Francesco Botrè

6 ECTS: 48 hours of lectures

Aims:

The course introduces the student to forensic analytical chemistry, with special focus on analytical procedures applied in forensic toxicology and in the anti-doping field.

The introductory part of the course gives a recap on the historical evolution of forensic analysis, forensic toxicology and anti-doping analysis, as well as on the basic principles of drugs of abuse, toxicants and poisons metabolism, aimed to present the criteria for the selection of specific, diagnostic target analytes (parent compounds, metabolites, biomarkers).

Different analytical approaches are presented to outline their advantages and disadvantages for the specific aims of the forensic investigations. The analytical strategies will include single tests and longitudinal monitoring, both of them targeting “markers of exposure” (the target substances) and/or “markers of effect” (biomarkers whose levels are altered by the target substances).

The main analytical platforms commonly applied to forensic studies (with special focus on chromatographic-spectrometric techniques) are also presented. Special attention is given to the description of the main validation criteria of an analytical procedure to be applied in the forensic field, including the value of ISO17025 accreditation for the analytical laboratory.

At the end of the course the students should be able to correctly plan, present and discuss a complete analytical procedure (i.e., from the study of the system to be investigated to the actual relevance of the analytical information) to be applied in the framework of a forensic investigation.

Lectures:

An introduction to forensic analytical chemistry. Historical remarks and evolution of the forensic investigations to the present days.

Analytical methodologies in the field of forensic analysis. The key importance of sample collection, transport, manipulation, and pretreatment. Screening methods and confirmation methods. Assessment of the solidity of the analytical investigation; the concept of false-positive and false-negative results.

Analytical platforms for the study of molecular and macromolecular targets/biomarkers. Chromatographic-spectrometric techniques (GC-MS; GC-MS/MS, GC-HRMS; LC-MS, LC-MS/MS; LC-HRMS; SFC-MS).

Analytical techniques for the study of proteins and supramolecular structures. 

Analytical techniques for the study of cellular/biological/ genetic markers: flow cytofluorimetry; morphological and nanotechnological assays (e.g., by atomic force microscopy); forensic genetics and related techniques.

New perspectives from the analytical side: “-omics” and other multi-targeted/untargeted explorative techniques, also in combination with methods of multivariate statistical analysis; the potential role of artificial intelligence.

Presentation and discussion of selected examples of analytical procedures designed, developed, validated and applied in the field of forensic toxicology and doping analysis.

Assessment and Grading:

Midterm Assessment: presentation and discussion of a selected forensic toxicology case.

Final exam: Oral test to assess the basic knowledge, the ability to identify the key points of a forensic investigation, the autonomy of judgment, the property of scientific language, and the skills to discuss the issues related to forensic analytical chemistry.