Unit Overview
- Description
This unit encompasses four interrelated modules:
(1) Forensic Pathology and Decomposition Processes – Examines post-mortem changes in soft tissues, including autolysis, putrefaction, and decay progression. Emphasis is placed on factors influencing decomposition and implications for medico?legal investigations.
(2) Forensic Entomology – Explores insect colonisation of remains, life cycles of key taxa, and the application of entomological evidence to estimate post?mortem interval (PMI). Includes collection, preservation, and identification techniques.
(3) Taphonomy and Transition to Skeletal Remains – Investigates the processes influencing the preservation, modification, and recovery of remains from decomposition through to skeletonisation, including environmental and depositional variables.
(4) Integrated Forensic Interpretation – Focuses on synthesising pathology and entomology evidence within a forensic context, including report writing, evidentiary standards, and expert interpretation aligned with legal expectations.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 2 UWA (Perth) On-campus -
The timetable for this teaching period is not currently available. Please see the Important Dates page for the timetable release date and other key date information.
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) analyse the role of the forensic pathologist in death investigation and critically assess how pathological, entomological, and anthropological evidence is integrated to inform medico-legal conclusions; (2) demonstrate practical competency in the collection, identification, and curation of entomological specimens in accordance with forensic protocols; (3) apply forensic entomology principles to estimate post?mortem interval using appropriate scientific methods and evidentiary standards; and (4) analyse and interpret biological and entomological evidence to produce coherent, defensible forensic conclusions.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) written reports; (2) practical (insect reference collection); and (3) examination. 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)
- Professor Daniel Franklin
- Unit rules
- Incompatibility
- FNSC8503 Forensic Pathology, FNSC8561 Forensic Entomology
- Contact hours
- lectures (6 x 3hrs) with some built in practical activities.
- 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.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- 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.