LAW5457 Forensic evidence: Law, science, medicine and technology
Faculty of Law
LAW5457 Forensic evidence: Law, science, medicine and technology is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Law, offered in 2027 in Winter at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2027
- Winter
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
Reviews
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Requisites
Before LAW5457
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After LAW5457
No unit lists LAW5457 as a prerequisite in the 2027 handbook.
Enrolment rules
For Legal Studies students (L4004, L5004, L6013, M4037, M5031, M6040) you must have completed LAW5000 or LAW5081, and
Juris Doctor students (L6005) who commenced their course in or before 2026 must have completed a minimum of 72 credit points of study.
Juris Doctor students (L6005) who commenced their course in 2027 or later must have completed a minimum of 60 credit points of study.
Overview
This unit examines the intersection between science, medicine, technology and the law. It focuses on the issues that arise when experts give forensic evidence in legal proceedings. It includes presentations by a number of forensic experts on topics including:
- Crime scene investigation;
- Death investigation (e.g., forensic pathology; forensic odontology);
- Forensic medicine (e.g., sexual assault investigation; traffic medicine);
- Mental health examination (e.g., forensic psychiatry; forensic psychology);
- Pattern evidence (e.g., fingerprints; ballistics; toolmarks; document examination);
- Biological and chemical evidence (e.g., DNA; chemical trace evidence);
- Digital evidence (e.g., forensic computing; forensic accounting).
Offerings in 2027
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Winter semester | Clayton | On campus, block |
Assessment
- Video podcastArtefact20%
- Written assessmentWritten30%
- Research assignmentWritten50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Apply knowledge of, and understanding of a range of contemporary issues surrounding the collection, analysis and use of forensic evidence, and identify appropriate practical responses to those issues.
- 2
Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in relation to forensic evidence in a range of fields, in order to identify its current strengths and weaknesses, and the structural problems that arise in its collection, analysis and use.
- 3
Recognise and reflect upon the complex ethical issues that may arise when forensic evidence is given in legal proceedings, and the professional responsibilities of lawyers and expert witnesses in addressing these issues.
- 4
Demonstrate high level research skills and the reasoning and professional judgment required to formulate appropriate responses to complex legal problems involving forensic evidence.
- 5
Use cognitive, technical and creative skills to communicate effectively and persuasively on issues relating to forensic evidence.
- 6
Learn and work with a high level of autonomy, and use feedback to improve their own performance.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit typically comprises of a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study applicable to a 6 credit point unit. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning, and online engagement.
Learning resources
Required resources
See the Moodle unit page for prescribed and recommended resources. Prescribed texts are usually available for purchase through the University Bookstore and are sometimes available for short-term loan or as eBooks through the library.
Where it fits
LAW5457 is part of 4 areas of study in the 2027 handbook.
- CLAF-PSPECSpecialisation, Research-integrated electivesCriminal law and forensicsNo reviews yet
- DIRE-PSPECSpecialisation, Research-integrated electivesDispute resolutionNo reviews yet
- HLAC-PSPECSpecialisation, Research-integrated electivesHealth law and communityNo reviews yet
- TCIV-PSPECSpecialisation, Research-integrated electivesTechnology and innovationNo reviews yet
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for LAW5457?
LAW5457 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is LAW5457 offered?
In 2027, LAW5457 runs in Winter at Clayton.
Does LAW5457 have an exam?
No. LAW5457 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include LAW5457?
LAW5457 is part of Criminal law and forensics; Dispute resolution; Health law and community; and Technology and innovation.