Cursos / 1º Ciclo / Faculty of Law :: Criminology

INTRODUÇÃO ÀS CIÊNCIAS FORENSES - 2018/2019

2º curricular year
Semestralidade: 2nd semester
ECTS: 6

Teachers

Leading Teacher: Prof. Doutora Olga Cunha
Assistant Professor: Prof. Doutora Olga Cunha

Class type and School hours

Orientação Tutorial : 1 Horas
Teórico-prática : 2 Horas

Teaching Language

Portuguese

Main Aims/Objectives

- To know the different areas that comprises the forensic sciences and its fields of application;
- To understand relation between the domains of Criminology, Law and Forensic Sciences.

Specific Aims/Objectives

- To know and understand the concept and evolution of the different areas that comprise forensic sciences;
- To know the main branches of forensic sciences;
- To know the main application fields of forensic sciences;
To know and understand the main ethical end legal implications and challenges of forensic sciences.

Skills to be acquired

- To know the main concepts implied to the forensic sciences;
- To acquire basic knowledge about the various strands of performance of different forensic sciences on what concerns its comprehensiveness, goals and skills;
- To know and apply forensic sciences’ methodologies in criminal investigation.

Teaching Procedures

Lectures
Practical classes
Tutorials

Programme

1. Forensic Sciences
1.1. Definition and object of forensic sciences.
1.2. Scope.
2. Forensic science and criminal investigation
2.1. Lofoscopy
2.1.1. Brief historical review
2.1.2. Fundamental principles of lofoscopy
2.1.3. System od crests
2.1.4. Dactiloscopic classification/types
2.1.5. Crime scene investigation
2.2. Forensic genetics and biology
2.2.1. Identification in forensic genetics and biology
2.2.2. PCR
2.2.3. Genetics’ identification
2.2.4. Laboratorial course
2.2.5. Biological traces with criminal interest
2.2.6. Proof valoration in biological criminalistics
2.3. Forensic pathology and legal autopsy
2.3.1. Legal and clinical autopsy
2.3.2. Crime scene analysis
2.3.3. Autopsy thecnique
2.3.4. Post-mortem phenomena and its interpretation
2.3.5. Complementary diagnostic tools
2.3.6. Legal autopsy Report
2.4. Forensic toxicology)
2.4.1. Definition
2.4.2. Classification of intoxications
2.4.3. Effects of toxics
2.4.4. Forensic toxicologist functions
2.4.5. Informations to toxicological exams
2.4.6. Analytical sequence
2.4.7. Results interpretation
2.5. Forensic Anthropology
2.5.1. Detetion and recuperation
2.5.2. Identification
2.5.3. Cause of death and medical-legal etiology of the cause of death
2.5.4. Issues related to living individuals
2.6. Forensic Ballistic
2.6.1. Elementary mechanics of a firearm
2.6.2. Internal and external ballistic
2.6.3. Firearm classification
2.6.4. Firearm typology
2.7. Document Analysis
2.7.1. Writing marks
2.7.2. Erasures
2.7.3. Addictions
2.7.4. Impressions and photocopies
2.7.5. Absolute and relative dating
2.8. Ethical-juridical chalenges in forensic sciences
2.8.1. Fingerprint databases
2.8.2. Genetic databases

Evaluation Type

2 shot exames
1 practical essay
1 final exam

Teaching Resources

Audiovisual media
Clinical cases
Practical exercises

Sustainability Objectives

Keywords

Forensic Sciences
Criminal investigation
Forensic genetics
Forensic Biology
Ballistic
Forensic Pathology
Lofoscopy
Forensic autopsy

Main Bibliography

Complementary Bibliography