Technological Advances in Dealing with Crime
Overview
This unit enables students to understand the problems with sentencing decision-making and the role of artificial intelligence in sentencing. Students will acquire a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the role of big data in law enforcement and how the internet is increasingly used as both a tool to commit and detect crime. A key aspect of the unit involves analysing the role that technology can have in developing new criminal sanctions, especially in the context of alternatives to prison and community corrections orders.
Requisites
Rule
LAW10021 Introduction to Law
AND
LAW10024 Criminal Law and Process
AND
75 Credit Points
OR
LAW10010 Introduction to Australian Law and Statutory Interpretation
AND
LAW10015 Criminal Law and Procedure
AND
75 Credit points
08-June-2025
02-November-2025
08-February-2026
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Analyse sentencing problems and evaluate the role of technology in sentencing decision-making
- Evaluate the use of artificial intelligence in law enforcement activities
- Explain the application and role of big data in responses to crime
- Reflect on the role of technology in developing new criminal sanctions
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Class | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Online Lecture | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 9.50 | 12 weeks | 114 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment | Individual | 50 - 60% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Assignment | Individual | 40 - 50% | 1,2,3,4 |
Content
- Problems with sentencing decision-making and the role of artificial intelligence in sentencing
- Law enforcement and artificial intelligence
- Technology, crime detection and threats to privacy and other rights
- The internet and the commission of crime
- Big data as an aid in detecting crime
- Crypto networks and crime
- Technology and criminal sanctions
- The internet and prisoner access and usage
- Monitoring offenders using technology
- Technological sanctions as a substitute to incarceration
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.