Statistics for Forensics
Overview
This subject provides students with the statistical knowledge and skills to carry out advanced analyses and apply these to forensic problems. Students will carry out and report independent statistical investigations, and demonstrate an awareness of the assumptions and limitations involved with the generalisation of results of such investigations. Real-life examples from the forensic science literature and forensic case-work are used to illustrate relevant statistical concepts and methods in areas such as DNA profiling, biochemical matching (e.g. blood stains), probability of re-offence in a given time period, and time to re-offend allowing for data censoring.
Requisites
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Explain basic concepts in probability as they apply to random events and uncertain evidence, and update probabilities when additional information is obtained
- Apply probability theory to games of chance, forensic science, and DNA profiling
- Identify appropriate applications of binary and multinomial regression and apply these models to forensic problems
- Compare different models for a survival analysis and apply these to forensic science problems
- Conduct cluster analyses, particularly in typical forensic science settings, and explain the differences between various clustering methods
- Compare different classification techniques, and apply these to problems in forensic science settings
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Lecture | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| On-campus Class | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Specified Activities Various | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| Unspecified Activities Various | 5.50 | 12 weeks | 66 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Hawthorn Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Lecture | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Online Learning activities | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Online Learning activities | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| Unspecified Activities Various | 5.50 | 12 weeks | 66 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | 50% | 3,4,5,6 |
| Online Quizzes | Individual | 10% | 1,2,3,4,6 |
| Online Tests | Individual | 40% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
Content
- Probability theory
- Crime and forensic statistics
- Correspondence and loglinear analysis
- Binomial logistic regression, multinomial logistic regression, and cluster analysis
- Survival analysis, including life tables, Kaplan-Meier curves, and Cox regression
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.