Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 300873

Coordinator Brenden Riley Opens in new window

Description A substantial amount of forensic evidence used in the prosecution of criminal cases is initially established at the crime scene. Recognising, detecting, recovering, preserving and recording this evidence forms a critical function within forensic science and criminal investigation. This subject introduces the student to a range of crime scene practices that provides the knowledge and skill to interpret a complex scene with voluminous detail, into a more specifically targeted range of forensic evidence items. This subject will explore aspects of crime scene investigation including; crime scene processes, recognition of evidence, documentation of crime scenes, evidence detection and enhancement, and maintaining evidence integrity. It also introduces professional practices associated with maintaining evidence integrity and continuity.

School Science

Discipline Forensic Science

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Pre-requisite(s) NATS 1003

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 3589 Bachelor of Science (Forensic Science), 3562 Bachelor of Science (Advanced Science) (Forensic Science) or MT3022 Forensic Science and successfully completed 60 credit points.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Describe what constitutes the determination of a crime scene.
2. Articulate the concepts of the CSI Effect within the criminal justice system.
3. Apply a range of evidence enhancement and preservation methods.
4. Apply professional practices associated with maintaining evidence integrity and continuity.
5. Conduct a complete forensic examination of a crime scene.
6. Apply a range of field-portable equipment and interpret information provided by these techniques in relation to the crime scene.
7. Report evidence and conclusions from crime scene investigations accurately and correctly in an appropriate format.

Subject Content

1. Crime scene investigation (CSI) principles
2. Scene documentation paradigm involving contemporaneous note taking, sketching and photography
3. Detection, collection and preservation of evidence
4. Documenting identification features in post mortem examinations
5. Application of CSI principles to outdoor scenes
6. Problems that arise from media portrayals of forensic procedures (?eCSI effect?f) within the criminal judicial system
7. Biological evidence
8. Blood reagents and evidence enhancement
9. Presumptive testing of scene evidence, including the use of field-portable equipment