65316 Criminalistics
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Subject handbook information prior to 2018 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 35255 Forensic Statistics AND 65242 Principles of Forensic Science AND 65312 Forensic Imaging
Description
This subject expands on the skills and discipline knowledge introduced in 65242 Principles of Forensic Science and complements the topics covered in 65342 Crime Scene Investigation. In this subject, students learn how to analyse, interpret, and report on common forensic traces including fingermarks, object impressions, bullets and firearm cartridges, and biological materials. Students also build an awareness of the complex and changing nature of analysis and interpretation in the modern forensic science laboratory, which forms the foundation for subsequent subjects in their course. Students gain hands-on experience with the appropriate analysis, interpretation and reporting of forensic traces through practical mock cases and workshop exercises. At the end of the subject, students learn how to apply their knowledge to the triage and analysis sequence of different traces, fundamental concepts for 65314 Complex Cases and a career in forensic science.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Describe the common types of forensic traces and the basic processes that lead to their creation |
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| 2. | Identify and explain issues in forensic science and their impact on shaping modern professional practice |
| 3. | Select and apply the least destructive sequence of procedures to enhance and analyse the trace in a particular case scenario |
| 4. | Interpret and evaluate the results of forensic analyses in the context of a case scenario |
| 5. | Clearly communicate expert opinion to a lay audience in a variety of formats |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of forensic science practice, collection of traces and integration of the derived information with the security and legal system, including the use of current and emerging techniques in forensic science. (1.1)
- Apply the forensic investigative process of crime scene investigation, imaging of traces, laboratory analysis, interpretation and presentation of evidence. (1.2)
- Apply the scientific method, formulate hypotheses from chemistry or forensic-based questions, and experimental methods to test these hypotheses and incorporate results in scientifically defensible arguments. (2.1)
- Develop investigative and problem-solving skills through realistic forensic case scenarios, case studies laboratory exercises. (2.2)
- Collect, analyse, interpret and report forensic science traces using scientific instrumentation and procedures that translate directly to professional practice, both individually and in teams. (3.1)
- Apply your understanding of professional ethics, quality management and legal considerations to the handling of practical scenarios and classroom discussions. (3.3)
- Collaborate in peer learning through discussion, demonstration of laboratory techniques, reflection and implementation of feedback. (4.2)
- Use various methods to document and communicate crime scene observations, experimental results, ideas and expert opinion. (6.1)
- Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills for expert, scientific and non-scientific audiences. (6.2)
- Apply theoretical knowledge and available resources to solve unfamiliar and complex case-based scenarios. (7.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Criminalistics expands on the philosophy, methods, and interpretation skills required within the forensic science discipline. It builds on prior knowledge gained in Stages 1 and 2 (65242, 65312 and 35255) and complements learning in Crime Scene Investigation (65342), detailing what happens to forensic traces once they have been collected from the scene and transported to the laboratory. Criminalistics provides students with the opportunity to develop their problem solving, technical and communication skills within a professional context.
Graduate Attribute 1: Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application
Students will learn how to analyse and interpret various traces commonly encountered in modern forensic science case work that require an understanding of fundamental forensic science principles and enabling sciences. Students will learn about traces that cross course stream boundaries, exposing them to the broader picture of forensic science as a whole and a less siloed approach to case work management. This knowledge will be developed and practiced throughout the teaching session in active lectures, practical classes and workshops. The application of discipline knowledge is embedded in each assessment task to provide students with continued feedback and mastery opportunities.
Graduate Attribute 2: An enquiry-oriented approach
Students will investigate mock cases, present verbal and written expert testimony, and discuss the challenges associated with presenting forensic science in a modern court room using knowledge drawn from the lectures, independent learning and workshops. By forming and testing hypotheses about the source and activity that created a trace, students will build on their problem solving and critical thinking skills alongside their understanding of scientific method. These skills will be learnt, practiced and assessed throughout the semester in workshops and practicals, with further opportunities for development during lecture activities.
Graduate Attribute 3: Professional skills and their appropriate application
All mock case work in the practical sessions is performed in a professional team environment using instruments, techniques and processes applied in operational laboratories. Students will develop their professional, collaborative, and independent learning skills during practical and workshop sessions while working in multidisciplinary teams on trace types both within and outside their chosen stream of study. This approach will improve their awareness of how analytical procedures can impact on other traces and prepare students for a career in an increasingly multidisciplinary and integrated professional environment. Generic skills such as time management, critical thinking, personal organisation, and self-reflection will be developed alongside discipline-specific professional skills including laboratory proficiency, interpretation, documentation, and ethical practice. Student development of these discipline-specific professional skills will be monitored and assessed in practical and workshop activities.
Graduate Attribute 4: The ability to be a lifelong learner
Forensic science is a rapidly evolving discipline with the workplace regularly adapting to or adopting new processes, interpretation frameworks, or changing legal or accreditation requirements. Navigating and succeeding in this type of work environment requires graduates to not only be able to read and apply new techniques but also to discuss and learn from other professionals. Students in Criminalistics will practice their peer learning, discussion, and reflection capabilities formatively in practical sessions and workshops, with the class wiki designed to assess students' progress during the teaching session.
Graduate Attribute 6: Communication skills
Students will be introduced to new styles of expert opinion reporting as well as refining documentation styles learnt in 65312 Forensic Imaging and 65342 Crime Scene Investigation. Emphasis is placed on the development of students' ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to a non-expert audience in both written and oral formats - an important part of professional practice - and ongoing feedback is provided to students through the practical classes and linked assessments. Students will also develop their oral and written peer-to-peer scientific communication skills through collaborative learning in workshops and practical sessions, as well as contributing to the class wiki.
Graduate Attribute 7: Initiative and innovative ability
As part of their practical skills development and assessment, students in Criminalistics will investigate realistic case scenarios containing different types of traces. Students must work with limited background information and a trace of unknown quality, and use their knowledge, supplied instrumentation, and independent research to characterise the trace and provide an expert opinion on the likelihood of the source and activity that led to its creation. Each mock case, like a genuine case, has challenges that involve different approaches to problem solving. Through this process, supported by teaching staff, students begin to develop their initiative and ability to respond to more complex situations that will form the basis of later subjects 65314 Complex Cases and 65315 Forensic Research Project. Real-time feedback opportunities are provided in the practical sessions during the formative stages of attribute development.
Teaching and learning strategies
All learning materials, including lecture notes, additional multimedia and electronic copies of subject manuals can be found in the Subject Documents folder on UTSOnline.
Active lectures:
Lectures are scheduled for a 2 hour block in 8 of the 12 session weeks. The lectures provide students with the theoretical knowledge required to analyse, evaluate and interpret a variety of forensic traces, as well as introducing emerging techniques or concepts in forensic science. The topics discussed in these sessions provide the foundation for the workshops and practicals, where students apply their new knowledge. The lectures are broken into structured blocks of information and application/activity - facilitated by interactive online tools - with opportunities for class discussion and questions.
Workshops:
Four 2 hour workshops are scheduled during the teaching session. These workshops provide students with a smaller and supportive class environment to discuss and practice more difficult professional skills or concepts - including core and emerging scientific and evaluative principles - in collaborative groups and an opportunity to receive real-time feedback from peers and academic staff. Students are placed in charge of their own learning through self-directed workshop preparation activities and a classroom focus on discussion and application. Short post-workshop assessment activities reinforce the concepts practiced in the workshops and provide another avenue of feedback to the students.
Practicals:
Practical sessions run for 3 hours and are scheduled for 8 of the 12 session weeks. The practicals allow students to gain experience with the analysis and interpretation of a variety of forensic traces in a collaborative professional setting. Teams of students are assigned mock cases (based on realistic casework scenarios) to investigate over four 2-week periods. Students must complete the process from receipt of the items through to laboratory analysis, interpretation, and the preparation of an expert witness report. These classes are student-led with one-on-one and group support provided by teaching and professional staff. As most cases are assigned on rotation, students familiarlise themselves with the techniques required for their case scenarios by designing an examination strategy as a pre-lab activity for each new case. Students then identify propositions of interest, implement their approved examination strategy, and interpret their results in the context of their case. Students are also encouraged to seek solutions to any issues they encounter in the laboratory or unusual results they obtain. The assessment for these cases is designed to introduce students to a range of expert testimony formats.
Self-directed online learning:
Online learning modules, including quizzes and multimedia, that supplement the concepts learnt in face-to-face classes will be available on UTSOnline from week 1 onwards and can be accessed or revised at any point during the semester. The modules include interactive revision modules on core skills required in the practicals that provide immediate feedback and a glossary of terms for reference purposes. Links to further reading, podcasts and vodcasts are also provided to students to expand their learning outside of the classroom.
Content (topics)
- Detection, capture, analysis, and interpretation of common traces encountered in forensic casework (see program for breakdown).
- What are the aims of laboratory analysis? What hypotheses and inferences can be drawn about a source or activity based on these traces?
- What analytical techniques and sequences should be employed for particular types of traces? Why are these sequences important for reliable forensic science?
- What is the ACE-V process and why is its correct implementation so important for ensuring rigorous evaluation of impression traces? Does ACE-V resemble other methodologies used in forensic science?
- What is the importance of discrimination (or failure-to-discriminate) between a trace and putative sources? What are the current issues associated with the interpretation of traces and how could probabilistic approaches address these problems?
- Can traces be used for reconstructing activities? How does laboratory analysis assist in the reconstruction or activity hypothesis testing process?
- Is it possible to sequence the collection and analysis of different types of traces in more complex scenarios? What are the advantages and potential issues of taking this kind of multidisciplinary approach?
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Workshop activities
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application 2. An enquiry-oriented approach 3. Professional skills and their appropriate application |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 1.2, 2.2 and 3.3 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | Individual post-workshop activities (workshops 1 and 3): approximately 5-10 minutes. Group end-of-workshop activities (workshops 2 and 4): approximately 20 minutes. |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on your:
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Assessment task 2: Class wiki
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application 4. The ability to be a lifelong learner 6. Communication skills |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 3 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 4.2 and 6.2 |
| Type: | Demonstration |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 5% |
| Length: | The guide length is approximately 1-2 paragraphs. Ultimately, it is up to you how much you contribute. Just remember that the task is worth 5% of your total assessment grade. |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on your ability to:
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Assessment task 3: Case investigation & reporting
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application 2. An enquiry-oriented approach 3. Professional skills and their appropriate application 4. The ability to be a lifelong learner 6. Communication skills 7. Initiative and innovative ability |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 7.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Please see the reporting guide for detailed instructions and templates. |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on your ability to:
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Assessment task 4: Final exam
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application 2. An enquiry-oriented approach |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 2.2 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 2 hours + 10 minutes reading time. |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on your ability to:
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Minimum requirements
Students are required to attend the practical and workshop sessions unless special circumstances can be demonstrated. The learning activities carried out in these sessions are directly linked to assessment tasks.
Any assessment task worth 40% or more requires the student to gain at least 40% of the mark for that task. If 40% is not reached, an X grade fail may be awarded for the subject irrespective of an overall mark greater than 50%.
Required texts
The Standard Operating Procedures Manual and Expert Witness Reporting Guide are provided in hard and electronic copy to all students.
Recommended texts
A recommended reading and reference list can be found in the Expert Witness Reporting Guide on UTSOnline.
