Course Description

Over the past 20 years, intense news coverage of criminal investigations and prosecutions involving a great deal of forensic evidence has certainly raised the profile of forensic science in the mind of the general public. This course covers the practical and theoretical aspects to forensic toxicology, basics of forensic medicine, the study of drugs, and their implications in a forensic setting when toxicity sets in. Case studies are reviewed where drug use may become a forensic matter. Students are introduced to the specific field of postmortem toxicology, Effect of Post mortem distribution (PMR) on drugs and poisons and the method of processing the samples for quantitative or qualitative analysis. This course will aid in the development the critical thinking skills, as well as problem solving skills and provide students with the knowledge of the applied toxicology principles in forensic setting

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will

1. Be able to demonstrate knowledge of the toxicokinetics (ADME) of the various poisons and drugs in the human body

2. Be able to critically evaluate the effect of post mortem changes on the drug distribution in body

3. Understand the professional obligations of being involved in Forensic Toxicology.