65008 Crime Scene Investigation and Management
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 65019 Foundations of Forensic Science AND 65009 Forensic Inference and Interpretation
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject expands on the techniques, methods and interpretation skills required within the forensic science discipline. Students gain the knowledge and skills required to examine, investigate and manage a crime scene drawing on knowledge and skills from Foundations of Forensic Science 65019 and Forensic Inference and Interpretation 65009. The subject allows students to develop an in-depth understanding of industry-relevant crime scene procedures and techniques while learning about some of the more common types of scenes they may encounter in a work environment. Building on this concept, students are also expected to identify and mitigate hazards at the scene and capture, evaluate and exploit a variety of physical evidence in realistic forensic scenarios.
Module 3 of the subject gives students the opportunity to diversify their crime scene skills further by completing An Introduction to Human Remains. In An Introduction to Human Remains, students learn how to detect and process clandestine graves. By the completion of this subject, students are proficient in both the autonomous and collaborative management of complex forensic scenarios.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Capture, evaluate and collect physical evidence in the crime scene |
|---|---|
| 2. | Analyse the crime scene, reflect on the evidence and theorise about the probative value of the evidence |
| 3. | Assess hazards in the scene and formulate controls to mitigate risk. |
| 4. | Justify the use of specialist units at a scene and manage these resources. |
| 5. | Demonstrate advanced skills in the laboratory/field examination of forensic evidence. |
| 6. | Prepare and present concise materials that document a crime scene for court purposes. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Critically engage with the appraisal and application of advanced knowledge, technical skills and research principles relevant to professional practice in forensic science. (1.1)
- Assess, argue for, and conduct appropriate approaches to complex forensic science problems through investigation, analysis and independent research in a relevant professional context. (2.1)
- Develop and execute - individually or collaboratively - ethical, safe and sustainable work practices, accountable to stakeholder requirements in forensic science, locally and globally. (3.1)
- Reflexively discover, create and evaluate the processes used to determine the value, integrity, and relevance of multiple sources of information to derive innovative solutions to complex forensic science problems. (4.1)
- Communicate complex ideas and justifications in a rigorous and professional manner using a variety of methods (oral, written, visual) to discipline experts, scientists, stakeholders, and the general public. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Graduate Attribute 1: Disciplinary Knowledge
Students will learn the skills to detect, collect and process forensic evidence encountered in forensic casework. Students will develop an advanced knowledge of forensic techniques and apply these skills in simulated crime scene scenarios and either the field or laboratory. Students will learn industry-relevant forensic techniques and practices and use their scientific knowledge to demonstrate a variety of skills and attributes across forensic disciplines. Assessments and self-directed learning activities in combination with timely feedback will allow students to gauge and assess their progress throughout the modules.
Graduate Attribute 2: Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking
Students will investigate simulated scenarios and apply their knowledge and skills to examine and manage a complex crime scene. They will assess case scenario information and interpret the presence of trace evidence to develop a holistic overview of the scene. Working collaboratively, they will use problem-solving skills and critical thinking to accurately document, collect and examine forensic evidence, whilst prioritising cross-discipline exhibits. As part of their case interpretation, students will express their findings both verbally and in written form demonstrating their understanding of complex concepts.
Graduate Attribute 3: Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility
Given a scenario and visual clues, students will assess and manage simulated hazards and risks in the crime scene simulation suite by applying their understanding of health and safety at crime scenes. They will develop an in depth knowledge of WH&S risk factors and commonly encountered hazards at crime scenes. The crime scene assessment promotes the professional, ethical and social responsibilities of a forensic expert and allows students to apply thei skills in a practical environment.
Graduate Attribute 4: Reflection, Innovation, Creativity
Students will use their practical skills to investigate realistic scenarios containing different types of forensic evidence. They will work with minimal scenario information to recover, develop and document a variety of traces, using their knowledge and supplied forensic equipment. Each simulated crime scene presents a challenge in the detection, development and capture of forensic traces and encourages students to use their collaborative problem solving skills to investigate and interpret the traces.
Graduate Attribute 5: Communication
In this subject, emphasis is placed on students' ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to a diverse audience in written. Students will present their observations, examinations and findings in their brief of evidence and be assessed on the technical and administrative aspects of their brief of evidence.
Teaching and learning strategies
Lectures (online): In this subject you will read through the lectures and readings on Canvas to broaden your understanding of how to manage a crime scene. The lectures will also introduce complex techniques and concepts that will be further developed and applied in the practical classes. Students will self-manage their pace through the curriculum so that they are in line with the subject requirements from week to week. Student knowledge will be reviewed through the workshops and feedback from practical sessions in the Crime Scene Simulation suite.
Practicals (5 x 4 hours): The practical sessions will be delivered in the Crime Scene Simulation suite where a variety of realistic scenarios will be set up to challenge the students' problem-solving ability and forensic skills. This will involve group and individual work and feedback will be provided to students prior to the following practical session.
Workshop (4 x 2 hours): The first 3 x workshops are designed to get students familiar with the use of a digital SLR camera, tripod and fingerprint powders. These workshops are not assessed and allow students to practice techniques in simulated crime scene environments, use equipment and ask questions. The final online workshop will deliver a tutorial-style learning experience whereby the students learn how to prepare and present a brief of evidence.
Content (topics)
Crime scene, exhibit and resource management
Risk and hazard assessment and management
Note taking, sketching and scene photography
Communication of complex forensic disciplines
Presenting a brief of evidence
Biological sampling - techniques and testing
Fingerprint techniques and development
Physical evidence processing
Capturing, collecting, documenting and packaging forensic evidence in the scene
Human remains investigation
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Brief of Evidence
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, Inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, innovation, creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Criteria: | On submission of your Brief of Evidence, students will be assessed on their;
|
Assessment task 2: Expert certificate/report
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, innovation, creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 5 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Criteria: | The statement/report demonstrates a student's ability to:
|
Assessment task 3: Crime scene assessment
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2, 3, 4 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 55% |
| Criteria: | Students will be assessed on their ability to:
|
Minimum requirements
Students are strongly recommended to attend each of the practical classes and workshops during the semester. There is no opportunity to catch up if any of these sessions is missed. Failure to attend one of these sessions may affect your ability to complete the related assessment task. You should provide an acceptable reason for your absence, supported by relevant evidence.
References
Beaufort-Moore, D. (2015). Crime scene management and evidence recovery (Second edition.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Champod, C. (2016). Fingerprints and other ridge skin impressions (Second edition.). Boca Raton: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
Stoilovic, M & Lennard, C. (2006). Fingerprint detection & enhancement: Workshop Manual (Third Edition) . Canberra: Australian Federal Police.
Other resources
Bodziak, W. (2000). Footwear impression evidence : detection, recovery, and examination (2nd ed.). Boca Raton: CRC Press.