Class Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation

This UC aims to provide future criminologists with skills to use and understand the forensic mechanisms necessary for investigation, with mastery of techniques within the scope of forensic sciences and their impact on criminal investigation. It is distributed across domains as different as the collection and conservation of evidence, fires, explosives, drugs, soil, documents, among many others. The UC of Forensic Sciences and Criminal Investigation is central to the training of future graduates, as it brings them closer to the technical-scientific reality of forensic work, making its existence within the scope of this university training meaningful.

Not applicable

1. Forensic Sciences: Concepts and contents. 2. Ethics and Forensic Sciences. 3. Detection, documentation, collection and preservation of evidentiary material. 4. The chain of custody. 5. Quality control and assurance. 6. Concepts, potentialities and limitations of forensic expertise in different domains: Crime scene, Lofoscopy, Documents, Handwriting, Explosives, Drugs, Fires and Explosions, Shot residue, Soil, Paints, among others.

This UC consists of theoretical-practical and practical classes. Theoretical-practical classes are organized into two aspects: (1) exposure of theoretical concepts and analysis methodologies and (2) exposure of examples and practical cases. Practical classes provide an introduction to forensic analysis with data provided by the teacher. All classes are supported by multimedia teaching materials (video and PowerPoint presentation, as well as teacher/student interaction in order to support analytical discussion and critical thinking). It is considered equally important that students carry out autonomous learning work, guided by objectives and instructions provided by the curricular unit's teacher. This methodology is aimed at learning content so that students can know, understand, acquire and develop the proposed objectives.

Saferstein, R. (2015). Criminalistics: An introduction to forensic science. Siegel, J. A., & Saukko, P. J. (2012). Encyclopedia of forensic sciences. Academic Press.