1 year full time

SHE Level M (SCQF level 11) 180 SCQF credits

This course guide is intended to provide an introduction to this course. In it you will find the aims and objectives of the course, a detailed syllabus, information on when and where to meet, details of how your performance in the course will be assessed and the tutorials and other assignments which form part of the course.

• Information for prospective students
• Staff 
• Aims and Learning Outcomes
• Teaching Arrangements
• Syllabus
• Recommended Texts
• Assessment
• Important Student Information
• Difficulties & Feedback
• SCQF
• Appendix 1: Forensic Toxicology Module
• Appendix 2: Forensic Medicine Module
• Appendix 3: Forensic Science Module
• Appendix 4: Research Dissertation

INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

• Introduction to the course
• Departmental facilities
• Inquiries & applications
• Students with disabilities
• Course fees

Introduction to the course

The course is full time and begins in mid-September, at the start of the University academic year. (The precise dates of the University academic year can be found on the University website). Students should plan on attending at the University during Freshers' Week, which is the week immediately before the start of the first semester. The course follows the usual University semester dates with a Christmas vacation of four weeks and an Easter vacation of three weeks.

Teaching is through lectures, small group seminars, in which the students are required to make Powerpoint presentations, and case-based teaching on medico-legal autopsy cases. All of the teaching materials, including the course and module guides, the lecture schedules, the lecture notes and assignments are provided on a computer-based system (Blackboard). Each student has personal desk space with computer, printer and internet access at all hours, seven days a week. There is also access to the Centre library at all hours, seven days a week.

Departmental facilities

The Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine at the University of Dundee has excellent facilities for post-graduate studies. The Centre has its own histopathology and toxicology laboratories and the mortuary is a newly built modern facility.

The Centre library holds complete sets of all English-language forensic medicine and science journals and an extensive collection of forensic medicine and science textbooks. The Centre library is open to students at all hours, seven days a week but journals and books may not be removed from the library. The main University library is 100 metres from the School of Law library 200 metres away. The medical school library is located on the Ninewells hospital site about 3 km from the main campus.

Inquiries & applications

Informal inquiries should be addressed to the Programme Director  Dr. Peter Maskell p.d.maskell@dundee.ac.uk

You can apply for the course via the Dundee University website

For entry into the course students must meet the University standard IELTS or equivalent scores as a demonstration of competence in the english language. All of the assessments used in the course require a high degree of competence in written english. Consequently, a student with a low written english score may only be accepted onto the course conditional upon taking a University english course during the August immediately preceding the September entry date.

Students with disabilities

The Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine welcomes applications from disabled students and seeks to make their programmes and modules as inclusive as possible. Specific adjustments may also be possible in order to better meet individual student needs. All disabled students are therefore encouraged to contact Dr. Maskell and the University disability services Department disability@dundee.ac.uk in confidence in order to discuss their individual support requirements. Further information for disabled students may be found on the University disability services pages on the University web-site.

Course fees

The course fees are determined by the University and the precise fee for any particular year can be found on the University website. As a general guide the course fee is in the order of £10,000. No other fees are payable. The Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine does not offer scholarships for this course, nor discount the course fee. Half of the course fee should be paid on matriculation in September, with the remaining half payable within 2 months at the latest. Prospective students are advised that they should not enter the course unless they have the necessary funds for the tuition fees and their living expenses.

STAFF

1. Prof. Derrick Pounder - Professor of Forensic Medicine
2. Dr. Peter Maskell - Lecturer in Forensic Toxicology (Programme Director)
3. Dr. Giorgia De Paoli - Lecturer in Forensic Toxicology

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

This one-year taught Masters course focuses on the forensic toxicology of death investigations. The philosophy of the programme is to provide post-graduate students with core knowledge, experience and intellectual skills in forensic toxicology, with expertise founded in current scientific knowledge and devoid of bias.

By the end of the programme students should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding:

1. A critical understanding and knowledge of the science of forensic toxicology (with specific reference to death investigations).
2. A critical awareness of current issues in forensic toxicology (with specific reference to death investigations).
3. Have an understanding of the principles and practice of physical evidence collection and preservation.
4. Have a critical understanding of the principles underpinning the various classes and individualising tests performed by the laboratory, for each type of physical evidence.

Skills:

1. Demonstrate competence in operating a range of modern analytical instruments (HPLC-DAD, LC-MS-MS, GC-MS, CO oximeter) and be conversant with the use of related computer software.
2. The ability to communicate with laypeople, peers and more senior specialists orally and in writing.
3. The ability to use a wide range of software to support and enhance the above.
4. The ability to retrieve, critically review published literature and produce an accurate and balance synthesis.
5. The ability to take responsibility for own work and to exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in a learning environment.

TEACHING ARRANGEMENTS

Classroom delivery will take the form of lectures and seminars extending over the first and second semesters. The majority of sessions are accompanied by substantial lecture notes, most of which are provided through the Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment. Students unable to attend a specific session should check the Blackboard VLE for lecture notes. 

Forensic Toxicology Semiars: Seminars are currently on Tuesday mornings 10am - 12noon.

Forensic Science Seminars:  Seminars are currently on Friday mornings 10am - 12noon. 

Forensic Medicine Lectures: Lectures are currently on thursday afternoons. 

Students should note that the lecturers practice forensic medicine/toxicology and may be called away at short notice to fulfil their service obligations to procurators fiscal and the courts. Consequently sessions may be cancelled at short notice. NOTICE OF CANCELLATION WILL BE MADE ON BLACKBOARD AND DISPLAYED ON THE DOOR OF THE CLASSROOM. Cancellation of sessions will necessitate re-arrangement of the schedule THESE ARRANGEMENTS PLACE UPON STUDENTS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO INFORM THEMSELVES OF CHANGES IN THE TEACHING SCHEDULE

Attendance and participation: Attendance at every session (subject to illness or other good cause) is required if a student is to meet the standards of attendance and participation. If a student fails to attend a session absence will be noted on the student record and so be a consideration at any stage where decisions about progress and future are being made and when references are being prepared. A student may be required to do additional work to compensate for absence (whatever the reason for the absence) and to demonstrate that there has been coverage of the materials and skills which that session was designed to address. Such work must be completed. If a student has good reason for missing a class, eg illness, the student can self-certify absence for up to 5 days and should also inform the module organiser so that this can be noted. If an illness results in absence for more than 5 days, students must go to their doctor for confirmation of the illness and obtain a medical certificate signed by the GP. Please note, however, that self-certification of illness is not permitted in relation to late submission of assessments.

Student supervision: Students will be supported by an educational facilitator from the module team.

Online learning environment:Online discussion boards will be available for students to collaborate their learning through discussion, sharing information and working together to problem solve. This latter learning facility is essential while students are undertaking work based learning elements of the module and enables continuing contact between staff and students between classroom sessions. Discussion boards are monitored by the module team to ensure any student learning queries can be addressed.

SYLLABUS

The MFT course comprises four modules. There are three compulsory taught modules, forensic toxicology, forensic medicine and the other in forensic science. The fourth module which makes up the course is a small research project. For all modules Students will find clear information regarding the scheduling of all assessments, including submission dates for coursework within the module guide. Feedback is provided to students on all assessed work and is scheduled into the seminar series (see Appendix ). Students may request additional individual feedback from the module lecturer at any time by contacting the lecturer via email through Blackboard.

The aim of the forensic toxicology module (60 credit points) is to provide a criticial understanding of the science and practice of forensic toxicology, with specific reference to death investigations. More detailed information about the module is set out in appendix 1. The forensic toxicology course is delivered through both lectures and seminars. In the seminars the students will be required to make presentations which will form the basis of class discussions. Presentations are assessed in relation to content, focus and style. Seminar presentations and student participation in the seminars count for 40% of the final mark for the forensic science module. Each seminar is of two hours and there are 12 seminars in all. Two assignments and a computer aided assessment on chemical calculations will make up the remaining 60% of the module mark.

The overall aim of the forensic medicine module (30 credit points) is to provide an integrated working knowledge of the main subject areas within forensic medicine. The more detailed learning outcomes of the module and the listing of lecture topics are set out in Appendix 2. The forensic medicine module is delivered through lectures, some of which are discussion-based requiring student participation. The lecture material is illustrated with case examples. Each lecture is of two hours and there are 15 lectures in all. In addition there is case-based one-to-one teaching in the mortuary involving external examination of deceased and post mortem dissections. Students are required to complete two written essay type assessments which require the development of medico-legal opinions in fictionalised cases. There is available on Blackboard a detailed module guide for the forensic medicine taught module together with the lecture schedule, lecture notes, teaching notes on the medico-legal autopsy and the two assignments and examples of medico-legal opinions.

The overall aim of the forensic science module (30 credit points) is to develop an understanding of applications of forensic science related to the practice of forensic medicine. The more detailed learning outcomes of the module and the listing of seminar topics are set out in Appendix 3. The forensic science module is delivered through small group seminars in which students are required to make Powerpoint presentations on allocated topics detailed in the module guide. These presentations form the basis of class discussions. Presentations are assessed in relation to content, focus and style. Seminar presentations and student participation in the seminars count for 50% of the final mark for the forensic science module. Each seminar is of two hours and there are 10 seminars in all. Teaching is enhanced using computer-based fictional case scenarios and internet-linked material for individual study. There is available on Blackboard a detailed module guide for the forensic science taught module together with the seminar schedule, a listing of relevant references, student seminar tasks, example Powerpoint presentations and advice on how to prepare such a presentation, fictional case scenarios and internet links to sites with relevant teaching material. Assessment is by course work with seminar presentations and participation in the seminar counting for 50% of the final mark. There are two written essay type assignments each counting for a further 25% of the module final mark. .

The fourth module is a short research project (60 credit points). The final module is a short research project that takes place over the summer. The selection of the project is agreed between the course organiser and the individual student. The selection of the subject matter takes into account current issues in forensic toxicology, the interests of the student, and any particular toxicological issues specific to the area of the world in which the student intends to practice. The research project will be assessed on the production and presentation of a literature review in the chosen project (20%), as well as the preparation of a paper suitable for publication based on the project findings (60%) and a the preparation of a poster suitable for presentation at an appropriate scientific conference (20%).

RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS AND JOURNALS

TEXTBOOKS

1. Principles of Forensic Toxicology, edited by B. Levine, AACC Press, 3^rd Edition, 2010.
2. Clarke’s Analytical Forensic Toxicology, edited by S. Jickells and A. Negrusz, Pharmaceutical Press, 2008
3. Drug Abuse Handbook, edited by S.B. Karch, CRC Press, 2nd Edition 2007
4. Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man, R.C. Baselt, Biomedical Publications, 2004.
5. Casarett & Doulls Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons, edited by C. D. Klaassen, McGraw-Hill, 7^th Edition, 2009.
6. Goodman and Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, edited by L.S. Goodman, McGraw-Hill, 11^th Edition, 2006.
7. Simpson’s Forensic Medicine by R. Shephard, Edward Arnold 12^th Edition, 2003.
8. Introduction to Forensic Sciences, by W.G. Eckert, CRC Press 2nd Edition
9. Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, by R. Saferstein, Prentice Hall 9^th Edition, 2006.

JOURNALS

1. Journal of Analytical Toxicology
2. Journal of Forensic Sciences
3. Forensic Science International
4. Science and Justice

ASSESSMENT

The individual coursework assignments provide formative assessment but also contribute towards a summative statement of achievement. Formative assessment is designed to provide students with feedback on progress and inform development. Summative assessment provides a measure of achievement or failure made in respect of a student's performance in relation to the intended learning outcomes of the programme. The intended learning outcomes for the course as a whole are set out above and for the individual modules are set out as appendices to this document (see Appendices1-4). Information on the types and number of assignments is given in the section on the syllabus above. Students will find clear information regarding the scheduling of all assessments, including submission dates for coursework within the individual module guides. This information is provided at the start of the programme to enable students to plan and prepare effectively. Feedback is provided to students on all assessed work and is scheduled into the lecture and seminar series in forensic medicine and forensic science. Feedback on literature review and research projects is provided orally to students on an individual basis within 2 weeks of submission of any written work. This feedback is intended to promote learning and facilitate improvement. Students may request additional individual feedback from any of the module lecturers at any time by contacting them via email through Blackboard.

Assessment details are given in the individual module guides and have been outlined above. If, for whatever reason, you do not complete the assignment(s) for a module you will be deemed to have a nil mark for that element of the module though the circumstances of your non-completion will be considered by the board of examiners.

The University Alpha-Numeric Reporting Scale and Aggregation Scale (see below) is used throughout the module for all assignments. A pass is awarded to any student achieving an average mark of D3 = 10 (Satisfactory) in the various elements. Consequently it is possible for a student to pass the module without obtaining a pass mark in all individual elements, so long as the aggregate mark allows for a pass. Students who fail to submit an assignment will receive no mark for that element of the assessment though the circumstances of your non-completion will be considered by the board of examiners. With respect to the written assignments, the attention of students is drawn to the University policy on plagiarism. Plagiarism is not acceptable, and may result in a student failing to achieve any marks for that work as well as activation of the University disciplinary procedures.

IMPORTANT STUDENT INFORMATION

All students undertaking any module offered by the Centre for Forensic & Legal Medicine must read and be familiar with the following important regulations and requirements detailed on the Important Student Information page of the CFLM website:

University Policy on Academic Dishonesty
University Senatus Academicus Regulations on Plagiarism & Academic Dishonesty
Submission of Assignments
Late Submission of Assignments
Marking of Coursework
The University Standardised Alpha-Numeric (15 point) Marking Scheme
Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine Performance Descriptors  

DIFFICULTIES AND FEEDBACK

If you have any difficulties with the course there are a number of ways in which you can get help. If you are having problems with understanding material you should be able to get help at tutorials or seminars or you could approach the lecturer or tutor dealing with that part of the course. Questions about the organisation of the course or the examining arrangements should be taken up with the course organiser.

Students will meet regularly with the course organiser. These meetings will provide a regular opportunity for students, as a group or individually, to raise problems and matters of concern as well as to discuss the progress of literature reviews and research projects. Students should feel free to raise urgent problems with the course organiser, or their supervisor, immediately they arise rather than waiting for regular meetings.

Comments about the course can also be made through your student representative on the Faculty Post-graduate Committee. For each of the three taught modules, and for the course as a whole, students will be asked to complete anonymous feedback questionnaires which are used to improve and develop the course. The information obtained will be studied by the course staff and the Post-graduate Committee.

SCQF

Information on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) can be found here (http://www.scqf.org.uk/home/home.aspx). The Level Descriptors are contained in the SCQF Handbook, available as a PDF download.

APPENDIX 1: FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY MODULE

Intended learning outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

• A critical understanding of the requirements of continuity of evidence
• Understand the function and practice of quality assurance
• Have an understanding of the principles and practice of physical evidence collection, preservation and handling with relation to forensic toxicology
• Compare and contrast the various drug separation (HPLC, GC and LC) and detection techniques (DAD, MS, MS-MS) and explain the scientific principles underlying the technique.
• Demonstrate and understanding of the various analytical approaches to the detection and quantitation of drugs and metabolites in biological fluids and tissues
• Understand the absorption, distribution and metabolism of xenobiotics
• The use and abuse of substances used both as medicines and poisons
• The epidemiology of poisoning and its medical definition and trends

Skills

• Write comprehensive, comprehensible, rational and impartial toxicology reports.
• Interpret analytical results in a meaningful, structured manner in the context of casework
• Describe and demonstrate adherence to safe working procedures

Seminar topics:

1. Introduction to forensic toxicology
2. Toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics
3. Post-mortem drug redistribution
4. Drugs of Abuse
5. Other substances in forensic toxicology
6. Chain of evidence and post-mortem samples
7. Hair analysis
8. Drug Identification and quantitation in post-mortem Toxicology I
9. Drug Identification and quantitation in post-mortem Toxicology II
10. Quality control and method development
11. Toxicology report preparation and presentation
12. Assignment feedback session

APPENDIX 2: FORENSIC MEDICINE MODULE

Intended learning outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding:

• A detailed and critical knowledge and understanding of the science and art of forensic medicine
• A critical awareness of current issues in forensic medicine

Skills:

• The ability to apply their knowledge to accurately observe and document medico-legal findings
• The ability to interpret forensic medical evidence with objectivity and balance
• The ability to communicate with peers and more senior specialists orally and in writing
• The ability to concisely and cogently critique medico-legal opinions based upon current medical literature

Lecture topics:

1. Introduction, Wounds 1
2. Wounds 2
3. Post Mortem Changes and Time of Death
4. Gunshot Wounds
5. Alcohol and Drugs
6. Assignment 1 Discussion
7. Death and Related Matters: Certification, Disposal & Organ Transplantation
8. Death Investigation
9. Assignment 2 Discussion
10. Bodies recovered from Fire and Water
11. Asphyxia
12. Personality Profiling of Assailants
13. Sexual Offences and Child Abuse
14. Assignment 3 Discussion
15. Assignment 4 Discussion

APPENDIX 3: FORENSIC SCIENCE MODULE

Intended learning outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Have an understanding of the principles and practice of physical evidence collection and preservation
• Have a critical understanding of the principles underpinning the various class and individualising tests performed by the laboratory, for each type of physical evidence

Skills:

• The ability to retrieve, critically review published literature and produce an accurate and balanced synthesis
• The ability to communicate with peers and more senior specialists orally and in writing
• The ability to use a wide range of software to support and enhance the above
• The ability to take responsibility for own work and to exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in a learning environment

Seminar topics:

1. Laboratory Instruments and Techniques in Forensic Science
2. Physical Match and Fingerprints
3. Fingerprints
4. Fibres & Hairs
5. Blood spatter, Serology & DNA
6. Drugs and Document Examination
7. Firearms
8. Paint and Road Traffic Accidents
9. Statistical Analysis

APPENDIX 4: FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY RESEARCH PROJECT

Intended learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should have:

• Knowledge of safety procedures as they apply within a scientific laboratory
• An attitude which values honesty, frankness, and integrity in scientific research.
• The ability to plan and execute a significant project of research or investigation
• The ability to retrieve, critically review published literature and produce an accurate and balanced synthesis
• The ability to take responsibility for own work and to exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in a project