65319 Biological Criminalistics
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 65316 Criminalistics AND 65342 Crime Scene Investigation
Description
This subject covers the role of a Forensic Biologist from the receipt of a packaged crime scene exhibit, through the examination and analysis of biological traces on the exhibit, to the interpretation and evaluation of the biological evidence for court. Students develop the skills required for locating and detecting biological material, along with DNA sampling, as would be conducted in an operational forensic science laboratory. Students gain experience in detection and collection of biologically relevant evidence (including blood and semen), which is extended through to the application of presumptive testing, confirmatory testing, and recovery of material for DNA analysis. Students also learn and apply the theory of bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) from a guest BPA forensic practitioner. Finally, within varied case contexts, students learn how to evaluate biological evidence given propositions at each level within the Hierarchy of Propositions and how to avoid the source and activity level fallacies. This culminates in the examination, testing and evaluation of biological evidence from exhibits within a mock case to aid the court in addressing the evidence given source and activity level propositions, presented as both written and oral evidence. Online activities and videos are complemented by practical laboratory classes and discussion-based workshops.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Understand and appropriately document the forensic process from the receipt of a packaged crime scene exhibit, through the examination and analysis of biological traces on the exhibit, to the interpretation and evaluation of the biological evidence for court. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Successfully apply techniques to detect, process and analyse biological traces. |
| 3. | Apply theoretical and practical skills to assess the background information relating to a mock case and determine a suitable examination strategy for the exhibits. |
| 4. | Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the techniques and theories applied for detection, analysis and interpretation of biological material for evidential purposes. |
| 5. | Conduct an appropriately informed evaluation of the biological evidence, given source and activity level propositions and with reference to both case circumstances and published research. |
| 6. | Produce a clearly written case report for court that expresses their interpretation and expert opinion of the findings of a mock case. |
| 7. | Confidently and clearly communicate their findings and expert opinion verbally in a trial court setting. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate a command of forensic science practice, including the detection, collection, and analysis of traces in order to exploit and integrate the results of analyses into investigative, evaluative and intelligence frameworks. (1.1)
- Apply investigative, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to forensic science problems and design experimental methods to test hypotheses and critically analyse and interpret data. (2.1)
- Practise safe, ethical, and professional conduct with consideration for the role of forensic science in addressing current and future challenges faced by law enforcement, the legal system, security, and the wider community. (3.1)
- Apply forensic science professional skills with a high degree of personal autonomy and reflection to demonstrate initiative and innovative thinking in solving complex forensic problems. (4.1)
- Demonstrate skills in communicating experimental conclusions, expert opinion, and the justification of professional decisions related to forensic science processes effectively to expert, scientific, and non-expert audiences. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
1.0 Disciplinary Knowledge
Throughout this subject, students are trained to develop an understanding of the true nature and practice of Forensic Biology and its appropriate application in criminal investigations. Students will build on their prior knowledge from subjects, such as Criminalistics and DNA Profiling, by learning how to analyse and interpret more complex forensic scenarios and traces, including contemporary issues, such as trace DNA and bloodstain pattern analysis. Students will also learn and develop their forensic reporting and documentation skills, before applying these in a formal case report. Students will develop and reinforce their knowledge throughout the session in workshops and laboratory sessions, in which they will investigate a mock case. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate the application of their knowledge in all assessment items and feedback will be provided during the session to assist student development. As graduates, they will be equipped with an integrated knowledge of this discipline area and possess various scientific skills essential to the role of a Forensic Biologist.
2.0 Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking
Students will develop fundamental problem-solving skills through the application of their disciplinary knowledge to the analysis and interpretation of mock case scenarios. Students will manage and investigate mock exhibits in the laboratory sessions, and engage in interactive lectures that reflect on how modern forensic science practice could have mitigated or prevented past miscarriages of justice. By forming, predicting the outcome of, and testing hypotheses in mock cases, students will build their problem solving and critical thinking skills. Through the case-informed DNA interpretation and evaluation workshops, students will also develop their abilities to analyse and evaluate DNA data within the context of the relevant case circumstances and published research. Development of such investigative and problem solving skills, and the ability to critically analyse and evaluate biological evidence, are assessed by Assessment Task 2.
3.0 Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility
This subject allows students to acquire, develop, employ and integrate a wide range of technical, practical and professional skills within the discipline of Forensic Biology and related fields. Students will refine their collaborative peer learning and working skills throughout the laboratory sessions. The assessed examination casefile (part of Assessment Task 2), court report (part of Assessment Task 2) and expert testimony (Assessment Task 3) are all designed to mimic authentic professional tasks to allow students to develop and receive feedback on these essential skills. Students will also have opportunity to refine generic professional attributes, such as time management, problem solving, personal organisation, computing and data handling, whilst developing specific professional skills, including forensic interpretation, documentation practices, ethics, laboratory practice and case management.
4.0 Reflection, Innovation and Creativity
Whilst students will work together during the practical laboratory and workshop classes to develop their forensic biology and professional skills, they will ultimately submit individual court reports and expert testimony, such that Assessment Tasks 2 and 3 will examine the students’ abilities to apply these skills with a high degree of personal autonomy and reflection. Being provided a mock case example and exhibits in Assessment Task 2 to process as Forensic Biologists will also examine students’ abilities to devise and implement a relevant examination strategy to locate and examine traces.
5.0 Communication
It is essential that a practicing Forensic Scientist has the ability to communicate effectively to both scientific and non-scientific audiences through various forms, for example, writing expert witness statements and giving oral testimony in court. Students will refine their communication skills during this subject both through the interactive classes with group work and via formal assessment. Students' technical written communication skills will be developed through the preparation of their examination notes and court reports and assessed with Assessment Task 2. Students have the opportunity to practice verbal communication and explanation of complex scientific concepts to a non-scientific audience in their oral examination (Assessment Task 3). This subject provides the training platform that contributes to the graduates’ profiles in effective communication.
Teaching and learning strategies
Blended delivery via asychronous learning on Canvas and live interactive classes:
Announcements, assessment information, and mandatory subject materials and activities will be made available on Canvas. Students will attend one 3hr live class per week (online via Zoom or on campus, see Programme for specific details). These classes incorporate both practical laboratory and interactive workshop classes, culminating in a final oral assessment in Week 12. In lieu of traditional lectures, videos (including recorded lecture segments where appropriate), materials and activities will be made available online on Canvas. These must be completed prior to each class, to enable application of the material learnt to the exercises conducted during the laboratory and workshop classes. Weekly quizzes will assess the understanding and application of each topic as Assessment Task 1.
Practical laboratory and workshop classes:
The laboratory classes combine the practical application of students' problem-solving skills and knowledge within a collaborative setting. Student groups will work together to build their knowledge of exhibit examination and documentation, presumptive and confirmatory body fluid testing, DNA recovery, and bloodstain pattern analysis. These sessions will help to develop a student’s ability in specific biological trace analysis and interpretation. The other practical sessions are workshops that allow students to cement their understanding and put into practice the interpretation and evaluation of biological evidence within specific case examples, making use of interactive exercises and group discussions. During both the laboratory and workshop classes, students will be provided opportunities for feedback from both staff and peers within their groups. As part of the classes in Weeks 6-10, students will work on a mock case where they will need to apply what they have learnt from the previous and simultaneous sessions to forensic exhibits within a case scenario that constitutes Assessment Task 2. During these classes, students will receive formative feedback throughout, including feedback on their report plan and answers to their questions, before submitting their mock case final report.
Consultation and benchmarking session:
In order to prepare for the case and court assessments (Assessment Tasks 2 and 3), the workshop in week 10 will give students an opportunity to discuss feedback received from the first parts of Assessment Task 2 and to conduct a benchmarking exercise to ensure their understanding of how to write a court report. This will also enable students to identify any gaps in their knowledge during the case preparation and seek tailored advice and/or guidance for their final court report and oral testimony.
Content (topics)
- Introduction to Biological Criminalistics
- Examination of biological exhibits and body fluid testing
- Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA)
- DNA sampling, interpretation and evaluation
- Preparation of written and oral testimony
- Biological evidence in the real world
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Assessment Task 1: Weekly quizzes
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1.0 Disciplinary Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 and 2.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Criteria: | Accuracy of answers. |
Assessment task 2: Assessment Task 2: Examination of mock case
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1.0 Disciplinary Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 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: | 50% |
| Criteria: | The 50% weighting of Assessment Task 2 is broken down as follows:
Detailed assessment criteria will be made available on Canvas. Note that the final court report must be submitted at least one working day prior to the oral testimony (Assessment Task 3) for a student to be eligible to enter Assessment Task 3. |
Assessment task 3: Assessment Task 3: Oral testimony
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1.0 Disciplinary Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 4 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 10 minute video |
| Criteria: | Assessment criteria will be made available on Canvas. Note that there will be a penality applied for videos that are longer than 10 minutes and that are submitted in mutliple parts instead of one continuous recording. |
Minimum requirements
You are strongly encouraged to complete all online Canvas learning materials and attend all workshop and practical sessions during the session.
The classes in subjects offered by the Faculty of Science are an important and integral part of your learning in this subject. In addition to assisting your understanding of application of concepts, these classes develop hands-on forensic biology skills and experience, including interpretation approaches and specialised techniques related to the assessment tasks. These also contribute to the development of essential graduate attributes desired by employers. Thus, you are strongly encouraged to attend all scheduled sessions.
In the Faculty of Science, quizzes and in-class assessments are not routinely included in standard late penalty submission guidelines. In accordance with this, please note that non-attendance or late submission of the following assessment components can only be accommodated by application for special consideration:
- Online quizzes of Assessment Task 1 (Weeks 2-11);
- In-class practical component of Assessment Task 2 (Weeks 5-6); and
- In-class online oral testimony video of Assessment Task 3 (Week 13).
If you cannot attend a scheduled session, please contact your Subject Coordinator as soon as possible to discuss your situation. For the assessed sessions, please make sure you are familiar with the guidelines for when an application for special consideration, including COVID-related matters, must be submitted with respect to missed, or to be missed, assessments: https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/managing-your-course/classes-and-assessment/special-circumstances/special-consideration.
As per the Faculty of Science Assessment Extensions and Late Penalties Guidelines, in the absence of special consideration or prior-approved extension, the report for Assessment Task 2 is subject to late penalties. If it is submitted after the due date and time, it will be penalised by way of loss of marks: Five per cent (5%) of the marks for the report will be deducted per day to a maximum of five (5) calendar days after which no marks will be awarded for any submission. Furthermore, since review of this report is required to prepare the questions for Assessment Task 3, if the report is not submitted within this timeframe, then attendance of Task 3 is not possible and the marks for Task 3 will also be forfeited.