Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Students attend lectures on a variety of allied forensic sciences which are utilised during police investigations of criminal acts and disasters. Lectures are given by academic, professional and industry forensic practitioners. Students also participate in a practical crime scene session and attend seminars by research students to develop an awareness of modern forensic science technologies.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Outcomes
Students are able to demonstrate the following skills: (1) crime and disaster scenes—describe the proper approach to crime and disaster scene preservation and interpretation, while identifying and minimising potential hazards and sources of contamination; (2) evidence types—identify articles of forensic value for different types of events and apply the correct statutes to the seizure of those articles; (3) evidence collection, etc.—demonstrate competency in the collection, packaging, storage and transport of articles present at a mock crime or disaster scene; (4) analysis—correctly determine the order of priority for analysis of articles and ascertain the evidential or intelligence value of those articles, and describe the different analytical methods available for the processing of samples and what results these may generate; (5) reporting—write detailed reports for both criminal investigation information and court-based use; (6) human identification—describe the importance of establishing positive identification of living and deceased human beings in prosecution, coronial and civil scenarios, and describe the various means of establishing human identification and their limitations such as fingerprints, odontology, DNA, circumstantial and facial reconstruction; and (7) aligned forensic disciplines and specialties—demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the application and limitations of various forensic disciplines and aligned areas of speciality.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) attendance at research seminars (5 per cent); (2) observation and participation during the mock crime scene practical (5 per cent); (3) a written assessment mid-way through the unit which covers the topics so far undertaken (30 per cent); (4) submission of a written report relating to the mock crime scene attendance (30 per cent); and (5) a final written examination (30 per cent). Assessment is explicitly tailored to provide continuous feedback on both written and practical work so that individual progress can be monitored. Students may also be required to work both individually and in a team environment, thus reinforcing the skills they require in 'real-world' forensic scenarios. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor Daniel Franklin
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- enrolment inthe Graduate Certificate in Forensic Investigation (52210)
or the Graduate Diploma in Criminal Investigation (52390)
or the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Science (51220)
or the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science (50320)
or the Master of Forensic Science (coursework and dissertation) (51520)
or the combined Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Forensic Science (00880)
- Contact hours
- lectures: approx. 2 hours per week
mock crime scene practical workshop: 1 day
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.