| CODE | CRM2019 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Forensic Pathology | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Criminology | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit comprises an introduction to forensic medicine with emphasis on forensic pathology topics of medico-legal importance, with a view to appreciate the value of medical evidence in criminal investigation. An overview of the medico-legal investigation of deaths, with a focus on the local Magisterial inquiry will be presented. Topics covered include definition and pathophysiology of death, time of death, victim identification and interpretation of wounds, including gunshot injuries. The investigation of unnatural deaths will explore the following subjects: road traffic accidents, asphyxia, deaths in water and thermal injuries, including electrocution. Other aspects covered include the investigation of sexual offences, child and elderly abuse and torture as well as the medico-legal issues related to poisoning. Throughout the unit, there is reference to relevant local legislation and the use of forensic science, including genetic tests, to assist in the investigation of injuries and deaths. Study-unit Aims: The main aim of the unit is to provide a foundation for understanding the medico-legal issues encountered in the criminal justice system and to assist students in understanding the role of medical and scientific evidence in obtaining a successful and just outcome in a legal case. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. outline the principles of medico-legal investigation, with emphasis on the local system; 2. discuss the legal issues necessitating investigation of a death and disposal of a body; 3. discuss the pathophysiology of death and the interpretation of the changes after death; 4. define brain death and explain the concept in terms of organ donation; 5. outline general and specific identification procedures; 6. explain the forensic classification of wounds; 7. discuss the role and value of medical evidence in gunshot injuries, road traffic accidents, asphyxial deaths, deaths in water, thermal injuries and poisoning; and 8. discuss the medical evidence to be collected in cases of abuse: children and elderly abuse, sexual abuse and torture. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. identify the different causes of death; 2. review the different forensic techniques; 3. explore the different skills required for the categories of deaths; 4. identify the different testing tools employed. 5. distinguish between the mode and the manner of death; 6. apply basic pathological concepts to assess the time of death; 7. distinguish between the types of injuries; 8. interpret traumatic injuries in terms of legal significance; 9. identify scenarios associated with abuse of humans; and 10. assess the impact of poisons in the causation of injuries and in victim behaviour. Reading List: MainTexts: - Simpson's Forensic Medicine by Jason Payne-James, Richard Jones, Steven Karch, John Manlove. 13th Edition. Publishers Arnold 2011 ISBN 9780340986042. - A very good forensic web site: http://www.forensicmed.co.uk/ Maltese Legislation web site: http://justiceservices.gov.mt/LOM.aspx?pageid=24 Various Internet Resources are available for pathology Try: http://www-medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPath/webpath.html Supplementary: - Knight's Forensic Pathology, (3rd Ed) Saukko P. and B. Knight (2004) Hodder Arnold, ISBN 0340760443 Clinical Forensic Medicine, W. McLay (3rd Ed) Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0521705681. - Crime Scene to Court The Essentials of Forensic Science, (2nd Ed) Ed. P.C. White, Royal Society of Chemistry, ISBN 0854046569. |
||||||||
| ADDITIONAL NOTES | This study-unit is offered to B.A. (Hons) in Criminology students. | ||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
|
||||||||
| LECTURER/S | Tiffany Buhagiar David Grima David Pisani (Co-ord.) |
||||||||
|
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
|||||||||