FOR4012 · Nursing, midwifery and the criminal justice system

Overview

The law of evidence is a branch of law that consists of legal rules, procedural rules and administrative arrangements whereby courts and tribunals within the justice system receive and evaluate evidence. Forensic practitioners’ must understand the legal principles that govern the admissibility of their evidence and have high order communication skills. In this unit you will gain practical skills in the preparation of medico-legal reports to be used as items of evidence, the delivery of oral evidence in courts and tribunals, and the techniques of advocacy that can influence the way in which a forensic practitioner's evidence is received by courts. Workbooks and case examples will be used to lay the academic foundations of the unit, and you will develop and demonstrate witness skills and oral communication techniques during a two-day face-to-face workshop. The latter will take the form of a moot court to develop practical skills in presenting evidence and developing strategies to deal with the medico-legal and advocacy issues that arise during the examination and cross-examination of witnesses, including expert witnesses.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Describe basic knowledge of the Australian legal system and relevant appropriate law in relation to the professional duties of forensic nurses and midwives.
2. Differentiate the types of evidence and evidentiary concepts and their application by forensic nurses and midwives.
3. Illustrate knowledge of the forensic nurse and midwife’s role as an expert witness.
4. Determine relevant techniques used to manage evidence in chief, cross examination and re-examination during oral testimony.
5. Produce industry-standard written and oral medicolegal evidence to assist the court.

Workload

5-6 hours per week of directed study and 3-4 hours per week of self-directed readings, assessment preparation and development. Attendance at and participation in two-day face-to-face (Southbank) workshop.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.