2024
Forensic Chemistry
Name: Forensic Chemistry
Code: QUI11983L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Chemistry
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Presentation
To learn more about how chemistry helps to catch criminals (or is it to help know how to commit the perfect crime?). In each practical class students solve a fictional case created for this purpose.
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Acquisition of basic concepts of forensic chemistry . The objectives and the depth of the concepts to be
taught are adaptable to students' knowledge of chemistry.
At the end of the curicular unit students should have acquired the following competencies:
1) Understand all the steps of a criminal investigation.
2) Addressing a crime scene properly.
3) Know how to select the correct methodology for a given analysis.
4) Understand the fundamental concepts of analytical techniques used in forensic chemistry.
As central competency the students should end up with the knowledge to solve puzzles related to real or
fictional cases
taught are adaptable to students' knowledge of chemistry.
At the end of the curicular unit students should have acquired the following competencies:
1) Understand all the steps of a criminal investigation.
2) Addressing a crime scene properly.
3) Know how to select the correct methodology for a given analysis.
4) Understand the fundamental concepts of analytical techniques used in forensic chemistry.
As central competency the students should end up with the knowledge to solve puzzles related to real or
fictional cases
Contents
The crime scene.
Collection and handling of evidence.
Analysis of drugs.
Analysis of traces of fuel in arson.
Analysis and processing of fingerprints.
DNA analysis.
Fiber analysis.
Analysis of firing of firearms.
Analysis of traces of paint.
Analysis of explosives.
Collection and handling of evidence.
Analysis of drugs.
Analysis of traces of fuel in arson.
Analysis and processing of fingerprints.
DNA analysis.
Fiber analysis.
Analysis of firing of firearms.
Analysis of traces of paint.
Analysis of explosives.
Teaching Methods
The Course is divided into theoretical and practical classes . In the lectures is expected to have a high level
of interaction with the students, wich makes the classes dynamic. The assessment is done through small
puzzles that will be provided for students to solve and also by performing a monograph with public
discussion on a appropriate theme. The lectures makes use of several real and fictional cases with the use
of films, images and brocasted news of the cases.
The practical classes put into practice the subjects theached in the theoretical classes.
The practical component will be evaluated by carrying out written reports of the experimental activities
of interaction with the students, wich makes the classes dynamic. The assessment is done through small
puzzles that will be provided for students to solve and also by performing a monograph with public
discussion on a appropriate theme. The lectures makes use of several real and fictional cases with the use
of films, images and brocasted news of the cases.
The practical classes put into practice the subjects theached in the theoretical classes.
The practical component will be evaluated by carrying out written reports of the experimental activities
