LAW4304 · Forensic evidence: Law, science, medicine and technology

Overview

This unit examines the interaction between science, medicine, technology and the law. It focuses on the issues that arise when experts give forensic evidence in legal proceedings. Each week experts will present lectures about their areas of expertise. Topics include: • field investigations (e.g., crime scene investigation, fire and explosion investigation); • death investigations (e.g., forensic pathology, forensic odontology, forensic anthropology); • forensic medicine (e.g., investigation of adult and child sexual assault); • mental health evidence (e.g., forensic psychiatry, forensic psychology); • comparison evidence (e.g., fingerprints, ballistics, toolmarks, document examination); • biological and chemical evidence (e.g., DNA, drug analysis, chemical trace evidence); • technological evidence (e.g., digital evidence, AV evidence).

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

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. Identify and articulate the challenges presented and the tensions which arise when forensic evidence is tendered in legal proceedings.
2. Critically assess forensic evidence in a range of fields, in order to identify its strengths and weaknesses.
3. Recognise and reflect upon the ethical issues that may arise when forensic evidence is given in legal proceedings, and the professional responsibilities of lawyers in addressing these issues.
4. Demonstrate research skills and the reasoning and professional judgment required to formulate appropriate responses to complex legal problems involving forensic evidence.
5. Communicate effectively and persuasively on issues relating to forensic evidence.
6. Learn and work autonomously and use feedback to improve their own performance.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

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