FORENSIC GEOSCIENCES

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Academic Year of enrolment:

2022/2023

Type of Course:

Elective Course

Optional/Mandatory:

Optional

Degree:

Master's Degree Programme in BIOLOGY

Disciplinary Sector:

Mineral Geological Resources and Mineralogic and Petrographic Applications for the Environment and Cultural Heritage

Language:

Italian

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

MAMELI Paola

Hours of classroom activity:

Prerequisites:

No one

AF code:

A002930

Assessment Methods

Verification of learning:

Oral examination at the end of the lectures.
In alternative, at about half of the course, a written test consisting of multiple choice and open-ended questions and then an oral exam on the rest of the program.

To take the examination as attending students they must have attended at least the 50% of the classes.
Not attending students must prepare, in addition to the program, a reduced thesis to be agreed with the teacher.
All students must present a relevant scientific article, a copy of which must be sent to the teacher at most one week before the exam.

Teaching period

First semester

Objectives

Provide the bases for the investigation and interpretation - in environmental terms - of minero-petrographic and minero-chemical data essential to characterize the scene of a crime, both in criminal and civil matters. In the latter case, attention will be focused on identifying the natural path of the elements released by minerals in the geosphere-biosphere interactions, in order to also provide the basic knowledge for the distinction between natural and anthropic contamination and for the protection of the environment and public health.

Contents

Forensic Geosciences and their application in traditional forensic investigations, related to the ascertainment of a crime or social behavior.
Reminds of mineralogical and crystals chemistry topics.
Geochemical Evaluations in Risk Assessment.
Minerals with pathogenic effects: structural and compositional aspects.
Analytical methods for characterization and identification of minerals and chemical elements in rocks.
Introduction to Forensic Geophysics

Recommended Bibliography

Barone P.M., Di Maggio R.M., Pettinelli E., Mattei E., Lauro S.E., Banchelli A. - Geologia forense. Introduzione alle geoscienze applicate alle indagini giudiziarie. Flaccovio Editore
Di Maggio R.M., Barone P.M. - Geoscientists at Crime Scenes
A Companion to Forensic Geoscience. Springer
Donnelly L., Pirrie D., Harrison M., Ruffell A., Dawson L. - A guide to Forensic Geology. Geological Society of London
Mercurio M., Langella A., Di Maggio R.M., Cappelletti P. - Analisi mineralogiche in ambito forense. Aracne Editore

AA. VV. - Special Issue on "Forensic Geology" - Episodes. IUGS
AA. VV. - Special Issue "Forensic Geoscience and Death Investigations" - Forensic Sciences. MDPI

THE SLIDES AND OTHER MATERIALS USED FOR LECTURES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE STUDENTS.

Methods of Provision

Conventional

Teaching Methods

The course will consist of lectures (face to face or online, using Microsoft Teams, or in blended learning model), and laboratory activities.

Participation of students at different stages of proposed course will be stressed. Discussion and debate will be encouraged as well as the collaboration among students in the different activities.

Contacts/More Information

Department of CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY, 4 Piandanna Street SASSARI
Tel. 079-228684
e-mail: mamelip@uniss.it

Supervision hours: Every day by prior mail appointment.

Readiness to offer individual assistance in a foreign language to incoming students (English): YES
Availability of supporting material and bibliographic references also in a foreign language (English): YES
Readiness to accept examination of incoming students also in a foreign language (English) : YES

FORENSIC GEOSCIENCES

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FORENSIC GEOSCIENCES