00701 - Forensic Medicine

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will learn basis on disciplines of the forensic sciences as forensic pathology, forensic genetics, forensic toxicology. Describe the basic methodology used by the forensic investigators for determining the cause of death, to reconstruct a DNA profile from the biological stain and to aid medical or legal examination of death, poisoning, and drug abuse. Interpret the results of a kinship analysis and of DNA mixed profiles, understand the meaning of a DNA profile match and employ statistics to weight the strength of evidence. Illustrate guidelines and recommendations for personal identification analysis and kinship testing adopted by forensic laboratories and the minimum laboratory requirements.

Course contents

Introduction to forensic medicine (definition, partition, methodology), forensic sciences, the scientific evidence

Outlines of thanatology, traumatology and cause of death. Information to the judicial authority, professional secret, informed consent.

Crime scene investigation, Blood Stain Pattern analysis (BPA), body fluids identification in forensic

Forensic genetics

Forensic toxicology

DNA profiling in personal identification and kinship testing, DNA phenotyping

Lineage markers in forensic genetics

Pharmacogenetics

Interpretation of genetic data and statistical evaluation in forensic genetics, DNA database

Guidelines, recommendations and laboratory certifications for forensic genetics analysis

Readings/Bibliography

- MEDICINA LEGALE - A. Cicognani, M. Fallani, S. Pelotti- Società editrice Esculapio

- INTRODUZIONE ALLA GENETICA FORENSE- A. Tagliabracci, F. Alessandrini, L. Mazzarini, V. Onofri, N. Onori, C. Turchi- Springer Biomed

- Advanced Topics in FORENSIC DNA TYPING: METHODOLOGY/INTERPRETATION- J. M. Butler - Elsevier

- Original research articles on Pubmed

- Guidelines and recommendation GeFI, ENFSI, ISFG

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons and laboratory

Example of real caseworks

Assessment methods

Written test with multiple choice quiz and an open question. The test consists of 30 questions on the different topics covered during the lessons. The final mark 30 is reached with the exact answer to all the 30 questions and laude is reserved to those who provide a complete and exhaustive answer to the open question.

The time available to the student for the written test is 45 minutes. During the test are borbidden the use of supports such as: textbooks, notes, computer media.

The test is passed with a minimum score of 18/30.

Students may request the vision of their test and the wrong answers will be shown and discussed.

Teaching tools

Slides and supplementary materials will be provided

Discussion of some caseworks and statistical evaluation using the HID softwares

Original research articles

Office hours

See the website of Carla Bini