School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Forensic Skills
  • Unit Code

    SCH2143
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Jemma Ann BERRY

Description

Working in the forensic field requires a high level of proficiency across several skill sets. This unit introduces techniques and theories considered essential for working in a forensic environment. The topics are introduced under four broad categories: crime scene techniques, basic forensic laboratory techniques, microbiological techniques and microscope techniques.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate compliance with laboratory safety policies, including safe weapons handling.
  2. Apply appropriate laboratory protocols to the analysis of forensic specimens.
  3. Apply scientific theory and knowledge to appropriately collect and analyse forensic samples.
  4. Communicate forensic findings through evidence-based laboratory reports using scientific conventions.

Unit Content

  1. Scientific communication.
  2. Case studies and miscarriages of justice.
  3. Firearms, ammunition and weapons handling.
  4. Identification and individualisation of evidence.
  5. Fingerprinting.
  6. Microbiology and microscopy.
  7. Blood composition and identification.
  8. Forensic photography.
  9. Crime scene processing.
  10. Basic Forensic laboratory techniques.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ReportAssignment20%
TestPractical and safety skill assessment.40%
TestTheory test40%

Core Reading(s)

  • Saferstein, R. (2019). Forensic science : from the crime scene to the crime lab (Fourth Edition.). Hoboken: Pearson. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/888165388

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCH2143|2|1

School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Forensic Skills
  • Unit Code

    SCH2143
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Jemma Ann BERRY

Description

Working in the forensic field requires a high level of proficiency across several skill sets. This unit introduces techniques and theories considered essential for working in a forensic environment. The topics are introduced under four broad categories: crime scene techniques, basic forensic laboratory techniques, microbiological techniques and microscope techniques.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate compliance with laboratory safety policies, including safe weapons handling.
  2. Apply appropriate laboratory protocols to the analysis of forensic specimens.
  3. Apply scientific theory and knowledge to appropriately collect and analyse forensic samples.
  4. Communicate forensic findings through evidence-based laboratory reports using scientific conventions.

Unit Content

  1. Scientific communication.
  2. Case studies and miscarriages of justice.
  3. Firearms, ammunition and weapons handling.
  4. Identification and individualisation of evidence.
  5. Fingerprinting.
  6. Microbiology and microscopy.
  7. Blood composition and identification.
  8. Forensic photography.
  9. Crime scene processing.
  10. Basic Forensic laboratory techniques.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ReportAssignment20%
TestPractical and safety skill assessment.40%
ExaminationExamination40%

Core Reading(s)

  • Saferstein, R. (2019). Forensic science : from the crime scene to the crime lab (Fourth Edition.). Hoboken: Pearson. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/888165388

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCH2143|2|2