Forensic Toxicology

Module 19 hrs3 topics

Foundations of forensic toxicology

What forensic toxicology actually does inside an investigation, how poisons are classified by origin, mode of action and chemical nature, and what makes one poison more lethal than another in the same dose.

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Introduction and Scope of Forensic ToxicologyWhat forensic toxicology actually does inside an Indian investigation, how it sits alongside clinical, environmental and regulatory toxicology, and the working examiner's day-to-day caseload at CFSL, SFSL and AIIMS toxicology units.14 min14 min
Classification of Poisons by Origin, Action and Chemical NatureThe four working classifications a toxicologist uses on every case: by origin (mineral, vegetable, animal, synthetic), by mode of action (corrosive, irritant, neurotoxic, cardiotoxic, asphyxiant), by chemical nature, and by intent (accidental, suicidal, homicidal).12 min12 min
Factors Affecting the Intensity of PoisoningDose, route, age, sex, body mass, tolerance, idiosyncrasy, the form and physical state of the poison, simultaneous food and alcohol, hepatic and renal status, and how Indian post-mortem interpretation actually weighs these variables.14 min14 min

Module 212 hrs4 topics

Poisoning in India: signs, scene and law

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Signs, symptoms and antidotes for the poisons that turn up in Indian post-mortems, the patterns NCRB and ICMR data show on suicidal and accidental poisoning, how a poisoning crime scene is worked, and the Indian statutory frame: Poison Act 1919, Drugs Act 1940 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

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Module 312 hrs4 topics

Sample matrices and classical extraction

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Viscera and biological sample collection at autopsy, classification of matrices, and the classical wet-chemistry extraction methods every Indian toxicology lab still relies on: Stas-Otto, ammonium sulphate, distillation, microdiffusion and dialysis.

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Module 412 hrs3 topics

Modern extraction and chromatographic techniques

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Dry ashing and wet digestion for metallic poisons, the modern extraction stack (SPE, SPME, accelerated solvent extraction), and the chromatographic separation toolkit used in routine and reference toxicology: TLC, HPLC, HPTLC and GLC.

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Module 512 hrs3 topics

Spectrometric and inorganic analysis

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UV-Vis, FTIR and mass spectrometry as detection layers on top of chromatography, the AAS/ICP/IC stack for inorganic poisons, and the gas and volatile poison cases (CO, cyanide, methanol, ethanol) that every Indian lab sees on a weekly basis.

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Module 69 hrs3 topics

Classes of poisons

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The major chemical and pharmacological classes a forensic toxicologist works through case after case: toxic metals and anions, the pesticide groups that dominate Indian rural poisoning, and the acidic, neutral and alkaline drug classes seen in drug-facilitated crime.

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Module 712 hrs5 topics

Specialised matrices and natural poisons

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Hair analysis as a long-window matrix for drugs and chronic poisoning, drug metabolism and metabolite identification, the bacterial and chemical patterns in food poisoning, and the plant and animal poisons that still appear in Indian medico-legal practice.

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Your journey to becoming a forensic professional starts here.

Forensic Toxicology

Forensic Toxicology