HLTH SC 1000 - Introduction to Forensic Sciences

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2020

The aim of this course is to provide students with an overview of a variety of topics within the area of Forensic Sciences including Crime scene Investigation, Forensic photography, Digital Forensics, Ballistics, Fingerprinting, Court and police organisational structures and Forensic DNA analysis. Topics to be covered also include identification of the deceased and disaster victim identification structures. It is not intended to provide students with a detailed knowledge of any of these areas, but rather to give insight into how they may be applied in criminal investigations.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code HLTH SC 1000
    Course Introduction to Forensic Sciences
    Coordinating Unit Medical Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 2 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Course Description The aim of this course is to provide students with an overview of a variety of topics within the area of Forensic Sciences including Crime scene Investigation, Forensic photography, Digital Forensics, Ballistics, Fingerprinting, Court and police organisational structures and Forensic DNA analysis. Topics to be covered also include identification of the deceased and disaster victim identification structures. It is not intended to provide students with a detailed knowledge of any of these areas, but rather to give insight into how they may be applied in criminal investigations.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mrs Melissa Walker

    IFS course email address: ifs@adelaide.edu.au


    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    Full details are located in MyUni.
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:


    1. Gain knowledge and understanding of the relationship between the forensic sciences and the law


    2. Understand the methods and principals of forensic investigations and how forensic science can be applied in criminal investigations.


    3. Explain at an introductory level the organisational structures and procedures within forensic sciences


    4. Use and understand the basic terminology for forensic science correctly and contextually


    5. Gain a basic understanding of the history of forensic sciences and how forensic sciences in the real world differs from the forensic sciences in fictional depictions.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1-5
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1-5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    N/A
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    N/A
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1-5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Max M. Houck, Jay A Siegel. Fundamentals of Forensic Science, 3rd Ed. 2015 (electronic book)

    Joseph A. Prahlow and Roger W. Byard. Atlas of Forensic Pathology. 2012 (electronic book)
    Recommended Resources

    Recommended textbooks (available through the Adelaide University library) are:



    Siegel JA, Knupfer GC, Saukko PJ. Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences 3 Volumes. Academic Press, 2000, (also electronic).
    Online Learning
    There will be four online teaching modules during the semester. Each module will have questions related to that specific material.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The content of the course is delivered through lectures and online material accessable via MyUni (University online service). Some material is delivered online in a teaching module.

    Lectures will not be recorded and are not available online due to the nature of the content and the potentially sensitive material shown during the lecture. It is therefore highly recommended to attend lectures as material presented at lectures are examinable. Lecture notes will be available and each lecture (and online module) will have a short introduction video, presenting the lecturer and the learning objectives for that lecture.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    There are 2 scheduled lecture slots per week together with online material accessed through MyUni as well as required reading.
    Learning Activities Summary
    1. Gain knowledge and understanding of the relationship between the forensic sciences and the law

    Forensic science – an overview

    Crime, injury and death

    The coroner, the act and the system

    The structure of the courts



    2. Understand the methods and principals of forensic investigations and how forensic science can be applied in criminal investigations.

    Genetics

    DNA and CSI

    Digital forensics

    Forensic photography

    Alternative light sources

    Ballistics

    Ancient DNA

    Fingerprinting

    Identification of a deceased person (not DNA)

    Evidence handling

    Document and traces

    Entomology

    Profiling

    Forensic diving and underwater criminal investigations

    What on earth is a forensic pathologist

    How dangerous is traffic

    Anthropology

    Forensic odontology



    3. Understand at an introductory level the organisational structures and procedures within forensic sciences

    Crime scene investigations – a police perspective

    Interpol and police organisations

    DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) – global perspective and action



    4,5. Use and understand the basic terminology for forensic science correctly and contextually. / Gain a basic understanding of the history of forensic sciences and how forensic sciences in the real world differs from the forensic sciences depicted on television.

    Homicides, suicides and accidents in adults

    Crime. What is a common crime

    CSI and the real world
    Specific Course Requirements
    None required.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    None required.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    There are four online tests (quizzes) during the semester and they are worth 60% of the course (15% each).  Quizzes are available over the period of one week and can be taken at any time during this week. They are "open book" which means that books, notes and other material can be used while completing the quiz and students can also do the quizzes in groups.

    The final examamination is worth 40% of the course.


    Assessment Task Cover Material in Lecture
    Cover Material in Online Module Weighting Learning Outcome
    Quiz 1 1 - 6 - 15% 1 - 5
    Quiz 2 7 - 12 1 - 2 15% 1 - 5
    Quiz 3 13 - 18 3 15% 1 - 5
    Quiz 4 18 - 23 4 15% 1 - 5
    Final Examination 1 - 24 1 - 4 40% 1 - 5
    Assessment Related Requirements
    None required.
    Assessment Detail
    The four online assignments, each worth 15% of the total mark, will focus on the material covered in the lectures and online modules provided prior to them (see table above for details) as well as the required reading.

    The final examination is worth 40% of the overall mark and will cover the entire content of the course. It will consist of MCQ questions. All of the material delivered during the course will be examined in the final examination as described in the table above.

    There will be no extensions given for assignments unless you have filed out an official assessment extension application request form (available on the Examinations website - https://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/forms) and emailed it to ifs@adelaide.edu.au for consideration.

    Replacement Examinations will not be granted unless you have correctly completed an official replacement examination application request form (available on the Examinations website - https://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/forms) and emailed it to askhealthsc@adelaide.edu.au for consideration.
    Submission
    Students will be required to complete four online assignments worth 15% each during the course. Failure to submit the online assignments by the due date and time could result in you failing the assignment.

    The final examination will be conducted at Waywille during the scheduled University examination week.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.