Introduction to Forensic Science
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 36 hours
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
2022 teaching periods
| Hawthorn Winter |
Hawthorn Higher Ed. Semester 2 | |
|---|---|---|
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Aims and objectives
This unit aims to introduce students to fundamental processes involved in forensic science. Students are introduced to the chemical and biochemical techniques used by forensic scientists to assist the judicial system to help solve crimes, or to help prove that a law has been broken. The students will be exposed to practising Forensic experts that will describe their work practises and discuss relevant examples. Students are made aware of the history of this discipline. They are also provided with an introduction to some of the legal issues associated and some of the toxicology associated with forensic science.
Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO)
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Articulate key concepts of forensic science.
2. State the major chronological landmarks in the history of forensic science.
3. Distinguish between admissible and non-admissible scientific evidence in the legal system and argue how a new scientific technique can gain acceptance in a court of law.
4. Give examples of the forensic application of Infra-Red (IR), Mass Spectroscopy (MS), High Performance Liquid. Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC) in areas such as document fraud and environmental damage.
5. Apply the general principles of forensic science to case studies related to drugs in racing, sport and the workplace.
6. Demonstrate the principles and limitations of DNA fingerprinting.
Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO)
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Articulate key concepts of forensic science.
2. State the major chronological landmarks in the history of forensic science.
3. Distinguish between admissible and non-admissible scientific evidence in the legal system and argue how a new scientific technique can gain acceptance in a court of law.
4. Give examples of the forensic application of Infra-Red (IR), Mass Spectroscopy (MS), High Performance Liquid. Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC) in areas such as document fraud and environmental damage.
5. Apply the general principles of forensic science to case studies related to drugs in racing, sport and the workplace.
6. Demonstrate the principles and limitations of DNA fingerprinting.
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
*Scheduled face to face: Lectures (24 hours), Tutorials (12 hours)
*Scheduled synchronous online Learning events (N/A)
Non-scheduled online learning events and activities (N/A)
Other non-scheduled learning events and activities including independent study (approx. 114 hours)
*Scheduled synchronous online Learning events (N/A)
Non-scheduled online learning events and activities (N/A)
Other non-scheduled learning events and activities including independent study (approx. 114 hours)
Assessment
| Types | Individual or Group task | Weighting | Assesses attainment of these ULOs |
| Short Tutorial Quizzes | Individual | 20-30% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Modern Techniques Assignment | Group | 5-15% | 4 |
| Case Studies Assignment | Group | 10-20% | 5 |
| Examination | Individual | 40-60% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
Minimum requirements to pass this unit
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass the unit and meet all Unit Learning Outcomes to a minimum standard, a student must achieve:
(i) An aggregate mark of 50% or more, and
(ii) At least 40% in the final exam.
Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) will receive a maximum of 44% as the total mark for the unit and will not be eligible for a conceded pass.
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass the unit and meet all Unit Learning Outcomes to a minimum standard, a student must achieve:
(i) An aggregate mark of 50% or more, and
(ii) At least 40% in the final exam.
Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) will receive a maximum of 44% as the total mark for the unit and will not be eligible for a conceded pass.
General skills outcomes
During this unit students will receive feedback on the following key generic skills:
• Analysis skills
• Communication skills, and
• Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
• Analysis skills
• Communication skills, and
• Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
Content
• Introduction: key concepts of forensic science, including trace and contact evidence.
• Chronological landmarks in the history of forensic science.
• Legal aspects of forensic science and the admissibility of forensic evidence in the legal system.
• Issues related to toxicology, drugs in racing, sport and the workplace.
• Forensic application of selected modern instrumentation analysis such as Infra-Red (IR), Mass Spectroscopy (MS), High Performance Liquid. Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC).
• Document Fraud and Cybercrime
• Materials, firearms, fires, explosions and human remains.
• Processes involved in DNA fingerprinting.
• Chronological landmarks in the history of forensic science.
• Legal aspects of forensic science and the admissibility of forensic evidence in the legal system.
• Issues related to toxicology, drugs in racing, sport and the workplace.
• Forensic application of selected modern instrumentation analysis such as Infra-Red (IR), Mass Spectroscopy (MS), High Performance Liquid. Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC).
• Document Fraud and Cybercrime
• Materials, firearms, fires, explosions and human remains.
• Processes involved in DNA fingerprinting.
Study resources
- Reading materials.
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required texts will be made available in the Unit Outline.