Independent Guided Study

MODULE DESCRIPTOR

TITLE Trace Evidence and Law

SI MODULE CODE

66-5769-00L

CREDITS 20

LEVEL 5

JACS CODE F410

SUBJECT GROUP Biosciences DEPARTMENT Biosciences

MODULE LEADER Dr Rosalind Wolstenholme

MODULE STUDY HOURS (based on 10 hours per credit) Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities Placement (if applicable) Independent Guided Study Total Number of Study Hours 48 152 200 MODULE AIM

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 LEARNING 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

INDICATIVE CONTENT

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

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

LEARNING AND TEACHING 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.

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY AND TASK INFORMATION Task No. Short Description of Task SI Code EX/CW/PR Task Weighting % Word Count or Exam Duration In-module retrieval available 1 Preparation of

statement and mock court scenario CW 40

2000 words +

10 min

presentation

3h

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 LEARNING RESOURCES (INCLUDING READING LISTS)

Books

(This book has a companion website at:

http://wps.pearsoned.co.uk/ema_uk_he_jackson_forensic_1)

Lucy, D. 2005 Introduction to Statistics for Forensic Scientists Wiley, Chichester, ISBN 0470022019

Townley, L. and Ede, R., Forensic Practice in Criminal Cases, The Law Society, London, 2004

Keane, The Modern Law of Evidence, 6th ed. Oxford.

White, P. C. Ed, 2004 , Crime Scene to Court 2nd Ed, RSC, ISBN 0-85404-656-9 Munday Core Text Evidence, 6th 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) (http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/lab/forensic-science-communications)

Important Document

Forensic Science Regulator - Codes of Practice and Conduct

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/agencies-public-bodies/fsr/codes-practice-conduct?view=Binary

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, pp4539-4556 (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, pp161-164

Berger, EH et al (2011) Evidence evaluation: A response to the court of appeal judgment in

SECTION 2 MODULE INFORMATION FOR STAFF ONLY

MODULE STATUS - INDICATE IF ANY CHANGES BEING MADE

NEW MODULE Y

EXISTING MODULE - NO CHANGE N

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 DELIVERY PATTERN

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 09/2013 05/2014

Course Intake 2 NA NA

Course Intake 3 NA NA

Is timetabled contact time required for this module? Y Are any staff teaching on this module non-SHU employees? Y 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 ASSESSMENT INFORMATION Indicate how the module will be marked

*Overall PERCENTAGE Mark of 40% Y

*Overall PASS / FAIL Grade N

*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?

N 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.

FINAL 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)

Task No. 2

CHECKED

Date Reason