Forensic Chemical Analysis is taught in the first quarter of the 4th year of the Degree in Pharmacy. This is an optional four-month subject that consists of a total of 6 ECTS credits. To properly understand the contents of this subject, it is recommended that the student has already passed the Analytical Chemistry subject of the 2nd year of the Degree in Pharmacy. Likewise, it is also recommendable having acquired previous knowledge in statistics on the subject Mathematics and Statistics, in analytical instrumental techniques on the subject Instrumental Techniques as well as knowledge of pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism and excretion, on the subject Pharmacology I.

Subject-specific competences:

A1-. To properly use the basic terminology in Forensic Chemical Analysis.

A2-. To know the procedures involved in the chain of custody of samples

A3-. To know the analytical techniques commonly used in crime laboratories.

A4-. To select, suggest and evaluate instrumental analysis techniques to solve specific problems within the forensic field.

A5-. To suggest and develop the different stages concerning the general analysis process focused on a certain analytical problem. Application to the resolution of practical cases of forensic interest.

A6-. To select the most appropriate separation technique to improve the sensitivity and selectivity of the analytical measurement, achieving unequivocal identification of analytes of forensic interest.

A7-. To know the principles and procedures necessary for sampling and sample preparation focusing on the analytes to be determined, as well as the features of the matrix where they are present.

A8-. To perform the analysis of forensic samples and to interpret obtained data.

A9-. To search for bibliographic references in databases, scientific journals and books, and interpret obtained information to solve different practical cases related to Forensic Chemical Analysis.



Specific and transversal competences of the degree worked on in the subject:

1-. To do hygienic-sanitary analyses, especially those related to food and the environment.

2-. To design, apply and evaluate reagents, methods and clinical analytical techniques, knowing the fundamentals of clinical analyses and the features and contents of laboratory diagnostic reports.

3-. To identify, design, obtain, analyse, control and produce drugs and medicines, as well as other products and raw materials of health interest for human or veterinary use.

4-. To develop communication and information skills, both oral and written, to deal with patients and users of the centre where you carry out your professional activity. To promote work and collaboration skills in multidisciplinary teams and those related to other health professionals.

5-. Recognize one's own limitations and the need to maintain and update professional competence, paying special importance to self-learning of new knowledge based on available scientific evidence.

6-. To know how to apply the scientific method and to acquire skills in the management of legislation, sources of information, bibliography, development of protocols and other aspects that are considered necessary for the design and critical evaluation of preclinical and clinical trials.



Learning outcomes:

R1. To develop a laboratory protocol that encompasses, in an orderly manner and using correct scientific language, each of the stages of the general analysis process applied to the practical cases worked on during the classroom practice sessions.

R2. To detail how chromatographic instruments coupled to different detection systems work, as well as the analytical measurement process.

R3. To select the most appropriate sample preparation process for each type of specimen to work with.

R4. To do chemical analyses of forensic samples in the laboratory, interpreting obtained results.

R5. To solve correctly numerical exercises related to the calculation of analyte(s) concentration in different matrices using the most proper quantification method.

R6. To write a detailed forensic report for each practical case based on experimental data acquired during the laboratory practice sessions.

Topic 1. CHEMICAL ANALYSIS APPLIED TO FORENSIC SCIENCE.

General considerations. Fields of application. Legal implications.



Topic 2. GENERAL METHODOLOGY IN FORENSIC INVESTIGATION.

Substances of analytical-forensic interest: classification. Importance of the initial diagnosis. The specific problem of collecting the sample: The Chain of Custody.



Topic 3. ADVANCED ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES IN CURRENT FORENSIC SCIENCE.

Classification. Selection of analytical instrumentation: parameters of effectiveness, specialisation and cost. Jurisprudence in instrumental analysis. Reliability of analytical methods and techniques. Safety and control of the analytical methods used. Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). Accreditation of analytical-forensic laboratories. The importance of Reference Standards. Interlaboratory Studies.



Topic 4. DOPING IN SPORTS

Introduction. Definitions. Doping substances, classification. Chain of custody in doping. Matrices under analysis. Extraction of the analytes from different matrices. Analysis techniques: Mass Spectrometry.



Topic 5. DRUGS OF ABUSE

Description. Classifications. Alcohol in blood and breath. Specificities of the analysis of the most common drugs of abuse. Problems in extraction procedures. Persistence in hair fibres. Diagnostic kits.



Topic 6. ANALYSIS OF EXPLOSIVES

Chemistry of detonating substances. Classifications. Main techniques for detecting explosive residues after detonation: thermal energy analysis, HPLC/MS, HPLC/EC, GC/TEA, GC/ECD, GC/MS, GC/IR, MS-MS, ion mobility spectroscopy, X-ray techniques, Biosensors. Techniques for the detection of hidden explosives. Examples.



Topic 7. FIRE DEBRIS ANALYSIS

Study of fire. Types of fires. Classification of accelerants. Collecting and preserving the sample. Main analysis techniques based on gas chromatography: Py/GC, GC/MS. Rapid sample introduction systems: static and dynamic headspace, purge and trap system, thermal desorption. IR spectroscopy. Photoionisation sensor devices. Examples.



Topic 8. ANALYSIS OF GUNSHOT RESIDUES OF FIREARMS

Legal importance of GSR analysis. Types of ammunition. The chemistry of the shot. ENFSI definitions of GSR. Consistent and characteristic particles. GSR determination techniques. Bona Fide Technique: SEM-EDX. Other methodologies: LA-ICP-MS.



Topic 9. QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS.

Introduction to the knowledge of paper composition. Composition of the inks. Use of thin layer chromatography. Other techniques. Dating, origin and authentication of documents.



Topic 10. ART FORGERY

Painting forgery: new fraud detection techniques. Applications of scanning electron microscopy and surface techniques for materials analysis: Raman spectroscopy examples



Topic 11. ENVIRONMENTAL FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY.

Main environmental toxicants. Major historical episodes of environmental pollution: Minamata. Bhopal, Chernobyl, Aznalcóllar. Pesticide analysis. Analysis and speciation of mercury and arsenic. VOCs, dioxins and furans. Heavy metals and radionucleides.



LABORATORY AND CLASSROOM PRACTICES.



Case 1. Determination of typical and atypical neuroleptics in oral fluid by liquid chromatography with an online coupled diode array detector (DAD) and a fluorescence detector (FD).



Case 2. Determination of organophosphorus pesticides in urine samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The main objective that pursues the subject Forensic Chemical Analysis is the theoretical and practical resolution of analytical problems related to the forensic field. To do this, students must become familiar with aspects related to the legal implications of chemical analysis in its different fields, as well as with particular methodologies for sampling such as the Chain of Custody. Students must also become familiar with the terminology and the basic use of advanced instrumental methodologies in the forensic field. Throughout the entire subject, the students must carry out different types of individual and group tasks and once the proposed learning objectives have been acquired, they must be able to apply them in the resolution of a series of analytical problems, after which the lecturer will provide the corresponding feedback. To facilitate all these tasks, master classes concerning the most relevant content will be given, and questions and debates will be raised in the classroom to encourage student participation. In addition, experimental works will be carried out for a better comprehension of the taught concepts, thereby favouring the acquisition of the skills necessary to work in a forensic laboratory.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 15
  • Team projects (problem solving, project design)) (%): 15
  • Individual written test including multiple-choice questions and extended response questions (%): 70

Continuous evaluation system:



1. Evaluation of the laboratory practices (15%).



* Carrying out the practices including continuous monitoring of daily work in the laboratory, as well as the group presentation of an expert report according to the solved practical case: 15%. Subject competencies A8 and A9 will be worked on.



2. Evaluation of classroom practices (15%).



* Based on active teaching-learning methodologies (ABP), two practical cases will be resolved in classroom practices. To do this, the student, in small groups of 2 or 3 members, will proceed to the overall design of the general analysis process based on the Aronson's Jigsaw strategy. The evaluation will take place through individual and group tests in the classroom, as well as through self-assessment and co-assessment questionnaires. Subject competencies between A4 and A8 will be worked on.



3. Individual written test (70%).



A single individual written test will be taken at the end of the first quarter. This test will include a series of multiple-choice questions, as well as different extended response questions. To pass this individual test it is necessary to obtain a grade of 5 out of 10. Competencies A1-A4, A6 and A7 will be evaluated. To pass the subject, the grade in each of the three mentioned sections must be at least 5 out of 10.



Continued neglect of spelling and grammar rules in the different tests, exercises or assignments carried out for evaluation may result in a penalty in your grade. This criterion will be applied regardless of the continuous or final evaluation system.



Final evaluation system:

In accordance with the Regulations governing the Evaluation of students in official Degree Degrees (Agreement of the Governing Council of the UPV/EHU of December 15, 2016, published in the BOPV on March 13, 2017), students will have right to be evaluated through the final evaluation system. For this, they must submit in writing to the teaching staff responsible for the subject the waiver to continuous evaluation within a period of 9 weeks from the beginning of the quarter, in accordance with the academic calendar from the centre. These students must prove the acquisition of the skills through a final evaluation that will consist of one or several tests concerning all the topics and concepts worked on the entire subject, both practical and theoretical.

Waiver:

Based on the provisions of the agreement of May 30, 2019, of the Governing Council of the University of the Basque Country / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, which approves the modification of article 12.2 of the Regulations Regulating Student Evaluation in the official Degree qualifications (https://www.euskadi.eus/y22-bopv/es/bopv2/datos/2019/06/1903193a.pdf), given that the weight of the final test for the continuous evaluation system is greater than 40%, not taking the final evaluation test will mean automatic waiver to the corresponding call, both for the continuous evaluation system and for the final evaluation system. Waiver to the call will result in the qualification of not presented.

In the extraordinary call, a final test will be carried out including all the theoretical and practical contents of the subject, which will allow the evaluation of all the competences detailed above. Failure to take the final test will result in automatic waiver of the call.

Lab coat, safety glasses, permanent marker, scientific calculator, laboratory notebook.

Basic bibliography

IAN TEBBETT. Gas Chromatography in Forensic Science. Ed. Ellis Horwood Ld, Chichester, 1992.

IRA S. LURIE AND JOHN D. WITTWER, JR. Ed.High-Performance Liquid Chromatography in Forensic Chemistry. Ed. Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, 1983.

Analytical methods in forensic chemistry. Ho, Mat H. Ed. Ellis Horwood, New York, 1990.

Handbook of Forensic Drug Analysis. Smith, Fred; Siegel, Jay; Editors. USA. 2005.

J. SIEGEL, G. KNUPFER, P. SAUKKO (Eds) Encyclopedi of Forensic Sciences. Ed. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2001.

C. RODRÍGUEZ BUENO, Dopaje, Ed. Interamericana, Nueva York, 1992.

ALMIRALL, JOSE R.; FURTON, KENNETH G. Analysis and Interpretation of Fire Scene Evidence. Ed. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton, 2004.

COLE, MICHAEL.The Analysis of Drugs of Abuse: A Systematic Approach. Ed. John Wiley & Sons Inc, Chichester, 2003

In-depth bibliography

BRANDENBERGER, H.; MAES, R. A. (Eds.) Analytical Toxicology for Clinical, Forensic and Pharmaceutical Chemists. Ed. Gruyter, Berlin,1997.
LIU, RAY H.; GADZALA, DANIEL E.; (Eds.) Handbook of Drug Analysis: Applications in Forensic and Clinical Laboratories.Ed. ACS, Washington, 1997
PIEMONTE, G.; TAGLIARO, F.; MARIGO, M.; FRIGERIO, A.; (Eds.) Developments in Analytical Methods in Pharmaceutical, Biomedical, and Forensic Sciences. Ed. Plenum, New York,1987
AMANDA J.; GOLDBERGER, BRUCE A.; (Eds.) On-Site Drug Testing. Ed. Humana Press Inc Jenkins USA, 2002
KINTZ, PASCAL (Ed.) Special Issue: Proceedings of the Third International Meeting of the Society of Hair Testing, Ed. Elsevier Ltd., Oxford, UK 2004.
LEVINE, BARRY (Ed.) Principles of Forensic Toxicology. Ed. AACC, Washington, 1999.

Journals

Forensec Science International.
Journal of Forensic Sciences.
Journal of Forensic Research.

Web addresses

American Academy of Forensic Sciences: http://www.aafs.org/
The Forensic Science Society: http://www.forensic-science-society.org.uk/
Agencia Europea del Medicamento: http://www.emea.eu.int/
FDA: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/default.htm
OMS: http://www.who.int/en/
Medline: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed