Undergraduate Degree in Forensic and Criminal Science Egas Moniz School of Health & Science

The Egas Moniz Higher Institute of Health Science (IUEM) Undergraduate Degree in Forensic and Criminal Science offers an innovative and pioneering program in Portugal. The degree arose in response to the need to train forensic scientists with encompassing and interdisciplinary skills in the different natural sciences areas, with a strong lab component, capable of effectively analyzing a crime scene.

Forensic scientists play a vital role in the justice system by supplying scientific information that is fundamental in criminal investigation and for the courts. The work they carry out is to recognize, identify, individualize, and assess forensic traces in legal proceedings, applying the exact and natural sciences.

As professionals in criminal investigation services, forensic scientists offer a service that enhances the legal system’s response capabilities, integrating scientific and technological know-how with professional practice.

What makes us unique

• The course’s strong practical component. You have at your disposal a series of infrastructures, including a forensics laboratory, chemical testing laboratories, crime scenes, and a document analysis room, among others.
• Having internships and taking part in training courses at the various institutions with which we have cooperation agreements.
• The vocational training you will receive in photography as a complement to your overall education.
• A young and qualified teaching body that is motivated to assist you. The teaching staff includes teachers with specific training in the main areas of this degree and you will also receive classes from guest lecturers who are working in several forensic fields.
• A top-quality University Residence on campus, with numerous amenities on offer, such as a swimming pool, which ensures your well-being and safety, as if you were in your own home.
• An excellent academic environment, that is stimulating and active and includes teachers, researchers, professionals and students alike! You will attend parties, concerts, academic nights out and other initiatives organized by the Egas Moniz Student Associations, “Tunas” Groups and choir. You will also be able to practice several sports, whether at the gym or the playing field, we have on offer for you.
• Our campus’s privileged location in Almada council, 15 minutes away from Lisbon and Costa de Caparica, with excellent means of access (over-ground metro, train, and bus).

Year 1

• Quantitative Methods in Forensic Science
• Forensic Chemistry I
• Animal and Plant Biology
• Introduction to Forensic Laboratories
• General Anatomy
• Introduction to Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science
• Statistics Applied to Forensic Science
• Forensic Chemistry II
• Biochemistry
• Forensic Physics
• Physiology and Post-Mortem procedures
• Introduction to Law

Year 2

• Forensic Molecular Genetics
• Forensic Analytical Techniques I
• Substance Abuse I
• Forensic Palynology
• Crime Scene Analysis
• Sociology and Sociological Methods
• Forensic Molecular Biology
• Forensic Analytical Techniques II
• Substance Abuse II
• Advanced Methods for Crime Science Analysis
• Criminal Sociology
• Criminal Law

Year 3

• Forensic Anthropology
• Forensic Toxicology
• Forensic Psychological Evaluation
• Forensic Microbiology
• Criminal Procedural Law
• Comparing Handwriting (Option)
• Forensic Environmental Crimes (Option)
• Forensic Dentistry (Option)
• Forensic Medicine
• Methods to Analyse Toxicology in Food
• Ethics, Communication, and Court Testimonies
• Computer Crimes (Option)
• Road Crimes (Option)
• Document analysis (Option)
• Forensic Entomology (Option)
• Fire and Explosives (Option)
• Criminal Investigation Methodology (Option)
• Forensic Sexology (Option)
• Independent Study of Practical Cases

It is intended that the student acquires solid and multidisciplinary scientific training and skills to solve problems of a technological and scientific nature in forensic practice, with direct implications in a criminal investigation. Thus, the main learning goals of the degree are aimed at obtaining skills and competencies compatible with good performance in the following areas:

• Detection, preservation, and collection of trace elements at the crime scene, in accordance with current criminal procedural law.
• Development of forensic laboratory analysis strategies compatible with the trace elements collected and the ongoing criminal investigation.
• Analysis related to the identification of physical, chemical, and/or biological properties in samples/trace elements received for examination.
• Oral and written presentation of the experimental results obtained, according to the standards required by the courts.
• Integration and interpretation of the results of the various analysis carried out and their interpretation in the context of the crime scene.
• Obtaining Juridical Knowledge in the area and the sociological and psychological conditioning of human behavior.

Once you complete your course you will be able to:

• Work in laboratories dedicated to analyzing forensic traces, and carrying out sample/trace analysis (biological, chemical, toxicological, fingerprints, documents, comparing handwriting and ballistics).
• Work as an expert for insurance firms, banking institutions, lawyers’ firms, and research and development laboratories.
• Pursue an academic career, furthering your education in second and third-cycle courses specific to forensic science or crime scene investigation.
• Pursue a scientific career in fields such as Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Toxicology, and others, due to the high level of laboratory experience gained during your degree.
• Pursue your studies, for instance through post-graduate courses in this area. Under the agreement signed between IUEM and Lancashire University, there are two vacancies each for one of the post-graduate courses in the MSc in “Criminal Investigation”, “DNA Profiling”, “Document Analysis”, “Forensic and Conservation Genetics”, “Forensic Anthropology” and “Forensic Toxicology”.