Forensic medicine

TOPICS

Forensic pathology

Assessment of post-mortem injuries, including the methods and timing of occurrence, utilizing experimental approaches, with the integration of artificial intelligence tools for enhanced analysis.

Analysis of femicide cases and violent deaths involving vulnerable individuals.

Application of innovative imaging techniques, including CT scans, MRI, thermography, and Doppler ultrasound to the study of cadavers.

Comprehensive study of Sudden Cardiac Death through a multi-disciplinary approach, encompassing biochemical, molecular, genetic, and toxicological analyses, as well as macroscopic, microscopic, and ultrastructural cardiopathological examinations.

Evaluation of the coronary circulation through the application of post-mortem imaging techniques.

Design and development of a cloud-based database for medico-legal post-mortem activities.

Morphological study on cadaveric tissues for the estimation of the time of death (in collaboration with Mirella Falconi, DIBINEM).

Forensic genetics

Analysis of autosomal gene polymorphisms and lineage markers for the purpose of personal identification (DNA profiling) and kinship studies. Application to degraded biological traces.

Forensic genetics analysis in collaboration with the ancient DNA laboratory (Professor Donata Luiselli, Ravenna).

Forensic pharmacogenetic analysis (polymorphism of genes CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2B6) on traces and biological samples from patients for personalized therapy. Forensic pharmacogenetic analysis in cases of sudden death and acute narcotic poisoning.

Validation of software systems for interpreting genetic profiles in complex cases involving mixed traces and Low-Template DNA.

RNA analysis for the identification of biological fluids and the detection of markers related to stress response, hypoxia, and substance abuse, with the aim of determining the time and the manner of death.

Forensic Toxicology

Validation and application of analytical methods for the detection of drugs of abuse and/or psychotropic substances in complex biological matrices for forensic purposes.

 Analysis of drugs related to drug-facilitated crimes, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, and other offenses against individuals.

Forensic toxicological analysis for certification purposes (fitness for driving, workplace drug testing, firearm possession).

Hair analysis to assess substances exposure: traditional drugs of abuse (cocaine, amphetamines, methampethamines, cannabinoids, opioids, methadone), new psychoactive substances (NPS), and pharmaceuticals.

Analysis of markers of chronic alcohol abuse (ethyl glucuronide in hair and urine).

Determination of persistent organic pollutants (i.e. PFAS) in biological matrices (hair, blood, tissues).

Analysis of fluids and cadaveric tissues upon request from the Judicial Authority to support forensic investigations to ascertain the cause and manner of death.

Analysis of seized materials (powders, capsules, etc.) for forensic purposes.

CLINICAL FORENSIC MEDICINE: abuse and domestic violence

Training programs for healthcare professionals addressing issues of child abuse, violence against women, and abuse of the older people.

Collaboration with the judicial authorities in cases involving sexual assault, domestic violence, homicide, and other crimes against individuals.

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS/MEDICAL-LEGAL CONTROVERSIES

Assessment of Healthcare Professionals' Liability in Light of Recent Legislation 24/2017 e della legge 219/17 «Norme in materia di consenso informato e di disposizioni anticipate di trattamento ».

Collaboration with the Civil and Criminal Judicial Authority in cases of forensic interest.

CLINICAL BIOETHICS

Training of healthcare professionals and research activities on end-of-life decisions, shared decision-making, and bioethical considerations regarding individual autonomy in relation to clinical trials and treatments.

SLEEP FORENSICS

Medico-legal aspects of sleep disorders: disability, violent behaviors during sleep, fitness to drive, with a particular focus on narcolepsy.

Other components:

Dott.ssa Federica Fersini

International collaborations:

• Walther Parson, Institut für Gerichtliche Medizin der Medizinischen Universität Innsbruck (GMI) 
• EuroforGene NoE 
• Alain Verstraete, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University Hospital 
• Michael Tsokos, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin 
• Carlos H. Schenck, University of Minnesota