Course Information


Course Information
Course Title Code Semester L+U Hour Credits ECTS
FORENSIC PALYNOLOGY BIO5602008 2 + 2 3.0 6.0

Prerequisites None

Language of Instruction Turkish
Course Level Graduate Degree
Course Type Compulsory
Mode of delivery
Course Coordinator
Instructors
Assistants
Goals This course aims to provide the fundamental knowledge necessary to understand how pollen and spores are used in forensic sciences. Students will learn about pollen analysis techniques, pollen morphology, and environmental sampling methods.
Course Content Forensic palynology is used in many countries today to link suspects, crime scenes, victims, and the timing of events using the characteristics of spores, pollen, and other palynomorphs. It helps establish connections between evidence left at crime scenes and perpetrators, prove guilt, verify victims' statements, narrow down suspects, aid police investigations in the right direction, clarify various fraud crimes, determine the routes and geographic sources of drugs, and more. This course will cover how pollen and spores can be used to solve forensic cases.
Learning Outcomes 1) Gain fundamental knowledge about palynology.
2) Learn how to prepare palynological slides
3) Understand how to conduct palynological examinations on samples taken from crime scenes
4) Learn the importance of plant diversity and flowering periods in forensic palynology studies
5) Understand the situations where forensic palynology can assist in criminal investigations and the types of crime scenes where forensic palynological evidence can be collected.

Weekly Topics (Content)
Week Topics Teaching and Learning Methods and Techniques Study Materials
1. Week Definition, History, and Importance of Forensic Palynology Lecture
Colloquium
Brain Based Learning 		Presentation (Including Preparation Time)
2. Week Importance of Plant Diversity and Flowering Periods in Forensic Palynology Studies Lecture
Colloquium
Brain Based Learning 		Presentation (Including Preparation Time)
3. Week Formation, Structure, and Diversity of Pollen and Spores Lecture
Colloquium
Brain Based Learning 		Presentation (Including Preparation Time)
4. Week General Morphological Characteristics of Pollen and Spores (size, shape, ornamentation, wall structure) Lecture
Colloquium
Brain Based Learning 		Presentation (Including Preparation Time)
5. Week Microscopic Techniques for Examining and Identifying Pollen and Spores Lecture
Colloquium
Brain Based Learning 		Presentation (Including Preparation Time)
6. Week Importance of Pollination Biology in Forensic Palynology Studies Lecture
Colloquium
Brain Based Learning 		Presentation (Including Preparation Time)
7. Week Examination of Forensic Cases Utilizing Pollen Analysis Lecture
Colloquium
Brain Based Learning 		Presentation (Including Preparation Time)
8. Week Forensic Sampling and Sample Preparation Techniques Lecture
Colloquium
Brain Based Learning 		Presentation (Including Preparation Time)
9. Week Use of Pollen and Spores as Evidence in Crime Scene Investigations, Comparison of Control and Forensic Pollen Samples Lecture
Colloquium
Brain Based Learning 		Presentation (Including Preparation Time)
10. Week Interpretation of Data Obtained from Pollen and Spore Analysis Lecture
Colloquium
Brain Based Learning 		Presentation (Including Preparation Time)
11. Week Examination of Case Studies Solved with Forensic Palynology (1) Lecture
Colloquium
Brain Based Learning 		Presentation (Including Preparation Time)
12. Week Examination of Case Studies Solved with Forensic Palynology (2) Lecture
Colloquium
Brain Based Learning 		Presentation (Including Preparation Time)
13. Week Examination of Case Studies Solved with Forensic Palynology (3) and General Discussion Lecture
Colloquium
Brain Based Learning 		Presentation (Including Preparation Time)
14. Week Ethical and Legal Aspects of Forensic Palynology Lecture
Colloquium
Brain Based Learning 		Presentation (Including Preparation Time)

Sources Used in This Course
Recommended Sources
Coyle, H.M. 2005. Forensic Botany Principles and Applications To Criminal Casework. Crc Press, Boca Raton London New York Washington, D.C. 346 p.
Doğan, C., Adli Palinoloji, 373-395. Editör: Oğuz Karakuş, 2011. Adli Bilimler, Adalet Yayınevi, Ankara, 2011, 626 s.
Doğan, C., Karakuş, O., 2007. Türkiye?de Palinolojik Delillerin Yardımıyla Çözülen İlk Hırsızlık Olayı, Adli Bilimler Dergisi, 6 (4):36-42.
Doğan, C., Kızılpınar, İ. 2009. Adli Bilimler Çalıştayı, Adli Palinoloji Nedir. Hacettepe Üniversitesi, Hacettepe Üniversitesi Hastaneleri Basımevi, Ankara. s., 61-90.

Relations with Education Attainment Program Course Competencies
Program RequirementsContribution LevelDK1DK2DK3DK4DK5
PY1555555
PY2555555
PY3555555

*DK = Course's Contrubution.
0 1 2 3 4 5
Level of contribution None Very Low Low Fair High Very High
.

ECTS credits and course workload
Event Quantity Duration (Hour) Total Workload (Hour)
Course Duration (Total weeks*Hours per week) 14 2
Work Hour outside Classroom (Preparation, strengthening) 14 5
Homework 1 2
Practice (Teaching Practice, Music/Musical Instrument Practice , Statistics, Laboratory, Field Work, Clinic and Polyclinic Practice) 14 2
Midterm Exam 1 1
Time to prepare for Midterm Exam 1 10
Final Exam 1 1
Time to prepare for Final Exam 1 30
Total Workload
Total Workload / 30 (s)
ECTS Credit of the Course
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Course Information
  • Course Information
  • Weekly Topics (Content)
  • Sources Used in This Course
  • Relations with Education Attainment Program Course Competencies
  • ECTS credits and course workload