Independent Guided Study

Transcription

1 MODULE DESCRIPTOR TITLE Trace Evidence and Law SI MODULE CODE L CREDITS 20 LEVEL 5 JACS CODE F410 SUBJECT GROUP Biosciences DEPARTMET Biosciences MODULE LEADER Dr Rosalind Wolstenholme MODULE STUD HOURS (based on 10 hours per credit) Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities Placement (if applicable) Independent Guided Study MODULE AIM Total umber of Study Hours The aim of this module is to introduce students to the methods for recovering trace evidence, the instrumental methods used for analysis and the ability to interpret them statistically. The legal rules that govern the use of expert evidence in criminal cases will be introduced. The module will give greater understanding of law and forensic evidence as relate to forensic scientists, with regard to the accreditation components of the Forensic Science Society MODULE LEARIG OUTCOMES By engaging successfully with this module a student will be able to 1. describe sample recovery and preparation strategies in the laboratory 2. describe and rationalise the uses of specialised analytical techniques, particularly with relation to trace evidence and perform basic interpretation 3. report on findings with some critical discussion of results 4. explain differing types of evidence and their treatment by the law 5. explain the legal rules governing admissibility of expert evidence 6. demonstrate an understanding of how to prepare for and respond to both direct and cross-examination IDICATIVE COTET to show you how samples gathered at scenes of crime or mishap may be prepared and examined introduction to specialised analytical techniques with particular relevance to Forensic Science and related areas to consider how results from such examinations may be interpreted to encourage you to develop a critical approach to the consideration of results Defining evidence Opinion evidence Hearsay Criminal Litigation pre-trial: Criminal Procedure Rules, personnel Presentation of evidence - roles of advocates & witnesses (inc guest speakers) Forensic laboratory practice - personnel & facilities Forensic quality systems

2 Materials - function - type and structure - inorganic and organic Visualisation at different levels - optical & electron microscopy Identification - materials characterisation (DSC, TGA, microspectrometry, X-ray) Court visits - case study LEARIG AD TEACHIG METHODS Students will be supported in their learning, to achieve the above outcomes, in the following ways by provision of a structured learning guide by lectures on individual topics, linking with material presented in other modules such as Forensic Chemistry and Forensic Biology and Pathology. by use of expert guest lectures with experience of presenting evidence in various courts to illustrate key competencies visit to Crown Court This module will be linked to the practical activities in Professional and Scientific Practice 2 as follows: o you will be briefed on a case, examine the samples submitted and prepare reports on your work o trace evidence o analytical strategy development o experiment planning o data handling and evaluation, including statistical tests o data interpretation in the light of the original problem o law of evidence by embedding of reflection-development exercises in each major activity students will prepare a witness statement from the case in the practical module, and prepare a mock court as a group. ASSESSMET STRATEG AD TASK IFORMATIO o. Short Description of 1 Preparation of statement and mock court scenario SI Code EX/CW/PR Weighting % Word Count or Exam Duration CW words + 10 min presentation 2 Exam Ex 60 3h In-module retrieval available FEEDBACK Students will receive feedback on their performance in the following ways written feedback will be provided on a draft of the report written feedback on completed expert report verbal and written feedback on oral presentation in court feedback on the examination will be provided in-line with university policy LEARIG RESOURCES (ICLUDIG READIG LISTS) Books Jackson & Jackson, 2011, Forensic Science, 3rd ed. Pearson, Harlow.

3 (This book has a companion website at: Lucy, D Introduction to Statistics for Forensic Scientists Wiley, Chichester, ISB Townley, L. and Ede, R., Forensic Practice in Criminal Cases, The Law Society, London, 2004 Keane, The Modern Law of Evidence, 6 th ed. Oxford. White, P. C. Ed, 2004, Crime Scene to Court 2nd Ed, RSC, ISB Munday Core Text Evidence, 6 th ed. Oxford Scientific journals Science and Justice (Forensic Science Society/Elsevier) Forensic Science International (Elsevier) Journal of Forensic Sciences (American Academy of Forensic Sciences) Forensic Science Communications (FBI) ( Important Document Forensic Science Regulator - Codes of Practice and Conduct This document will have large influence on the future of forensic service provision. Scientific papers Brettell TA et al, (2011) Forensic Science, Analytical Chemistry, 83, pp (paper is a review which contains many useful references) Association of Forensic Science Providers (2009), Standards for the formulation of evaluative forensic science expert opinion, Science and Justice -Journal of the Forensic Science Society, 49, pp Berger, EH et al (2011) Evidence evaluation: A response to the court of appeal judgment in R v T,, Science and Justice -Journal of the Forensic Science Society, 51 pp43 49

4 SECTIO 2 MODULE IFORMATIO FOR STAFF OL MODULE DELIVER AD ASSESSMET MAAGEMET IFORMATIO MODULE STATUS - IDICATE IF A CHAGES BEIG MADE EW MODULE EXISTIG MODULE - O CHAGE Title Change Level Change Credit Change Assessment Pattern Change Change to Delivery Pattern Date the changes (or new module) will be implemented 09/2013 MODULE DELIVER PATTER Give details of the start and end dates for each module. If the course has more than one intake, for example, September and January, please give details of the module start and end dates for each intake. Module Begins Module Ends Course Intake 1 09/ /2014 Course Intake 2 A A Course Intake 3 A A Is timetabled contact time required for this module? Are any staff teaching on this module non-shu employees? If yes, please give details of the employer institution(s) below Forensic Science Practitioners and/or Police What proportion of the module is taught by these non-shu staff, expressed as a percentage? variable 5-10% MODULE ASSESSMET IFORMATIO Indicate how the module will be marked *Overall PERCETAGE Mark of 40% *Overall PASS / FAIL Grade *Choose one only module cannot include both percentage mark and pass/fail graded tasks SUB-TASKS Will any sub-tasks (activities) be used as part of the assessment strategy for this module? If sub-tasks / activities are to be used this must be approved within the Faculty prior to approval. Sub-task / activity marks will be recorded locally and extenuating circumstances, extensions, referrals and deferrals will not apply to sub-tasks / activities. FIAL TASK According to the Assessment Information shown in the Module Descriptor, which task will be the LAST TASK to be taken or handed-in? (Give task number as shown in the Assessment Information Grid in Section 1 of the Descriptor) MODULE REFERRAL STRATEG - TASK FOR TASK BASIS o. 2

5 CHECKED Date Aug 2012 Reason Checked Against SI