AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course will provide the students with the general knowledge about forensic botany and mycology and their application in crime investigation and in the answering to other legal issues. Case studies, where botanic and mycological evidence have been used, will be presented. Collection and identification methods of specimens of forensic interest will also be presented.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course will allow the student to learn the basic knowledge of forensic botany and mycology and the related methodologies that can be used in crime investigations and in solving legal questions.

At the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate:

a) A general knowledge of the principles of forensic botany and mycology;

b) A general understanding of the role of plants as sources of toxic and psychoactive substances and in contamination and frauds of food and medications;

c) A general understanding of the role of fungi in cadaver decomposition processes and their role as environmental contaminants;

d) A general understanding of the use of plants and fungi (eg.: plant fragments in the gut content, roots in burial sites, hyphae, etc.) in PMI (post mortem interval).

At the end of lessons, students will be able to:

a) Select the best sampling methods for botanic evidence depending on the different forensic scenarios;

b) Indicate sampling methodologies of fungal organisms with emphasis on tanatochronology, putrefactive processes and contamination of objects and environments.

TEACHING METHODS

The module consists of lectures and discussions on real cases. Since practical activities are planned for the application of the acquired knowledge, attendance at lessons is strongly recommended. The lectures are delivered in person through multimedia presentations, possibly integrated with seminars or other activities useful for exploring specific topics in greater depth.

Students are invited to check regularly the module website (AulaWeb ) to be updated on any teaching variation.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is built up of two components: Forensic Botany and Forensic Mycology

Forensic Botany: A brief historical introduction. Application in crime investigation and legal disputes. Botanical traces useful in the forensic context: methods, techniques and case studies. Application in investigations on toxic and psychoactive plants, and on food and herbal medicine frauds. Real cases will be illustrated.

Forensic mycology: definition and main fields of application. Fungi and thanotochronology: Real cases will be illustrated. Fungi involved in decomposition, biodeterioration and biodegradation, with examples of monitoring and sampling.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All the slides used during the lectures and other teaching material (texts and selected scientific papers) will be available on Aulaweb as .pdf files. 
Suggested books are available in the library or for consultation

Recommended books (available in the library or upon request to the teacher):

-Forensic Botany - Practical Guide. D.W. Hall & J.H. Byrd eds. WILEY-Blackwell, 2012
-Forensic Botany. Principles and Applications to Criminal Casework. Edited by Heather Miller Coyle. CRC Press 2005.
-Essential Forensic Biology. Gunn A. , 3rd edition, Willey, 2019.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable go to the link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Please check the module Aulaweb page for timetable updates.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of written tests relating to the topics and activities conducted during the teaching module.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Details about the assessment and the evaluation process will be explained by the lecturers at the beginning of the course and reiterated during the lessons.

The final exam, in the form of a test, will allow to verify the level of knowledge of the subject and the ability of the student to connect the knowledge and methods of the discipline with real cases.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Regular attendance at classes and supplementary activities is strongly recommended.