FOR5022 Advanced methods in forensic science: Emerging trends and issues
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
FOR5022 Advanced methods in forensic science: Emerging trends and issues is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. It isn't offered in 2024. It needs FOR4004, FOR4001 and FOR4003.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2024
- Not offered
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
This is the 2024 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before FOR5022
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After FOR5022
No unit lists FOR5022 as a prerequisite in the 2024 handbook.
Overview
Forensic science is essentially problem solving based on the examination of traces and compounds collected from scenes and persons.
As the traces and compounds become more complex, instrumentation used to analyse them becomes more sophisticated and sensitive and the interpretation of the results of analysis becomes more problematic.
In addition to this technical evolution, there are emerging trends and issues that will impact forensic science service provision across its broad scope.
These trends and issues that are a coming together of both 'hard' science and social science have the potential to significantly change the thinking and practice of forensic science and the way in which forensic science laboratories operate.
You will be exposed to concepts which include:
- Forensic intelligence
- Cognitive bias
- Problem solving; who, what and how
- Triage
- Sensitivity
- The science, medicine, law and law enforcement silo mentality
This on-line unit will explore these concepts, the links between many of them and their potential impact on forensic science.
Contemporary articles/texts on the concepts will be provided.
Offerings in 2024
The 2024 handbook lists no offerings for FOR5022.
Assessment
- Critical analysis of emerging trends and issues (2,000 words)Competency hurdle35%
- Research paper (2,000 words)Competency hurdle35%
- Case study (2,000 words)Competency hurdle30%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Critically evaluate the changes occurring in forensic science practice and explain these as the result of the engagement with social science and criminalistics.
- 2
Recognise the links and possible tensions between emerging issues such as forensic intelligence, triage, and cognitive bias, and how these may impact data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
- 3
Identify risks of existing insular (siloed) approaches between medicine, science, law and law enforcement and its impact on forensic science.
- 4
Understand and articulate how the proposed changes to insular work practices will affect the current forensic science work flow patterns.
- 5
Comprehend and articulate the need for the forecast changes in forensic intelligence processes, siloed workplaces, issues of bias and triage, and the benefits these changes will bring to the end-users of forensic science.
Workload and teaching
- Teaching approachActive learning
It is expected that you will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the Semester.
This will include private study (text and readings), assessment tasks (case studies, assignments), and may include involvement in case work.
You are required to attend a two day workshop during the semester.
For full details of the teaching approach to this unit, please refer to Moodle.
Learning resources
Required resources
See Moodle for details about required resources.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Richard Bassed
- Unit Coordinators
- Mr Ali Ross Ross