TNMU Students Visited Ternopil Research Forensic Expert Centre and State Medical Service of Ukraine

Excursions for the 5th-year students and teachers of TNMU Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry to the Ternopil Research Forensic Expert Centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Medical Service of Ukraine have already become a good tradition. In particular, on February 29 and March 5, 2024, the 5th-year students of the Faculty of Pharmacy while studying elective course “Practical Training by Specialization: Pharmaceutical Chemistry” had an introductory excursion to the Ternopil Research Forensic Expert Centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (RFEC). The Centre is a subdivision of the Expert Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. The excursion for TNMU students and staff was conducted within the framework of the agreement on cooperation between Ternopil National Medical University and RFEC. Currently, the Centre is the leading expert institution of Ternopil Region and specializes in technical and forensic support for investigation of criminal offenses and conducting research.

Forensic experts from the Materials, Substances and Products Research Department and the Sector of Biological Research told the students and teachers about the peculiarities of conducting forensic examinations and expert research in the areas mastered by these units.

As noted by the expert of the Materials, Substances and Products Research Department, the examination of narcotic and psychotropic substances is one of the most time-consuming and complex tasks, and it accounts for the largest volume of work. At the same time, earlier research was dominated by plant substances, now it is synthetic drugs. The guests were told about the specifics of studying specific objects, establishing their group affiliation or their common source of origin using the methods of qualitative chemical reactions, chromatography in a thin layer of sorbent and gas chromatography using a flame ionization detector (FID) and a mass selective detector (MSD).

Application of modern analytical equipment, in particular chromato-mass spectrometric complexes and of gas chromatographs makes it possible to carry out an examination in the shortest possible time and detect even the smallest amount of narcotic substances. The new X-ray fluorescence spectrometer significantly expanded the department’s arsenal of research objects.

Aspects of the technical examination of document details were discussed by Halyna Kupelska, a senior forensic handwriting expert. It provides detailed information on the establishment of the fact and the method of making changes to the document (cleaning, etching, additions, regluing of photos, letters, etc). The department also examines fake passports, diplomas, certificates, etc. by experts. Students had the opportunity to view a full-scale collection of counterfeit banknotes and vehicles identification documents. As the expert noted, the handwriting examination often becomes the key to the case, on the basis of which a decision is made about the guilt or innocence of a person.

Oleksandr Kupelskyi, head of the dactyloscopic research sector, told the audience about the features of human handprints, the process of their extraction and research. Students had the opportunity to learn about the main practical aspects of detecting, fixing and removing traces of dactyloscopic origin at the scene of the incident.

Specialists of the Centre paid special attention to the peculiarities of establishing the regional origin of hair, group and species affiliation of traces of biological origin, and establishing human genetic traits (DNA profile). Specialists conduct DNA examinations to identify the bodies of those who died as a result of armed aggression by the Russians.

Employees of the Department of Explosive and Fire Engineering Research spoke about explosive items, namely: single-use hand anti-tank grenade launchers – RPG-76, RPG-75, AT-4 and pyrotechnic copies of grenades of the American model M67 – P-67-M. He also presented the wreckage of a missile and UAV, which were recovered during inspections of the sites of events following the armed aggression of the Russian Federation.

During the event, students repeatedly asked questions about the activities of RFEC and its possibilities. They received qualified answers to all questions.

Another no less interesting and relevant excursion was the one to the State Service for Medicines and Drug Control in the Ternopil Region. The State Service for Medicinal Products and Drug Control in the Ternopil Region was created in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 355 of June 1, 2016. The head of the Ternopil Regional State Administration coordinates the activities of the Service and assists it in fulfilling the tasks assigned to the Service

Taras Proniv, head of the Service, spoke about the activities and authorities of the State Medical Service.

Acting head of the laboratory, Maria Stetsiuk, informed the students in detail about the work of the State Medical Service, the available equipment and the specifics of the laboratory’s functioning.

Students and teachers were interested in learning about the procedure for obtaining a sample of a medicinal product for laboratory analysis, issuing positive/negative conclusions, what to do when low-quality medicinal products are detected, storing reagents, keeping documentation, etc.

It was especially informative to learn the principle of operation of laboratory equipment and its scope of application, in particular, a high-performance liquid chromatograph, as well as the detection of low-quality medicinal products in pharmacies.

Many students were interested in the prospects for the development of the laboratory and the possibility of further employment in the State Medical Service.