FSCI 4030U – Forensic Drug Chemistry and Toxicology

This course will provide an introduction to forensic drug chemistry and toxicology that builds from information and skills acquired from prerequisite courses that include forensic chemistry (FSCI 3040U), forensic biology (FSCI3020U), and principles of pharmacology (BIOL 3020U). The course will compare the roles of the forensic drug chemist and toxicologist, including the analysis of drug samples and drugs/metabolites in biological samples. Students will be exposed throughout the course to critical thinking that may be required in potential forensic drug chemistry and toxicology case scenarios. The lecture portion of the course will be provided in four parts. Principles of forensic drug chemistry and forensic toxicology will be covered first. Next will be general analytical considerations. The third part will be selected analyte drug classes that include alcohol and other volatiles, amphetamines, cocaine, cannabinoids, GHB, LSD, PCP and psilocybin, and selected therapeutic drug classes that include sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, analgesics, anesthetics, antihistamines, and anticonvulsants. Finally, student presentations will involve current area(s) of forensic interest/application for an assigned drug.
Credit hours: 3
Lecture hours: 3
Laboratory hours: 3
Prerequisite(s): (FSCI 3020U or FSCI 3120U) and FSCI 3040U and enrolment in fourth year of the Forensic Science program