From March 7 to 13, 2025, 5th-year students of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Ternopil National Medical University had the opportunity to visit the state-of-the-art laboratory complex at the Ternopil Research Forensic Science Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine as part of their elective course “Industrial Practice in Pharmaceutical Chemistry”. This modern facility was officially opened in December 2024.
Structure of the Laboratory Complex
The complex consists of two central departments:
The Biological Research and Records Sector The Department of Material, Substance, and Product Research
Specialists from the Department of Material, Substance, and Product Research introduced students and faculty members to forensic examination methods and expert research conducted in their division.
They explained the specifics of analyzing various substances to determine their group classification or origin, using advanced techniques such as:
Qualitative chemical reactions Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) Gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization and mass-selective detectors
Students learned about the cutting-edge analytical equipment available in the laboratory, including chromato-mass spectrometry complexes and gas chromatographs, which enable rapid forensic analysis and the detection of even trace amounts of narcotic substances. Experts noted that forensic examinations of narcotic drugs account for the majority of cases, with 160–200 studies conducted annually, a figure increasing by 10-15% each year. The laboratory’s X-ray fluorescence spectrometer has significantly expanded the range of materials analyzed.
Insights from the Laboratory Head
The head of the laboratory complex, Vasyl Myronovych, provided an overview of the history and development of forensic laboratory research. He explained that new employees receive a 5th qualification level upon starting, which is determined by their specialization, including pharmacy graduates.
Students were also introduced to different types of forensic expertise and expert specialties, such as: Analysis of potent and toxic pharmaceutical substances Examination of special chemical compounds Detection of harmful substances in the environment Investigation of alcohol-containing mixtures Forensic analysis of narcotics, psychotropic substances, their analogs, and precursors Examination of metals, alloys, and metal products
DNA Laboratory and Biological Research Sector
Forensic expert I. Milyan presented the Biological Research and Records Sector, highlighting the significance of molecular-genetic laboratories within the Expert Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). These laboratories play a crucial role in identifying deceased military personnel and civilians affected by Russia’s military aggression.
The DNA laboratory, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, accelerates the identification process for biological materials found at crime scenes, significantly aiding criminal investigations and the identification of missing persons. The lab can process up to 100 biological samples daily, extract DNA profiles, and match them with those of relatives within 24 hours.
The Biological Research and Records Sector also collaborates with law enforcement agencies across Ukraine on criminal investigations, including cases of: Sexual assaults Thefts Homicides Kidnappings Physical assaults
This visit provided TNMU pharmacy students with valuable insights into real-world forensic research, emphasizing the role of pharmaceutical chemistry in criminal investigations and forensic toxicology.
