Forensic Medicine (Part-time) module (FM50017)

Forensic medicine applies medical science to the resolution of legal questions, and this module provides a thorough grounding in its core areas. Starting with the classification and medico-legal significance of different wound types, you will progress through the post-mortem changes that help establish time of death, the pathological mechanisms behind a range of deaths from natural and unnatural causes, and the investigation and autopsy process.

Topics include asphyxial deaths, deaths involving water and fire, firearms injuries, child abuse, rape, and criminal personality profiling in the context of sexual homicide. Particular attention is paid to the medico-legal aspects of alcohol, including its absorption and metabolism, its effects on human performance, and the back-calculation methods used in drink-driving cases. Drug abuse and the definition of death in relation to organ transplantation are also covered.

The module is strongly practical in orientation. It is taught through 17 weekly two-hour online sessions and assessed through written assignments and an online practical examination, all based on real or simulated case material.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• The classification of wounds and their medico-legal significance, including wound patterns and their interpretation.
• Post-mortem changes relevant to establishing time of death, and the pathological mechanisms behind common causes of death.
• How medico-legal death investigations are conducted, including the purpose and process of an autopsy.
• The medico-legal aspects of alcohol and drug abuse
• The medical basis of legal issues relating to sexual offences, asphyxia, child abuse, and fire and firearms injuries.

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Evaluate the forensic aspects of different types of injuries and injury patterns.
• Critically interpret a medico-legal report on a person dying of injury or a surviving victim of an alleged assault or sexual offence.
• Demonstrate understanding of the medical basis of legal issues related to sexual offences, alcohol and drug abuse, asphyxia and child abuse.
• Assess the pathological basis and mechanism of death from common natural and unnatural causes.
• Critically understand the principles and practice of medico-legal death investigation and disposal.

Assignments / assessments

Written assignments (66.7%)

• Two written assignments (2,000 word limit) with proper medical referencing of opinions required, with each assignment worth 33.3% of the module grade.
• Assignments are based multiple topics which will have been delivered prior to assignment submission based on real or simulated case scenarios and require critical scientific opinions, not legal analysis.

Online practical exam (33.3%)

60-minute multiple choice computer aided assessment to assess all information in semesters one and two, scheduled for the end of the module in semester two.

Teaching methods / timetable

• 14 weekly two-hour online lectures delivered via My Dundee and Microsoft Teams.
• Case-based study using real and simulated forensic scenarios.
• Self-directed learning using My Dundee resources and the University's electronic library.