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. It isn't offered in 2023. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2023
- Not offered
- Assessment
- Exam 30%
- and 2 other tasks
This is the 2023 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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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 2023 handbook.
Enrolment rules
For Legal Studies students (L4004, L5004, L6013, M4037, M5031, M6040) you must have completed LAW5000 or LAW5081
and
For Juris Doctor students (L6005), you must have completed 72 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 2023
The 2023 handbook lists no offerings for LAW5457.
Assessment
- Video podcastPresentation20%
- Take home exam30%
- Research assignment50%
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
24 contact hours per semester (either intensive, semi-intensive or semester long, depending on the Faculty resources, timetabling and requirements). Students will be expected to do reading set for class, and to undertake additional research and reading applicable to a 6 credit point unit.
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 2023 handbook.
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for LAW5457?
LAW5457 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is LAW5457 offered?
LAW5457 has no offerings listed in the 2023 handbook.
Does LAW5457 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 30% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include LAW5457?
LAW5457 is part of Criminal law and forensics; Dispute resolution; Health law and community; and Technology and innovation.