Module Descriptors
INVESTIGATING AND REPORTING OF CRIME SCENES
FORE60332
Key Facts
Health, Education, Policing and Sciences
Level 6
30 credits
Contact
Leader: David Flatman-Fairs
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 35
Independent Study Hours: 265
Total Learning Hours: 300
Pattern of Delivery
- Occurrence A, Stoke Campus, UG Semester 1 to UG Semester 2
- Occurrence A, Stoke Campus, UG Semester 2
Sites
- Stoke Campus
Assessment
- GROUP ASSIGNMENT weighted at 70%
- REPORT weighted at 30%
Module Details
Module Texts
AND REFER TO THESE TEXTS, TITLE, AUTHOR, PAGES:
"Forensic Science", 3rd edition, Jackson and Jackson, Pearson (2011)
"Crime Scene to Court", 3rd revised edition, P.White (ed) RSC (2010)
"Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science", 10th edition, Safrestein, Prentice-Hall (2010)
"Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis: An Introduction to Basic and Advanced Ridgeology (Practical Aspects of Criminal & Forensic Investigations)", D. R. Ashbaugh,
CRC Press 1999
"Forensic Science", 3rd edition, Jackson and Jackson, Pearson (2011)
"Crime Scene to Court", 3rd revised edition, P.White (ed) RSC (2010)
"Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science", 10th edition, Safrestein, Prentice-Hall (2010)
"Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis: An Introduction to Basic and Advanced Ridgeology (Practical Aspects of Criminal & Forensic Investigations)", D. R. Ashbaugh,
CRC Press 1999
Module Additional Assessment Details
WHICH WILL BE ASSESSED BY:
Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment):
1. Group report of crime scene 3 - to include scene documentation, contemporaneous laboratory notes and formal scientific report of evidence analysed (marks for report 3 will be adjusted by peer assessment, reports from scenes 1 and 2 will be formative assessment) (outcomes 1-6) 70% - semester 2
2. Preparation of a court report and its presentation in a courtroom setting (outcomes 2, 4, 7) 30% - semester 2
Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via formal sessions with the tutor(s) in regards to reports produced for Crime Scenes 1 and 2
The module handbook will provide information of the criteria used to judge performance
Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment):
1. Group report of crime scene 3 - to include scene documentation, contemporaneous laboratory notes and formal scientific report of evidence analysed (marks for report 3 will be adjusted by peer assessment, reports from scenes 1 and 2 will be formative assessment) (outcomes 1-6) 70% - semester 2
2. Preparation of a court report and its presentation in a courtroom setting (outcomes 2, 4, 7) 30% - semester 2
Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via formal sessions with the tutor(s) in regards to reports produced for Crime Scenes 1 and 2
The module handbook will provide information of the criteria used to judge performance
Module Indicative Content
In this module you will work in small groups to investigate three selected simulations of crime scenes. The selected scenes may differ from year to year and will cover situations such as domestic disputes, breaking and entering, violent struggles, drugs raids, murder etc. Each group will liaise with the module tutor to approve the plan for practical analysis of the evidence collected at the scenes.
The groups will be assigned a time per crime scene and will be observed during the investigation of the scenes and collection of evidence by a module tutor. There will also be dedicated laboratory time to undertake analysis of the evidence. This analysis may involve aspects such as: dusting, lifting, developing and analysing fingerprints, analysis of hairs, fibres, glass fragments etc., analysis of any suspect powders, particularly but not exclusively drugs, obtaining casts and electrostatic lifts of footwear, obtaining casts of tool marks, documenting (photographing, sketching etc.) of the crime scenes, DNA profiling of blood, semen, saliva etc.
Based on the results of the analysis, the group will produce a report, which will include an individual critical assessment of how their group performed and may improve for subsequent scenes. Reports 1 and 2 will be formatively assessed and feedback given before undertaking the third scene. Each of the students will undertake a presentation of their analysis of the evidence from the third of the crime scenes in a courtroom situation, acting as an expert witness.
The groups will be assigned a time per crime scene and will be observed during the investigation of the scenes and collection of evidence by a module tutor. There will also be dedicated laboratory time to undertake analysis of the evidence. This analysis may involve aspects such as: dusting, lifting, developing and analysing fingerprints, analysis of hairs, fibres, glass fragments etc., analysis of any suspect powders, particularly but not exclusively drugs, obtaining casts and electrostatic lifts of footwear, obtaining casts of tool marks, documenting (photographing, sketching etc.) of the crime scenes, DNA profiling of blood, semen, saliva etc.
Based on the results of the analysis, the group will produce a report, which will include an individual critical assessment of how their group performed and may improve for subsequent scenes. Reports 1 and 2 will be formatively assessed and feedback given before undertaking the third scene. Each of the students will undertake a presentation of their analysis of the evidence from the third of the crime scenes in a courtroom situation, acting as an expert witness.
Module Learning Strategies
Analysis of crime scenes and evidence collection (1x 2hrs, 2x 3hrs), meetings/discussions with tutor and feedback (6hrs), analysis of evidence (in laboratory - 21hrs). In addition you will have regular team discussions.
Students will carry out a crime scene analysis and produce a report as a first formative assessment, and will carry out a second crime scene with analysis of evidence and continuity of evidence constituting the principal part of formative assessment. These two elements of formative assessment will receive feedback in preparation for the third crime scene on which the majority of the summative assessment is based
Independent study time of 265hrs will be taken up by preparation for practical sessions (crime scene and laboratory), regular group meetings (without tutor input), preparation of formative and summative reports and additional reading related to crime scene processing, evidence analysis and courtroom presentation of evidence.
Students will carry out a crime scene analysis and produce a report as a first formative assessment, and will carry out a second crime scene with analysis of evidence and continuity of evidence constituting the principal part of formative assessment. These two elements of formative assessment will receive feedback in preparation for the third crime scene on which the majority of the summative assessment is based
Independent study time of 265hrs will be taken up by preparation for practical sessions (crime scene and laboratory), regular group meetings (without tutor input), preparation of formative and summative reports and additional reading related to crime scene processing, evidence analysis and courtroom presentation of evidence.
Module Resources
YOU WILL NEED ACCESS TO THESE RESOURCES:
Module Handbook
Crime Scene House, Mock Courtroom (Law), Criminalistics Laboratory, Analytical Laboratory
Evidence Store
Blackboard VLE
Module Handbook
Crime Scene House, Mock Courtroom (Law), Criminalistics Laboratory, Analytical Laboratory
Evidence Store
Blackboard VLE
Web Descriptor
In this module you will work in small groups to investigate three selected simulations of crime scenes. The selected scenes may differ from year to year and will cover situations such as domestic disputes, breaking and entering, violent struggles, drugs raids, murder etc. Each group will liaise with the module tutor to approve the plan for practical analysis of the evidence collected at the scenes.
The groups will be assigned a time per crime scene and will be observed during the investigation of the scenes and collection of evidence by a module tutor. There will also be dedicated laboratory time to undertake analysis of the evidence. This analysis may involve aspects such as: dusting, lifting, developing and analysing fingerprints, analysis of hairs, fibres, glass fragments etc., analysis of any suspect powders, particularly but not exclusively drugs, obtaining casts and electrostatic lifts of footwear, obtaining casts of tool marks, documenting (photographing, sketching etc.) of the crime scenes, DNA profiling of blood, semen, saliva etc.
Based on the results of the analysis, the group will produce a report, which will include an individual critical assessment of how their group performed and may improve for subsequent scenes. Reports 1 and 2 will be formatively assessed and feedback given before undertaking the third scene. Each of the students will undertake a presentation of their analysis of the evidence from the third of the crime scenes in a courtroom situation, acting as an expert witness.
The groups will be assigned a time per crime scene and will be observed during the investigation of the scenes and collection of evidence by a module tutor. There will also be dedicated laboratory time to undertake analysis of the evidence. This analysis may involve aspects such as: dusting, lifting, developing and analysing fingerprints, analysis of hairs, fibres, glass fragments etc., analysis of any suspect powders, particularly but not exclusively drugs, obtaining casts and electrostatic lifts of footwear, obtaining casts of tool marks, documenting (photographing, sketching etc.) of the crime scenes, DNA profiling of blood, semen, saliva etc.
Based on the results of the analysis, the group will produce a report, which will include an individual critical assessment of how their group performed and may improve for subsequent scenes. Reports 1 and 2 will be formatively assessed and feedback given before undertaking the third scene. Each of the students will undertake a presentation of their analysis of the evidence from the third of the crime scenes in a courtroom situation, acting as an expert witness.