Forensic Science 2 (8779.3)

Please note these are the 2018 details for this unit
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Forensic Science 2
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Science And Technology
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Academic Program Area - Science Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit covers aspects of professional standards and quality assurance as applied to forensic science, including requirements for exhibit handling, case file management, and court reports. In addition, important laboratory skills such as search room techniques, presumptive screening methods and microscopy are discussed and demonstrated. The interpretation of forensic evidence and the role of the forensic witness are emphasised. Information is provided in relation to a number of specific forensic disciplines (eg. forensic medicine/pathology, forensic toxicology, and disaster victim identification) as well as future prospects (forensic R and D).

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Apply a knowledge of professional practice and quality assurance with respect to the forensic science discipline;
2. Express an opinion, as a forensic witness, in the form of a written case report, with confidence and clarity;
3. Collate, analyse, evaluate, interpret and present information from forensic examinations;
4. Implement and evaluate strategies for the resolution of problems in forensic science casework;
5. Work with others as part of a group;
6. Have the ability to cope with uncertainty;
7. Act responsibly, ethically and with integrity in the context of the forensic science discipline; and
8. Accept service to the community as the primary purpose for a professional life as a forensic scientist.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas


Prerequisites

8778 Forensic Science 1.

Corequisites

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

General understanding of forensic science (as covered in the pre-requisite unit).
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
Not available

Required texts

The following text books will be used in the unit and are all available online via Reading List tab on the Unit Canvas site. Note that specified reading (on Canvas) from these sources can be examined in the quizzes and other assessment items. 

Students may wish to purchase their own copy of these texts for use in this and other units, however, all required reading will be made available via Canvas.

  • Jackson, A.R.W. and Jackson, J.M. (2016). Forensic Science. 4th Edition. Pearson Education Ltd. (ISBN 9781292088235). Limited online via UC Library website.
  • Johnson, C.S. (2017) Science for the curious photographer : an introduction to the science of photography. Second edition. 2017, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group,.
  • Mancini, K. (n.d.) Fundamentals of forensic photography: practical techniques for evidence documentation on location and in the laboratory. John Sidoriak (ed.). CRC Press.
  • Robertson, J.R., Roux, C. & Wiggins, K.G. (2017) Forensic examination of fibres /. Third edition. J. Robertson, Claude Roux, & Kenneth G. Wiggins (eds.). Boca Raton, Florida, CRC Press.
  • Robertson, J. &  Brooks E., J.R. (2021) A Practical Guide To The Forensic Examination Of Hair, CRC press.
  • Butler, J.M. (2009) Fundamentals of forensic DNA typing. Burlington, Elsevier Science.
  • Adam. Negrusz & Gail A. A. Cooper (eds.) (2013) Clarke's analytical forensic toxicology. 2nd ed. London, Pharmaceutical Press.
  • Adrian. Linacre (ed.) (2009) Forensic science in wildlife investigations. Boca Raton, CRC Press.
  • Jay A. Siegel (ed.) (2016) Forensic chemistry: fundamentals and applications. West Sussex, England, Wiley Blackwell.
  • Bernard Robertson, G. A. Vignaux, Charles E. H. Berger. (2016) Interpreting Evidence: Evaluating Forensic Science in the Courtroom.  2nd edition,  Wiley 2016.
  • Illes, M. and P. Wilson (2020). The Scientific Method in Forensic Science. Canadian Scholars.

Submission of assessment items

Special assessment requirements

In order to obtain a pass grade or better, students must:

  • Attempt all assessment items
  • Meet participation requirements outlined in Section 6c of this Unit Outline
  • Obtain a minimum aggregate mark of 50% across all assessment items

The unit convener reserves the right to question students orally on any of their submitted work.

In order to achieve a good grade students need to attend all lectures and ask questions. More importantly, the material that can be assessed in the assessments is not limited to just the lecture material but can include material from the reading material, the lab activities, the mock case work or any discussion or activities in the unit.  

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Force Majeure in relation to lecture delivery and recording.

At times unforeseen circumstances may cause lectures not to be recorded (e.g. failing equipment) and/or lecturers not be able to deliver their lectures (e.g. case or court duties). In such cases the lecture slides, video recordings and/or the compulsory reading will form the source material for the relevant assessments, and staff will endeavour to organise an extra activity to revise for the specific topic if required.

Learner engagement

The nominal workload for this unit is assumed to be 150 hours across the semester. Contact hours consist of one lecture (12x2=24) and one laboratory session each week (8x2=16). The remaining hours (110) in the nominal workload should be should be allocated to completing assessments that are not part of scheduled sessions, preparing for scheduled classes and completing required readings/video recordings. It is recommeded that apportioning time to these activites should consider the weighting of assessment items, the length of the class being prepared for, and each student's individual learning style.

Participation requirements

Participation in laboratory/practical classes is a compulsory condition of this unit and attendance will be documented. Students must:

  • Attend and participate in all practical/laboratory sessions
    • Failure to participate in the laboratory activities or failure to submit related assessment components will be considered a non-attendance at that laboratory session at the discretion of the unit convener
    • Absence from practical/laboratory sessions (to a maximum of two sessions) is only permitted with written/electronic permission from Unit Convener on the basis of a medical certificate or other matter at the Unit Convener's discretion
    • Any unauthorized absence leads to failing the unit

In the event that a student cannot attend a class due to illness or unaviodable commitments, they are required to contact the Unit Convener as soon as possible.

Required IT skills

Familiarity with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and internet browsers is necessary.

In-unit costs

A clean laboratory coat and safety glasses will be required and can be purchased from the UC shop. 

Work placement, internships or practicums

None.

Additional information

Foundation of Unit

This unit involves practitioner-led education. There are active and retired forensic practitioners and researchers delivering this unit who are able to engage students in deep and active learning and transmit to students their passion for the work they are carrying out.

Provision of information to the group

Notifications through the Canvas Announcements Forum or the Canvas Discussion Forums are deemed to be made to the whole class.  It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they check for announcements on the Unit's Canvas website.  Students should ensure they check their student email regularly.  The Canvas discussion forums will be checked by staff regularly.

Use of student email account

The University Email policy states that "students wishing to contact the University via email regarding administrative or academic matters need to send the email from the University account for identity verification purposes".  Therefore all unit enquiries should be emailed using a student university email account. Students should contact servicedesk@canberra.edu.au if they have any issues accessing their university email account.

In all cases of absence, sickness or personal problems it is the student's responsibility to ensure that the unit Convener is informed. The minimum participation requirement must be met in order to pass the unit (regardless of supporting documentation).