The teaching of Forensic Toxicology provides the basic knowledge for the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the poisonings and acute poisoning induced by drugs, illegal drugs, volatile organic compounds (for example ethyl alcohol) and, in general, by xenobiotics. More specifically are studied the analytical techniques to identify and quantify the toxic substances in biological matrices.
The course will provide students the knowledge regarding the morphological aspects of the human body. It will allow to acquire the ability to recognize tissues under a microscope from bioptic material. In addition, through practical laboratory exercitations, it will give students the ability to identify molecular markers of pathogenicity or useful for forensic investigations
Frontal lessons:
- concept of poison
- diagnosis of poisoning
- brief description of the pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs)
- methodology of chemical-toxicological survey
- carbon monoxide
- drugs of abuse, ethyl alcohol, opiates and derivatives, cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, hallucinogens, drugs, volatile substances
- legal aspects of drugs
- ethyl alcohol and driving
- research for drugs in biological and non-organic samples
Laboratory exercises
Microscopic structure of the organs. Molecular markers identifying the cells. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques. General principles of immunofluorescence. Antibodies and conjugated antibodies. Strategies for double labeling and co-location
Bertol E, Mari F, Lodi F, Marozzi E. Trattato di tossicologia forense. CEDAM, Padova, 2000.
Bertol E. Analitica tossicologia. Aspetti tecnici interpretativi, giuridici e deontologici, Esculapio, 2011.
Papers will be provided to students