Introduction to Forensic Science
Overview
This unit aims to introduce students to fundamental processes involved in forensic science. Students are introduced to the chemical and biochemical techniques used by forensic scientists to assist the judicial system to help solve crimes, or to help prove that a law has been broken. The students will be exposed to practising Forensic experts that will describe their work practises and discuss relevant examples. Students are made aware of the history of this discipline. They are also provided with an introduction to some of the legal issues associated and some of the toxicology associated with forensic science.
Requisites
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Articulate key concepts of forensic science
- State the major chronological landmarks in the history of forensic science
- Distinguish between admissible and non-admissible scientific evidence in the legal system and argue how a new scientific technique can gain acceptance in a court of law
- Give examples of the forensic application of Infra-Red (IR), Mass Spectroscopy (MS), High Performance Liquid. Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC) in areas such as document fraud and environmental damage
- Apply the general principles of forensic science to case studies related to drugs in racing, sport and the workplace
- Demonstrate the principles and limitations of DNA fingerprinting
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Lecture | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Tutorial | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Independent Learning | 9.50 | 12 weeks | 114 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Group | 5 - 15% | 4 |
| Case Studies | Group | 10 - 20% | 5 |
| Examination | Individual | 40 - 60% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Quizzes | Individual | 20 - 30% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
Hurdle
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:
(i) An aggregate mark of 50% or more, and(ii) At least 40% in the final exam.Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.
Content
- Introduction: key concepts of forensic science, including trace and contact evidence
- Chronological landmarks in the history of forensic science
- Legal aspects of forensic science and the admissibility of forensic evidence in the legal system
- Issues related to toxicology, drugs in racing, sport and the workplace
- Forensic application of selected modern instrumentation analysis such as Infra-Red (IR), Mass Spectroscopy (MS), High Performance Liquid. Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC)
- Document Fraud and Cybercrime
- Materials, firearms, fires, explosions and human remains
- Processes involved in DNA fingerprinting
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.