Module 03
Post-Mortem Interval & Toxicology

"When did it happen?" is one of the most critical questions in any wildlife death investigation. Answering it requires field ecology, entomology, chemistry, and toxicology — disciplines that rarely sit in the same room, let alone in the same investigator.

University Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Location Amsterdam, NL
Dates 13–16 April 2027
Duration 3,5 dagen
Costs €750
Max. participants 16
About this module
Not just what happened — but when. And how to prove it.

This 3.5-day hands-on course at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences puts you in the role of a forensic investigator working a real wildlife carcass case study. From initial field recovery through to the final expert presentation.

You work through the full pipeline: determining the Post-Mortem Interval (PMI) using biological and chemical methods, volatile organic compound (VOC) profiling, and forensic toxicology to establish cause of death. When you leave, you will know not just what happened — but when, and how to prove it.

Quick facts
Fully hands-on with real wildlife case studies
Field and laboratory components combined
Entomology, VOC profiling, and toxicology
DNA isolation techniques for molecular species identification
Access to specialist forensic chemistry and toxicology facilities
Final expert presentation of findings
What you will learn
3 integrated disciplines. One conclusive answer.
Entomology & PMI Estimation

Identify key necrophagous insect species at crime scenes. Use morphological and life cycle analysis to reconstruct colonisation timelines. Apply DNA isolation techniques for molecular-level species identification. Integrate entomological data with local climate variables to calculate Estimated Time of Death (EOD).

VOC Profiling — The Science of Decomposition

Analyse volatile organic compounds released during decomposition. Create and interpret VOC profiles to refine the PMI estimate with chemical precision.

Forensic Toxicology

Secure and analyse biological samples to detect poisons and environmental toxins. Determine whether death was natural, accidental, or the result of deliberate poisoning.

Programme day by day
From field to laboratory to courtroom.
Day 1 — (half day)
Introduction to entomology · Initial case assessment · Preparation of experiments for Day 2
Day 2
Field evidence recovery · Entomology sampling · Morphological identification · DNA isolation laboratory work
Day 3
Forensic chemistry: VOC profiling · EOD calculations · PMI estimations
Day 4
Toxicology: Determining cause of death · Expert presentation of findings
Leeruitkomsten
Upon completion, you will be able to:
Safely and systematically secure tissue and entomological evidence from a crime scene
Apply morphological and genetic tools to identify insect species
Capture, analyse, and interpret VOC profiles from decomposing remains
Analyse biological samples to detect poisons and environmental toxins
Estimate the PMI using integrated biological and chemical data
Synthesise complex forensic findings into a structured expert presentation
Included
All laboratory materials and field equipment
Case study materials and data sets
Access to specialist forensic chemistry and toxicology facilities
Not included
Travel costs
Accommodation
Subsistence
Apply
Time of death is not a guess. Learn to prove it.

Spots are strictly limited to 16 participants. Selection is based on professional profile and motivation — not first-come, first-served.

Reserve Your Spot — Module 03 →

Deadline: 30 June 2026 · info@wildlifeforensic.com