The Forensic Cytology and Histology course offers in-depth training on the histological and microscopic characteristics of tissues and bodily fluids with forensic applications. Students will learn to distinguish, identify, and detect signs of cellular and tissue alterations due to pre- and post-mortem phenomena. Methods for recognizing and characterizing biological samples will be examined, evaluating the most suitable techniques for their processing. The course includes the analysis of histological indicators and the assessment of laboratory technique quality. Students will develop skills to propose, structure, and combine plans for cytological and histological analyses, and present results with scientific clarity. The acquired training will enable students to monitor and verify the importance of microscopic data in reconstructing forensic events, effectively supporting legal investigations.
The forensic cytology and histology focus on body fluids and tissues of interest in forensic science including blood, menstrual blood, semen, vaginal material, saliva, skin and their derivates (hairs and nails). The course aims to provide key competences on presumptive and confirmatory tests used in the identification of the body fluids. The structure and organization of hairs, scales, teeth from different species but with special focus on human, as well as the histology of bone tissue and of forensically relevant soft tissues, will be illustrated. The students will be able to acquire the main cytodiagnostic techniques (immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, light and electron microscopy, etc.) that can be used to identify the various types of physical injuries or trauma. Some case reports and in-depth analysis on specific topics (e.g. neurotraumatology and forensic aspects of fetal deaths) will be also reported. The course is intended to endow the student with useful knowledge and methods in the event reconstruction in investigations and in providing microscopic confirmation of macroscopic findings, facilitating a more comprehensive reporting. The approach of the course will allow the student to apply the knowledge to a wide range of forensic cases, from violent crime to fraud.
Attendance in training activities and individual study will enable the student to:
Knowledge in basic cytology, histology, microscopy, and histological techniques.
The course consists of lectures, seminars by experts in forensic odontology and reproductive biology (forensic aspects of seminal fluid and vaginal secretions), and seminar activities organized by students.
Students who have a valid certification of physical or learning disabilities deposited at the University and who wish to request compensatory tools, dispensatory measures, or other accommodations for lectures, assignments, and exams should speak with both the instructor and Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the contact person at the Department for Disabilities.
Slides of the lessons, scientific articles and other teaching material will be provided on Aulaweb
Ricevimento: The students are able to book an appointment by phone, by mail or by aulaweb
ANDREA AMAROLI (President)
SARA FERRANDO (President)
STEFANO AICARDI
MATTEO BOZZO
SIMONA CANDIANI
TIZIANA BACHETTI (Substitute)
The lessons timetable and academic calendar will be available on the dedicated website
FORENSIC CYTOLOGY AND HISTOLOGY
Oral assessment + presentation of a case of study. Three exam dates will be available in the winter session (January-February) and four in the summer session (June, July, September).
In case of certification of specific learning disability, disability or other special educational needs, the University legislation and regulations on disability and SLD are applied (https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disabilit%C3% A0-normative).
See also the "Other information" section of this syllabus.
The oral exam regards the topics seen during the lessons. Questions can be posed verbally or by asking to describe histologic and microscopic photographs. The ability of the student in indicating the most suitable methods to analyze different samples of forensic interest will be also evaluated. Furthermore, the use of correct terminology will be considered.
The level of detail required for each topic is clarified during the lessons.
The preparation and presentation of a case of study are requested in order to evaluate the interpretive ability of the student regarding the scientific literature regarding the exam topic.
In case of certification of specific learning disability, disability or other special educational needs, please contact both the Department contact person, Prof. Ferrando Sara, and the lecturer at the beginning of the lectures to agree on teaching and exam methods which, in compliance of the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory/dispensatory tools recognized by the University SLD Student Service.
