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  2. Advanced Forensic Skills [SCH3216]

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

    Advanced Forensic Skills

  • Unit Code

    SCH3216

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit will introduce students to advanced forensic techniques, analysis of crime scene markings and identification of biological samples. The unit will also include description of the latest theoretical knowledge underpinning forensic DNA methodologies and the technology employed in preparation and analysis.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 unit from SCH2143

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse blood spatter patterns.
  2. Apply knowledge and demonstrate understanding of the development of fingerprinting techniques and further forensic fingerprint tests.
  3. Differentiate techniques used to forensically isolate and examine biological samples.
  4. Discuss and apply knowledge of biological sample collection prior to examination.
  5. Explain how documents are examined forensically at the gross and microscopic level.
  6. Explain the use of ballistics in forensic investigations.
  7. Identify and analyse crime scene markings.
  8. Identify biological samples.
  9. Understand the different photographic techniques applicable to forensics.
  10. Understand why different storage techniques are applicable to storing various samples.
  11. Utilise statistical methods to demonstrate relevant/irrelevant DNA data to professionals.

Unit Content

  1. Advanced fingerprinting.
  2. Advanced forensic photography.
  3. Ballistics and trajectory determination.
  4. Collision investigation.
  5. Forensic DNA data presentation and submission.
  6. Forensic handwriting and document analysis.
  7. Hair and fibre analysis.
  8. Identification of forensic markings at crime scenes/vehicles.
  9. Introduction to blood spatter analysis.
  10. Introduction to human biological sample identification.
  11. Sample collection and storage.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical laboratory classes.

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 Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentLaboratory reports20%
PresentationOral presentation10%
ExaminationTheory35%
ExaminationPractical35%

Text References

  • ^ Saferstein, R. (2009). Forensic science: From crime scene to the crime lab. Pearson Education.
  • ^ Langford, A., Dean, J., Reed, R., Holmes, D., Weyers, J., & Jones, A. (2005). Practical skills in forensic science. New Jersey. Prentice Hall.
  • Petraco, N., & Sherman, H. (2006). Illustrated guide to crime scene investigation. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group.
  • Siegel, J.A. (2007). Forensic science: The basics. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group.
  • Gardner, R.M. (2005). Practical crime scene processing and investigation. Boca Raton, London: CRC Press.
  • Warlow, T.A. (1996). Firearms, the law and forensic ballistics. London: CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group.

Journal References

  • Journal of Forensic Identification
  • Australian Journal of Forensic Science
  • Forensic Science International
  • Journal of the Forensic Science Society
  • Journal of Forensic Science

^ Mandatory reference

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.

SCH3216|1|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

    Advanced Forensic Skills

  • Unit Code

    SCH3216

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit will introduce students to advanced forensic techniques, analysis of crime scene markings and identification of biological samples. The unit will also include description of the latest theoretical knowledge underpinning forensic DNA methodologies and the technology employed in preparation and analysis.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 unit from SCH2143

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse blood spatter patterns.
  2. Apply knowledge and demonstrate understanding of the development of fingerprinting techniques and further forensic fingerprint tests.
  3. Differentiate techniques used to forensically isolate and examine biological samples.
  4. Discuss and apply knowledge of biological sample collection prior to examination.
  5. Explain how documents are examined forensically at the gross and microscopic level.
  6. Explain the use of ballistics in forensic investigations.
  7. Identify and analyse crime scene markings.
  8. Identify biological samples.
  9. Understand the different photographic techniques applicable to forensics.
  10. Understand why different storage techniques are applicable to storing various samples.
  11. Utilise statistical methods to demonstrate relevant/irrelevant DNA data to professionals.

Unit Content

  1. Advanced fingerprinting.
  2. Advanced forensic photography.
  3. Ballistics and trajectory determination.
  4. Collision investigation.
  5. Forensic DNA data presentation and submission.
  6. Forensic handwriting and document analysis.
  7. Hair and fibre analysis.
  8. Identification of forensic markings at crime scenes/vehicles.
  9. Introduction to blood spatter analysis.
  10. Introduction to human biological sample identification.
  11. Sample collection and storage.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical laboratory classes.

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 Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentLaboratory reports20%
PresentationOral presentation10%
ExaminationTheory35%
ExaminationPractical35%

Text References

  • ^ Saferstein, R. (2009). Forensic science: From crime scene to the crime lab. Pearson Education.
  • ^ Langford, A., Dean, J., Reed, R., Holmes, D., Weyers, J., & Jones, A. (2005). Practical skills in forensic science. New Jersey. Prentice Hall.
  • Petraco, N., & Sherman, H. (2006). Illustrated guide to crime scene investigation. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group.
  • Siegel, J.A. (2007). Forensic science: The basics. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group.
  • Gardner, R.M. (2005). Practical crime scene processing and investigation. Boca Raton, London: CRC Press.
  • Warlow, T.A. (1996). Firearms, the law and forensic ballistics. London: CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group.

Journal References

  • Journal of Forensic Identification
  • Australian Journal of Forensic Science
  • Forensic Science International
  • Journal of the Forensic Science Society
  • Journal of Forensic Science

^ Mandatory reference

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.

SCH3216|1|2