DEPARTMENT OF FORENSIC SCIENCE

NEP SYLLABUS 2022 BATCH ONWARDS

SEMESTER IV B.Sc. FORENSIC SCIENCE

INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY

SYLLABUS DRAFT

Contact Hours :45 Credits:03

Learning Objectives :

The objective of this course is to impart knowledge on forensic toxicology and thereby provide an
understanding on different types of poisons , alcoholic and non -alcoholic beverages and drug of
abuse. The course also provides an understanding on different extraction methods,qualitative and
quantitative analytical techniques, role of toxicologists and significance of toxicological findings .

Course Outcomes:
CO1:-Define forensic toxicology, poisons ,Drug dependence and drug of abuse and recognize nature
of exhibits encountered at various scene of crime.
CO2:-Assess the characteristics properties and mode of action of various types of poisons and drugs.
CO3:- Examine liquor, drugs and poisons.
CO4:-Employ different extraction methods, qualitative analytical techniques, role of toxicologists,
significance of toxicological findings.
CO5:- Recognize alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages classification of poisons, classification of drug
of abuse, drugs and cosmetic act, NDPS act .
Module -1

● Forensic toxicology- Basic principles, concepts and terms. Role of Forensic toxicologist.
Significance of Forensic toxicology.
● Alcoholic beverages: Introduction, properties, Mode of action, symptoms, medico-legal
aspects, Country made and illicit liquor.
● Poison: classification of poisons, properties. Medico-legal aspects of poisons on the basis of
source and mode of action.
● Collection and preservation of toxicological evidence in fatal and survival cases.
● Drugs of abuse: introduction, classification of drugs of abuse.
● Laws related to Forensics -Poisons Act 1952, NDPS Act, Drug and Cosmetics act.

Module -2 15 hours

● Exposure-Routes of exposure, Acute and Chronic exposure

● Mode of action of poisons (Carbon Monoxide, Organophosphates, Alcohol and Opiates)
and its effect on vital organs. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of organic and
inorganic poison.
● Extraction of poisons and drugs (distillation, acid digestion, wet digestion, ammonium
sulphate method, Dry Ashing, Stas-Otto).

● Medicolegal and post-mortem examination report.

Module -3 15 hours

● Techniques involved in analytical toxicology.

● Isolation of poisons and drugs using chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques.
● Preliminary Examination of drugs- (spot test, color test, microcrystalline test)
● Identification and estimation of poisons and drugs using chromatographic (TLC, HPLC, GC,
GC-MS) and UV-VIS spectrophotometric methods. Case Study Analysis and Report writing.

REFERENCES:

1. Reddy, K. S. N; Murty, O. P. Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. 2017. 34 th ed.

Jaypee brothers medical publishers.
2. Bardale R. Principles of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. 2011. 1 st ed. Jaypee brothers
medical publishers
3. Hodgson, E. (n.d.). A Textbook of modern toxicology. Wiley Interscience .
4. DFS MANUAL -Forensic Toxicology
5. Tripathi, K. (n.d.). Essensitals of Medical Pharmacology. Jaypee Publication
6. Flangan, R. J., Cuypers, E., et. al., Fundamentals of Analytical Toxicology. 2 nd ed. Wiley
Publication

PRACTICALS

1. Safety precautions to be followed during collection, preservation and packaging of

toxicological samples.
2. Analysis of ethyl Alcohol (Dichromate test, Iodoform test).
3. Analysis of methyl alcohol (Schiff’s reagent test, Chromotropic acid test).
4. Analysis of organic acids.
5. Identification of plant poison.
6. TLC of drugs.
7. Detection of heavy metals by Reinsch test.
8. Spot test for nitrate, nitrite, carbonates, sulphates, sulphites and chlorates.
9. Estimation of carbon monoxide from blood.
10. Report writing for toxicological evidence analysis.