Forensic Toxicology, a discipline falling within the scope of Forensic Medicine and connected with Forensic Medicine and Criminology, studies the adverse effects of toxic substances on humans, with particular reference to drugs, alcohol, poisons and doping substances . In recent years, Forensic Toxicology has seen the areas of interest grow, also thanks to technological developments and increasingly sophisticated laboratory equipment through which it is possible to find and identify, in a biological or non-biological sample taken from a corpse or a living person, traces of toxic substances. This investigation is often linked to specific needs of justice in homicide cases or in cases of suspected poisoning or intoxication.

FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY.

Tasks, aims, fields of application, perspectives and developments of the discipline; - Forensic Toxicology on cadaver and living; - Crime scene and contribution of forensic toxicology. - The professional responsibility of the Forensic Toxicologist; NARCOTIC SUBSTANCES. - Definitions, characteristics and terminological aspects; - Classification of narcotic substances; - Type of narcotic substances (opiates, cannabinoids, cocaine, amphetamines, hallucinogens, barbiturates and psychotropic drugs, synthetic analogues, volatile substances, new synthetic drugs); - The forms of addiction and the concept of addiction; - Sector legislation and regulation of narcotic substances (T.U., Presidential Decree no. 309/90); - Crime and drugs; the penalty system; - Drug research in non-biological material; - Drug research in biological living material (blood, urine, hair); - Search for drugs on a corpse; - Sexual violence and drug use; - Drug use and fitness to drive vehicles (Article 187 of the highway code); - The states of drug addiction: prevention, treatment and rehabilitation; - Drugs and work environment; the tasks at risk with particular reference to the activities of transport. ETHYL ALCOHOL. - Alcohol consumption and abuse and suitability to drive vehicles (art.186 and 186 bis, code of the road); - Breathalyzer and operating and assessment procedures; jurisprudential profiles; - The crime of road homicide (Law n. 41 of 23 March 2016); - Alcohol drunkenness and criminal conduct (Articles 91, 92, 94, 95 of the penal code); - Alcohol and safety at work; the tasks at risk with particular reference to the activities of transport. POISON AND POISONING. - History of poisons and crimes related to poisoning; - The concept of poison; - Crimes committed with the use of poison and related legal issues; - The classification of poisons and the chemical-toxicological analysis; - Death by poisoning; the criteria in the diagnosis of poisoning; - The collection and conservation of cadaver material; the chemical-toxicological investigation; - Search for xenobiotics on a corpse; - Carbon monoxide. DOPING IN SPORT. - Doping as a crime and as a violation of sports ethics; - Definitions and normative references; - The sports system; - The anti-doping law; - The classes of doping substances; - Laboratory investigations; - Criminal provisions and jurisprudence.

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Educational objectives

Forensic Toxicology studies the adverse effects of toxic substances on humans, with particular reference to drugs, alcohol, poisons and doping substances. In recent years, the discipline has seen the sectors of interest grow, also thanks to technological developments and increasingly sophisticated laboratory equipment through which it is possible to find and identify traces of toxic substances in a biological or non-biological sample taken from a corpse or from living. Such investigations are often linked to specific needs of justice in homicide cases or in cases of suspected poisoning or intoxication. The course therefore aims to acquire legal and technical-scientific knowledge relating to one of the branches of forensic science and aims, in particular, at the acquisition of the necessary rudiments relating to the following topics: - investigations on living and dead bodies to search for poisons, drugs or other substances; - problems related to the use of alcohol or drugs while driving vehicles or regarding imputability; - narcotic substances: type, effects and consequences determined by their use; - doping and the athlete's use of prohibited substances or methods; - forms of environmental pollution (air and water); - the risk of exposure to dangerous chemical agents in the workplace; - Food toxicology and health risks. Learning outcomes Knowledge and understanding. - knowledge of the main forensic toxicological issues related to the study of poisons, narcotic and doping substances and the abuse of alcohol or drugs in relation to public safety. Knowledge of toxicological and medico-legal approaches for the assessment of exogenous substances on a corpse and on a living person, also for the purposes of justice. - ability to distinguish the types of methodological approach in relation to the various situations related to intoxication or death due to the involvement of toxic substances.

Autonomy of judgment (making judgments). - distinguish, in cases of death or intoxication, whether it is an accidental, fortuitous or malicious event in relation to the application of specific provisions of the law, civil and criminal. - ability to simulate criminological investigations aimed at ascertaining the cause of death or intoxication linked to the involvement of toxic substances. Ability to learn (learning skills). - ability to identify the right technical approach in relation to a case of intoxication or poisoning. - ability to construct a methodological path that starts from the concrete case and arrives at the solution of the cause of death, injury or intoxication. - ability to find, also through bibliographic sources, useful material to support the alleged causal hypotheses.

Method of assessment What has been learned during the course will be evaluated through an oral test that will focus both on the theoretical aspects of the discipline and on the more strictly technical and application aspects, as well as legal forensics.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Only for attending students it will be possible to form working groups to carry out written simulations on murder cases or other crimes related to the administration of poisons, drugs or other toxic compounds. Participation in group work, with the related drafting of the chosen case, can be evaluated to test the degree of progress in learning the topics covered.

Teaching

Frontal lessons with PowerPoint support and projection of short films. During the lessons, updated handouts may be provided and in-depth material on topics of particular toxicological and criminological interest.

Attendance

Considering the many applicative aspects of the subject, the explanations of practical cases and the links with criminal and procedural penalties, attendance is strongly recommended.

Course books

For attending students:

Rino Froldi - Lezioni di Tossicologia forense - V Edizione - Giappichelli, Torino, 2011 (from page 1 to page 148)

Assessment

The assessment consists of an oral exam aimed at verifying the level of knowledge and learning of the fundamental aspects of the discipline, as well as assessing the student's ability to extricate himself on topics or cases relating to the criminological sphere, relating them and linking them to the legal one.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

The course takes place exclusively in the presence with lectures.

Attendance

Considering the many applicative aspects of the subject, the explanations of practical cases and the links with criminal and procedural penalties, attendance is strongly recommended.

Course books

Rino Froldi - Lezioni di Tossicologia forense - V Edizione - Giappichelli, Torino, 2011 (in full).

Massimiliano Zampi et al. - Guida in stato di alterazione da alcol e da sostanze stupefacenti - Giappichelli, Torino, 2021 (from page 101 to page 123).

Assessment

The assessment consists of an oral exam aimed at verifying the level of knowledge and learning of the fundamental aspects of the discipline, as well as assessing the student's ability to extricate himself on topics or cases relating to the criminological sphere, relating them and linking them to the legal one.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Non-attending students will have to integrate the preparation with:

- Massimiliano Zampi et al. - Driving in a state of alteration due to alcohol and drugs - Giappichelli, Turin, 2021 (from page 101 to page 123).

- Rino Froldi - "Lessons in forensic toxicology" - V Edition - Giappichelli, Turin, 2011 (seventh, eighth and ninth chapters).