation of the program contents. An expository-active
methodology is used, appealing the direct intervention of the students, favouring openly an abundant iconography
instead of the detriment of a theoretical-descriptive teaching.
Learning Results
The student must acquire knowledge of:
• Relevance, indications, objectives and limitations of genetics and toxicology in the forensic context.
• Selection, preparation and preservation of biological samples for toxicological and genetic analysis.
• Main analytical procedures in genetics and forensic toxicology.
• Main toxic substances relevant in the forensic context and its toxicity characteristics.
The student must acquire skills of:
• Understand the importance of analytical examinations in the context of applied forensic sciences (genetics and
toxicology), interpreting and characterizing the different technical and scientific procedures.
The student must acquire competences of:
• Planning the identification, harvest and handling of biological samples in the forensic context.
• Develop the ability to retain and in the future expand their knowledge in the field of applied forensic sciences.
Program
Forensic Genetics:
Skills of genetics and forensic biology. Basic procedures. The chain of custody.
Study methods and laboratory analysis.
DNA Polymorphisms. Autosomal markers, Y chromosome and X chromosome.
DNA Amplification. Analysis of mixtures. LCN.
Mitochondrial DNA. DNA sequencing.
Statistical valuation of proof.
Databases of DNA profiles.
Forensic Toxicology:
Introduction to toxicology.
Toxicokinetics.
Biological samples and analytical instrumentation for the detection of toxics of forensic interest.
Toxicity of metals and metalloids: arsenic, mercury and lead.
Toxicity of solvents and fumes: ethanol and carbon monoxide.
Toxicity of pesticides: organochloride, organophosphates, herbicides, pyrethroids and rodenticides
Toxicity of pharmaceuticals: hypnotic and sedatives, antidepressants, neuroleptics, analgesics.
Toxicity of abuse drugs: cocaine and derivatives, opiates, cannabinoids and other hallucinogenic drugs,
amphetamines and other design drugs.
Internship(s)
NAO
Bibliography
Butler J (2009) Fundamentals of Forensic DNA Typing. Academic Press. USA
– Butler J (2012) Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing: Methodology. Academic Press. USA
– Goodwin W, Linacre A, Hadi S (2007) An introduction to Forensic Genetics. Wiley
– Klaassen C.D., Amdur M.O., Doull J. Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons. 6ª Ed., New
York, McGraw-Hill, 2001.
– Clarke, E.G.C. Clarke’s Isolation and Identification of drugs. 3ª Ed., London, Pharmaceutical Press, 2004.
– Hayes A.W. Principles and methods of toxicology. 5ª Ed., Philadelphia, CRC Press, 2007.