ADB633 - FORENSIC PALYNOLOGY

Course Name Code Semester Theory
(hours/week)		 Application
(hours/week)		 Credit ECTS
FORENSIC PALYNOLOGY ADB633 Any Semester/Year 2 3 3 9
PrequisitesNone
Course languageTurkish
Course typeElective 
Mode of DeliveryFace-to-Face 
Learning and teaching strategiesLecture
Discussion
Question and Answer
Demonstration
Experiment
Case Study
 
Instructor (s)Assist. Prof. Cahit DOÄžAN 
Course objectivePalynology, the study of pollen, spores, and other acid-resistant microscopic plant bodies collectively known as palynomorphs, is an interdisciplinary field with applications in many areas of science, including forensics, geology, geography, botany, zoology, archaeology, and immunology. Many of these areas impact on and overlap with each other and, when combined, form the study of forensic palynology. Like many forensic disciplines today, palynology involves the study of microscobic evidence that is resistant to damage or removal from crime scenes. 
Learning outcomes
  1. The purpose of the forensic palynology is examining the usage of palynology applications on forensic cases in detail. In the scope of the lecture the main subjects are the features of the pollen grains, its usage as evidence, sample types, sample collecting from the event scene and conserving of these samples, pollen analyzing from samples and interpretation of them. These main subjects will discuss by means of true life event examples, manuscripts and practical applications. This lecture is nec
Course ContentNowadays in many countries, forensic palynology is in use helped by the features of spore, pollen grains and the other palynomorphs in several area such as making contact among suspect, event scene, victim and event time, to establish a connection with a proof from event scene and suspect, to evidence the crime, to justify the story of victim, to decrease the number of suspects, to help the police how to make the investigation, to clarify the several fraudulent acts, to determine the route or origine of narcotics, ect. 
References1-Bryant, V.M., Mildehall, D.C., 2001. Forensic Palynology: A New Way To Catch Crooks. EriÅŸim: [http://www.crimeandclues.com/pollen.html, EriÅŸim Tarihi: 05.01. 2007].
2-Coyle, H.M. 2005. Forensic Botany Principles and Applications To Criminal Casework. Crc Press, Boca Raton London New York Washington, D.C. 346 p.
3-Doğan, C., Karakuş, O., 2007. Türkiye?de Palinolojik Delillerin Yardımıyla Çözülen İlk Hırsızlık Olayı, Adli Bilimler Dergisi, 6 (4):36-42.
4-Doğan, C., Adli Palinoloji, 373-395. Editör: Oğuz Karakuş, 2011. Adli Bilimler, Adalet Yayınevi, Ankara, 2011, 626 s.
5-Doğan, C., Kızılpınar, İ. 2009. Adli Bilimler Çalıştayı, Adli Palinoloji Nedir. Hacettepe Üniversitesi, Hacettepe Üniversitesi Hastaneleri Basımevi, Ankara. s., 61-90.
 

Course outline weekly

WeeksTopics
Week 1The history and application of forensic palynology (T) Examining the general features of pollen and spores under microscope (P)
Week 2Pollen and spores- What, where and why? Biological role of the pollen (T) Examining the differences between pollen and spore under microscope (P)
Week 3Morphological features of pollen: Size, shape, aperture type, sculpture, composition and strength of pollen wall, structure of pollen wall (T) Examining the morphological featrures of pollen under microscope (P)
Week 4Pollen production and distribution: Pollination by means of water (Hydrogamy), Self-pollination (Autogamy), Pollination by animals/insects (Zoogamy), Wind pollination (Anemogamy) (T) Comparative examination of pollens of plants which have different p
Week 5Pollen analysis-How it works, Identification of palynomorphs-Fingerprints of locations (T) Pollen identification from mixed pollen slides (P)
Week 6I. Midterm
Week 7Sample preparation for pollen analysis, Interpreting the pollen analysis according to forensic palynology (T) Sample preparation for pollen analysis, Pollen identification from mixed pollen slides (P)
Week 8The significance of the evidence, Situations in which palynology can assist an investigation, Type of samples, Control samples, Forensic pollen samples, Soil, dirt, and dust, Case history: muddy motorbike (T) Preperation of pollen slides from soil sa
Week 9Clothing and woven material, Case history: algal assault, Fiber from rope, carpets, fur, and animal and human hair, Case history: sheepish sale (T) Preperation of pollen slides from textile samples and their investigation (P)
Week 10Illicit drugs, Case history: canned by Cannabis pollen, Case history: traveling cocaine, Packing materials, Case history: soiled machinery (T) Preperation of pollen slides from packing material samples and their investigation (P)
Week 11Comparison of pollen assemblages from control and exhibit samples (T) Examining the pollen slides from different places and from same place, and comparing them to each other (P)
Week 12Sample collection and storage, Pollen control samples, Collection of pollen from soil, mud, and water samples, Storage of soil, mud, and water samples (T) Methods for sample collection and storage (P)
Week 13Plant reference samples, Collection and storage of plant reference specimens, The use of multiple collection and extraction methods (T) Plant reference samples, Collection and storage of plant reference specimens, The use of multiple collection and e
Week 14Examination of forensic samples, The future of forensic palynology, Case history: Cereal points to serial rapist, Case history: hobbled by Hypericum, Case history: Nothofagus noticed (T) Composing a case and investigating the case according to forens
Week 15Preperation for final exam
Week 16Final exam

Assesment methods

Course activitiesNumberPercentage
Attendance00
Laboratory00
Application00
Field activities00
Specific practical training00
Assignments00
Presentation00
Project00
Seminar00
Midterms140
Final exam160
Total100
Percentage of semester activities contributing grade succes040
Percentage of final exam contributing grade succes060
Total100

WORKLOAD AND ECTS CALCULATION

Activities Number Duration (hour) Total Work Load
Course Duration (x14) 14 2 28
Laboratory 14 3 42
Application000
Specific practical training000
Field activities000
Study Hours Out of Class (Preliminary work, reinforcement, ect)14684
Presentation / Seminar Preparation000
Project000
Homework assignment14570
Midterms (Study duration)11515
Final Exam (Study duration) 12020
Total Workload5851259

Matrix Of The Course Learning Outcomes Versus Program Outcomes

D.9. Key Learning OutcomesContrubition level*
12345
1. Improves knowledge in proficiency level based on the undergraduate level in biology or different disciplines and analyses by using the statistic methods and interprets them.    X
2. Uses theoretical and practical knowledge obtained from his/her field in proficiency level   X 
3. Interprets the knowledge that obtained from his/her field with integrating the acquired knowledge from the other disciplines and comprises new knowledge.    X
4. Sorts out the encountered problems on his/her field by using the investigation methods.   X 
5. Conducts a study which requires specialization in his/her field independently   X  
6. Improves new strategies to solve encountered and unpredictable complex problems in his/her field by taking responsibility   X 
7. Evaluates the proficiency level knowledge and skills in his/her field in a critical approach and processes his/her learning.   X 
8. Uses informatics and communication technologies with the computer software required in his/her field   X 
9. Has the ability of minding social, scientific, cultural and ethical values in the levels of collecting, interpreting, applying and announcing the data in his/her field.   X 
10. Evaluates the important people, events and cases by minding the results, which take in part in the improvement of his/her field.   X 

*1 Lowest, 2 Low, 3 Average, 4 High, 5 Highest