Module Descriptors
DETECTION AND ANALYSIS OF DRUGS
FORE40348
Key Facts
Health, Education, Policing and Sciences
Level 4
20 credits
Contact
Leader: David Flatman-Fairs
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 25
Independent Study Hours: 175
Total Learning Hours: 200
Pattern of Delivery
- Occurrence A, Stoke Campus, UG Semester 1 to UG Semester 2
Sites
- Stoke Campus
Assessment
- PRACTICAL BOOKLET weighted at 80%
- PRESENTATION 15 MINUTES weighted at 20%
Module Details
MODULE INDICATIVE CONTENT
Gain an understanding of the current drug and alcohol legislation in England and Wales, with particular reference to the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The major classes of controlled drugs, including cannabis, heroin, cocaine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, amphetamines and ecstasy, will be briefly discussed in terms of their origin, chemical composition, usage, and their physiological and psychological effects. The common methods employed in the illegal synthesis, extraction, processing, purification and adulteration of drug substances will be outlined. The general scheme for detection, identification and quantification of drugs, by physical inspection, chemical spot tests, thin layer chromatography and instrumental analytical techniques will be discussed. The profiling of drugs samples, using powerful instrumental analytical techniques, to trace supply chains and origins will be outlined.
The absorption, distribution and elimination of alcohol from the body, and it’s physiological and psychological effects will be discussed. Methods of alcohol determination in the breath, urine and blood, for both in-field screening and laboratory confirmation will be described, and calculations of blood-alcohol levels from knowledge of body mass indices and elimination rates will be addressed.
A brief introduction to drugs in sport and drugs in the workplace will be covered including elements such as screening processes and steps taken to mask their presence.
Gain experience in the processing of mock crime scene involving drugs and related paraphernalia, including the Health and Safety implications and the recovery and packaging of evidential items.
The major classes of controlled drugs, including cannabis, heroin, cocaine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, amphetamines and ecstasy, will be briefly discussed in terms of their origin, chemical composition, usage, and their physiological and psychological effects. The common methods employed in the illegal synthesis, extraction, processing, purification and adulteration of drug substances will be outlined. The general scheme for detection, identification and quantification of drugs, by physical inspection, chemical spot tests, thin layer chromatography and instrumental analytical techniques will be discussed. The profiling of drugs samples, using powerful instrumental analytical techniques, to trace supply chains and origins will be outlined.
The absorption, distribution and elimination of alcohol from the body, and it’s physiological and psychological effects will be discussed. Methods of alcohol determination in the breath, urine and blood, for both in-field screening and laboratory confirmation will be described, and calculations of blood-alcohol levels from knowledge of body mass indices and elimination rates will be addressed.
A brief introduction to drugs in sport and drugs in the workplace will be covered including elements such as screening processes and steps taken to mask their presence.
Gain experience in the processing of mock crime scene involving drugs and related paraphernalia, including the Health and Safety implications and the recovery and packaging of evidential items.
MODULE ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Practical booklet - Students will be required to complete number of tasks in the laboratory practical that will require them to record observations and make inferences. The booklet will also include questions to be completed. Meets learning outcomes 2 and 3
Group presentation – working as a small team, students will create a 15-minute presentation on drug abuse related topic. All members of the team will be involved in the delivery of the presentation. Meets learning outcome 1
Group presentation – working as a small team, students will create a 15-minute presentation on drug abuse related topic. All members of the team will be involved in the delivery of the presentation. Meets learning outcome 1
MODULE LEARNING STRATEGIES
This module will utilise a series of lectures and interactive discussions to guide you through the methods for detection of drugs in various settings. You will have an opportunity to explore analysis of drugs in a laboratory-based practical.
MODULE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THE MAJOR TYPES OF CONTROLLED DRUGS AND THEIR ORIGINS, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, USES AND EFFECTS
2. UNDERSTAND THE MAIN FORENSIC PROCESSES INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL AND LEGAL DRUG ANALYSIS AS WELL AS DEMONSTRATING THE SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES TO INTERPRET THE RESULTS OF FORENSIC DRUG ANALYSIS
3. UNDERSTAND AND DEMONSTRATE THE SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES USED TO PROCESS CRIME SCENES THAT INVOLVE DRUGS AND RELATED PARAPHERNALIA.
2. UNDERSTAND THE MAIN FORENSIC PROCESSES INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL AND LEGAL DRUG ANALYSIS AS WELL AS DEMONSTRATING THE SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES TO INTERPRET THE RESULTS OF FORENSIC DRUG ANALYSIS
3. UNDERSTAND AND DEMONSTRATE THE SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES USED TO PROCESS CRIME SCENES THAT INVOLVE DRUGS AND RELATED PARAPHERNALIA.
MODULE RESOURCES
1. DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THE MAJOR TYPES OF CONTROLLED DRUGS AND THEIR ORIGINS, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, USES AND EFFECTS
2. UNDERSTAND THE MAIN FORENSIC PROCESSES INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL AND LEGAL DRUG ANALYSIS AS WELL AS DEMONSTRATING THE SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES TO INTERPRET THE RESULTS OF FORENSIC DRUG ANALYSIS
3. UNDERSTAND AND DEMONSTRATE THE SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES USED TO PROCESS CRIME SCENES THAT INVOLVE DRUGS AND RELATED PARAPHERNALIA.
2. UNDERSTAND THE MAIN FORENSIC PROCESSES INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL AND LEGAL DRUG ANALYSIS AS WELL AS DEMONSTRATING THE SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES TO INTERPRET THE RESULTS OF FORENSIC DRUG ANALYSIS
3. UNDERSTAND AND DEMONSTRATE THE SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES USED TO PROCESS CRIME SCENES THAT INVOLVE DRUGS AND RELATED PARAPHERNALIA.
MODULE TEXTS
Bicerano, J. 2007;2006;, Drug Abuse Handbook, CRC Press, Baton Rouge
Clarke's Analysis of Drugs and Poisons - Medicines Complete (online resource/database)
Cole, M.D. & NetLibrary, I. 2003, The analysis of controlled substances, Wiley, New York.
Jackson, A.R.W. & Jackson, J.M. 2017, Forensic science, 4th edn, Pearson, Harlow.
King, L.A. 2003, The misuse of drugs act: a guide for forensic scientists, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge.
Mottram, D.R. & Chester, N. 2018, Drugs in sport, 7th edn, Routledge, London
Wong, R.C., Tse, H.Y. & NetLibrary, I. 2005, Drugs of abuse: body fluid testing, Humana Press, Totowa, N.J,
Clarke's Analysis of Drugs and Poisons - Medicines Complete (online resource/database)
Cole, M.D. & NetLibrary, I. 2003, The analysis of controlled substances, Wiley, New York.
Jackson, A.R.W. & Jackson, J.M. 2017, Forensic science, 4th edn, Pearson, Harlow.
King, L.A. 2003, The misuse of drugs act: a guide for forensic scientists, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge.
Mottram, D.R. & Chester, N. 2018, Drugs in sport, 7th edn, Routledge, London
Wong, R.C., Tse, H.Y. & NetLibrary, I. 2005, Drugs of abuse: body fluid testing, Humana Press, Totowa, N.J,
MODULE SPECIAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
None
WEB DESCRIPTOR
Would you like you know more about the analysis of drugs and alcohol? In this option module you will gain an understanding of what drugs of abuse are, their effects on the body, how they may be made and how they can be tested in an analytical laboratory. You will get practical experience of initial testing of seized samples and consider evidence