Units / FOR5007
FOR5007 · Elements of forensic toxicology
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 5Forensic Medicine
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
Teaching in this unit aims to develop your familiarity with the concepts of clinical and post-mortem toxicology. The unit also focuses on the basic pharmacokinetic and pharmacological properties of commonly abused drugs found in forensic medical cases. Emphasis will be on behavioural issues of these drugs and how they relate to forensic practice. Such issues include the effects on cognitive and psychomotor skills in drivers and in the workplace and other adverse reactions attributed to drug misuse.
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Southbank | First semester | Some activities have a choice of on-campus or online teaching activities in a block period (FLX-BLK) |
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assessment 1: Case Study 1 (2,400 words) | Written | 30% | Competency |
| 2 | Assessment 2: Case Study 2 (2,400 words) | Written | 30% | Competency |
| 3 | Assessment 3: Case Study 3 (3,200 words) | Written | 40% | Competency |
Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment tasks. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.
Learning outcomes
- Appropriately and correctly use technical terms associated with analytical toxicology;
- Give examples of the range of techniques used in forensic toxicology and illustrate where they may be applicable;
- Discriminate between the common types of drugs seen in forensic medical cases;
- Comprehend and evaluate the main pharmacological effects of alcohol and common illicit drugs with the emphasis on their effects on behaviours, psychomotor control and cognition;
- Analyse the relevant behavioural effects of common illicit drug combinations and common adverse illicit drug reactions ;
- Apply forensic toxicology to case work for the purpose of report preparation and presentation to courts.
Workload
It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.
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