Forensic Science Expertise and Expert Work

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:5.00

Study Course Accepted:24.03.2022 09:59:37

Study Course Information
Course Code:		FKK_035		LQF level:		Level 7
Credit Points:		2.00		ECTS:		3.00
Branch of Science:		Basic Sciences of Medicine, including Pharmacy; Clinical Pharmacy		Target Audience:		Pharmacy
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Katrīna Sudmale
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, block A 5th Floor, Room No 502, farmkkrsu[pnkts]lv, +371 67061544
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		9	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		18
Classes (count)		7	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		14
Total Contact Hours								32
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		9	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		18
Classes (count)		7	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		14
Total Contact Hours								32
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Toxicological Chemistry and Pharmacology.
Objective:
1. To provide insight into the legal regulation and organizational aspects of the work of forensic experts. 2. To give an idea about forensic institutions in Latvia. 3. To promote the acquisition of knowledge about the types of forensic expertise, their contemporary capabilities and their significance in criminal and civil proceedings. 4. To promote understanding of the possibilities of chemical and physico-chemical analysis methods in various forensic examinations.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Insight into the history of forensic science. Forensic expert: rights, duties and responsibilities. Forensic science institutions in Latvia, their competence and forensic expertise.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	Forensic expert certification. Expert opinion.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
3	Chemical expertise (Research on narcotic and psychotropic substances; Research on alcohol).			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
4	Investigation of different types of material evidence using liquid chromatography method.			Classes		1.00	laboratory
5	Chemical expertise (Research on petroleum products and flammable liquids; Research on documentary materials; Research on colour and polymer materials and coatings; Research on glass, ceramics and articles thereof).			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
6	Investigation of different types of material evidence using thin layer chromatography.			Classes		1.00	laboratory
7	Chemical expertise (Research on filaments; Chemical research on shot trails; Chemical research on pyrotechnic articles and explosives; Research on fiber materials and animal hair).			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
8	Investigation of different types of material evidence using UV spectrometry.			Classes		1.00	laboratory
9	Soil expertise. Botanical expertise. Forensic identification marks expertise. Odological examination.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
10	Investigation of different types of material evidence using IS spectrometry.			Classes		1.00	laboratory
11	Technical expertise of documents. Handwriting expertise.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
12	Study tour to the National Forensic Science Bureau.			Classes		1.00	TM ekspertīžu centrs
13	Dactyloscopic expertise. Biological (DNA) expertise.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
14	Study tour to the National Center of Forensic Science.			Classes		1.00	TM ekspertīžu centrs
15	Trasological expertise.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
16	Study visit to the Forensic Science Department of the State Police.			Classes		1.00	other
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Insight into the history of forensic science. Forensic expert: rights, duties and responsibilities. Forensic science institutions in Latvia, their competence and forensic expertise.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	Forensic expert certification. Expert opinion.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
3	Chemical expertise (Research on narcotic and psychotropic substances; Research on alcohol).			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
4	Investigation of different types of material evidence using liquid chromatography method.			Classes		1.00	laboratory
5	Chemical expertise (Research on petroleum products and flammable liquids; Research on documentary materials; Research on colour and polymer materials and coatings; Research on glass, ceramics and articles thereof).			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
6	Investigation of different types of material evidence using thin layer chromatography.			Classes		1.00	laboratory
7	Chemical expertise (Research on filaments; Chemical research on shot trails; Chemical research on pyrotechnic articles and explosives; Research on fiber materials and animal hair).			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
8	Investigation of different types of material evidence using UV spectrometry.			Classes		1.00	laboratory
9	Soil expertise. Botanical expertise. Forensic identification marks expertise. Odological examination.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
10	Investigation of different types of material evidence using IS spectrometry.			Classes		1.00	laboratory
11	Technical expertise of documents. Handwriting expertise.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
12	Study tour to the National Forensic Science Bureau.			Classes		1.00	TM ekspertīžu centrs
13	Dactyloscopic expertise. Biological (DNA) expertise.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
14	Study tour to the National Center of Forensic Science.			Classes		1.00	TM ekspertīžu centrs
15	Trasological expertise.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
16	Study visit to the Forensic Science Department of the State Police.			Classes		1.00	other
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Individual work in the laboratory, conducting experiments, solving situations. It is recommended to fill in the study course survey, evaluating the existing course content and creating proposals for updating the course.
Assessment Criteria:
Knowledge and practical skills acquired during study tours. The final evaluation of the study course consists of: 1. Problem solving (25%). 2. Practical analysis of different types of material evidence and interpretation of results (25%). 3. Knowledge of types of forensic forensic examination, its modern capabilities and expert work (50%).
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):		Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Upon successful completion of the course, students will have acquired knowledge that will allow: • to orientate in a wide range of forensic examinations, to describe the possibilities and limitations of using each type of forensic examination; • to evaluate the research objects to be used in forensics, the applied research methods and perspectives of their development; • properly remove, pack and deliver items for various types of forensic examination by the forensic institution; • understand and interpret the analysis methods available in the literature; • to orientate in the competences of different Latvian forensic institutions (types of forensic examinations to be performed in the particular forensic institution).
Skills:		As a result of the study course students will be able to: • perform the simplest forensic chemical examinations, analyze the obtained results and, based on their evaluation, draw conclusions and draw up expert opinions; • use chromatographic and spectroscopic methods, performing analysis of different types of research objects; • assess what kind of forensic examination the object could be subjected to, properly remove it at the scene, pack it and deliver it to the examination institution; • evaluate the possibilities of forensic co-ordination of forensic examinations of different specialties for a specific object of research.
Competencies:		As a result of the course students will be able to choose the research methods to be used for a specific object, to carry out its research and forensic analysis of the research results, to present and justify their activities and judgments sufficiently and reasonably.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	A.M.Langford, J.Dean, R.Reed, J.Weyers, A.Jones. Practical Skills in Forensic Science, 2019.
2	L.Peisniece, I.Zelča, K.Liniņš, Ē.Narkevics, M.Logins. Tiesu ekspertīze un noziedzīga nodarījuma notikuma vietas apskate, Rīga, 2015.
3	S.Bell. Forensic Chemistry: Pearson. New International Edition. New Jersey, 2022.
4	S.Jickels, A.Negrusz (eds). Clarke’s Analytical Forensic Toxicology. Phasmaceutical Press, London, Chicago, 2013.
5	Ārvalstu studentiem/For international students
6	A.M.Langford, J.Dean, R.Reed, J.Weyers, A.Jones. Practical Skills in Forensic Science, 2019.
7	S.Bell. Forensic Chemistry: Pearson. New International Edition. New Jersey, 2022.
8	S.Jickels, A.Negrusz (eds). Clarke’s Analytical Forensic Toxicology. Phasmaceutical Press, London, Chicago, 2013.
Additional Reading
1	T.R.L.C. Paixao, W.K.T. Caltro, M.O.Salles. Forensic Analytical Methods (Detection Science), 2019.
2	A.Jacson. Forensic Science, 2017.
3	L.Peisniece, I.Zelča, K.Liniņš, Ē.Narkevics, M.Logins. Notikuma vietas apskates eksperta rokasgrāmata, Rīga, 2014.
4	D.Ouens. Noziegums un zinātne. 40 mīklainu noziegumu izpēte. Rīga, 2000.
5	Ārvalstu studentiem/For international students
6	T.R.L.C. Paixao, W.K.T. Caltro, M.O.Salles. Forensic Analytical Methods (Detection Science), 2019.
7	A.Jacson. Forensic Science, 2017.
Other Information Sources
1	Kriminālprocesa likums: LR likums. Latvijas Vēstnesis Nr.74, 11.05.2005.