Forensic Sciences
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The opening of the judicial authority to forensic sciences in the last decade has created the context for the application of the lesser known disciplines within criminalistics, such as anthropology, botany and geology to crime scenarios. This course therefore has the goal of introducing students to a cautious application of natural sciences to the realm of justice and human rights.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student should have acquired the cognitive tools for correctly evaluating the difficulties and peculiarities of the application of natural sciences to the more frequent forensic scenarios (maltreatment, homicide, etc); furthermore he/she will acquire basic notions related to the methods applied and to the main disciplines more frequently involved
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course will be divided in three parts:
Part I: Natural sciences and their application to the forensic context
- Civil and criminal law
- Internaional humanitarian and human rights law
- Scientific evidence and the Daubert rules
- Expertises
- Scene of crime examination/the autopsy/the Laboratories/testifying in Court
Part II Natural sciences: the fundamentals of:
- Anthropology (pathology)
- Botany
- Palynology
- Entomology
- Geopedology
- Textiles and Fabrics
- Archaeology
- Zoology
- Toxicology
- Genetics
Parte III practical applications
- Real cases
- Simulation of forensic scenarios
- Practicals in the autopsy room, in the lab and in the field
Part I: Natural sciences and their application to the forensic context
- Civil and criminal law
- Internaional humanitarian and human rights law
- Scientific evidence and the Daubert rules
- Expertises
- Scene of crime examination/the autopsy/the Laboratories/testifying in Court
Part II Natural sciences: the fundamentals of:
- Anthropology (pathology)
- Botany
- Palynology
- Entomology
- Geopedology
- Textiles and Fabrics
- Archaeology
- Zoology
- Toxicology
- Genetics
Parte III practical applications
- Real cases
- Simulation of forensic scenarios
- Practicals in the autopsy room, in the lab and in the field
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of Life and Earth Sciences
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures
Practicals
Practicals
Teaching Resources
Selected readings
Cattaneo C, Maldarella M 2007 Crimini e Farfalle, Cortina ed.
Intini & Picozzi, Trattato di Scienze Forensi, UTET 2010
Cattaneo C, Maldarella M 2007 Crimini e Farfalle, Cortina ed.
Intini & Picozzi, Trattato di Scienze Forensi, UTET 2010
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination is in the oral form
MED/43 - FORENSIC MEDICINE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Caccianiga Marco Stefano, Cattaneo Cristina
Shifts:
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday-Friday on appointment
2 floor building C Department of Biosciences