FOR 4300 - FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY

credits: 3.0
Crosslisted/Same As: CHE 4300
CHE 4300 -FOR 4300 is a study of toxicology and analytical chemistry as it relates to the identification, analysis, and fate of drugs and toxins in a forensic setting. This is a multidisciplinary course that combines principles of toxicology, analytical chemistry, instrumental analysis to focus on the determination of presence, concentrations, and the fate of toxins and drugs in the setting of criminal investigations. Students will investigate specific topics/case studies of their interest in the form of student presentations to the course. A separate laboratory section will also be offered in which students will complete practical exercises utilizing a range of analytical techniques to qualitatively identify and quantitatively assess the presence of compounds of interest in a range of sample media. Objectives: A) Explain and identify chemical structures of drugs and toxins; B) Explain the relationship between dosage and toxicity of drugs and toxins; C) Explain the fate of drugs and toxins in living and deceased systems; D) Explain analytical methods utilized in the analysis of drugs and toxins; E) Understand the importance of sample preparation in forensic analyses; F) Identify drugs and toxins in a range of sample media; G) Consider ethical and legal aspects of toxicological analyses. Method of Instruction: A combination of lecture, small group discussion, and in-class problems. Method of Evaluation: Three Exams 45%, Problem Sets 30%, Student Presentation 10%, and Final 15%.

Prerequisite(s): CHE 1505 and CHE 3140
Co-Requisite(s): FOR 4300L