This guide is intended to provide information for prospective students. Enrolled students will find the necessary course information and resources on the appropriate Blackboard site

This module guide is intended to provide an introduction to this module. In it you will find the aims and objectives of the module, a detailed syllabus, information on when and where the class will meet, details of how your performance in the module will be assessed and the assignments which form part of the module.

• Staff
• Introduction to Module
• Aims & objectives
• Teaching Arrangements
• Attendance Policy & Non-attendance Penalties
• Assessment
• Reading
• Difficulties & Feedback


• Sample Timetable (PDF Format) (subject to change)

STAFF

Course organiser: Dr Elizabeth Lim, whose offices are located in
the Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine, Small's Wynd, University of Dundee,
telephone (01382) 348020.
A secretary is always available to take a message or arrange an appointment.
There is an answerphone outside normal office hours so that a message may be left.
Contact by e-mail:e.w.l.z.lim@dundee.ac.uk

Lecturer: Professor Derrick Pounder, whose offices are located in
the Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine, Small's Wynd, University of Dundee,
telephone (01382) 348020.
A secretary is always available to take a message or arrange an appointment.
There is an answerphone outside normal office hours so that a message may be left.
Contact by e-mail:d.j.pounder@dundee.ac.uk

INTRODUCTION

An optional phase 2 SSC intended to teach basic forensic science to students with no previous knowledge of these subjects.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Learning Objectives

• a) To develop an awareness of the various forms of physical evidence and how each type is located and identified on a trauma victim and at a crime scene
• b) To study the effectiveness of physical evidence collection, preservation and examination
• c) To examine critically, for each type of physical evidence, the various scientific laboratory tests used to determine class and individual characteristics
• d) To consider how each type of physical evidence can be presented in court in accord with its probative value

TEACHING ARRANGEMENTS

This is an optional course which stands alone with no specific prerequisites. However, students should note that the course content is primarily and almost entirely scientific rather than medical. The course is quite unlike any other available to M.B., Ch.B. students (with the exception of the forensic medicine course) and students are advised to consider this particularly before embarking upon the course. This course represents an adaptation of the forensic Science course previously offered to LL.B law undergraduates.

Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus The teaching material will be presented in seminars through crime scenarios, some of which will be taken from real crimes and others which will be somewhat fictional. Each crime scenario will illustrate various types of physical evidence and they will be discussed according to the objectives listed above.
There are 8 two-hour seminars held twice weekly throughout the duration of the module.
Student participation is an essential component of this module and students will be required to give 10-minute computer based presentations on allocated subjects. These student presentations will form the basis of discussions during seminars.

In addition, students will be required to read widely around the remainder of the subject matter for each seminar.

Seminar 1 - Laboratory Instruments and Techniques in Forensic Science
Seminar 2 - Physical Match and Fingerprints

Seminar 3 - Fibres & Hairs
Seminar 4 - Blood Spatter, Serology and DNA

Seminar 5 - Drugs and Document Examination
Seminar 6 - Paint and Road Traffic Accidents

Seminar 7 - Firearms
Seminar 8 - Assignment Submission & Discussion

There are no timetabled sessions for the afternoons but tuition will be available for individuals who require additional assistance.

ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION

Attendance at the taught sessions of this module are compulsory.
Students will be required to both sign in and sign out of each teaching session. Failure to both sign in and sign out will be regarded as non-attendance and will be penalised accordingly.
Failure of attendance at any one session, without good cause, will be penalised by a loss of five marks from the overall potential course mark of 100. Failure of attendance at three or more of the taught sessions will result in a fail mark for the module.
Falsification of the class attendance record will be viewed as a serious act of dishonesty, the penalty for which may include not only failure of this special study module but further disciplinary proceedings.

Student participation is an essential component of the course. Prior to attending seminars, students should have read the relevant sections of the prescribed textbook and the other listed reference materials. They will be expected to have familiarised themselves with the facts and techniques involved in the investigation of the issues to be discussed in the seminars prior to attendance. This basic data will not form part of the seminar but will be used as a platform from which analysis, interpretation and critical discussion of the scientific evidence may proceed. All the information required for these discussions will be available to the students in advance of the seminars and it is their responsibility to equip themselves appropriately. The discussions during these seminars will assume prior knowledge of this material.

In addition, students will be given, in turn, specific subjects to research. They will be expected to prepare a 10 minute Poewerpoint presentation on that subject for the benefit of the entire class. A lively and interactive approach is encouraged, making full use of handouts, overhead transparencies and appropriate props.

ASSESSMENT

Attendance at teaching sessions is compulsory. Registers will be taken at each session. Non-attendance will be penalised as described above.

There are three main components to assessment of this module:

1. There will be an open book problem solving written assignment of 1500 words (50%). Following submission there will be open discussion in class.
2. There will be four online interactive quizes, one to be completed towards the end of each week. These are in the form of Computer Aided assessment exercises. They are time restricted to 20 minutes per exercise with feedback provided immediately upon completion (20%) .
3. Students will also be assessed on attendance at seminars (compulsory) interest and motivation (evidence of reading/preparation for seminars, involvement in seminars and quality of allocated presentations (together, 30%).

The Standard Assessment form will be used

With respect to the written assignments, the attention of students is drawn to the University policy on plagiarism. Plagiarism is not acceptable, and may result in a student failing to achieve any marks for that work as well as activation of the University disciplinary procedures.

READING

Appropriate lectures notes will be accessible via Blackboard VLE. Instructions for logging on will be issued in class.
Any additional reference material will be supplied during the lectures. There is no requirement for the purchase of any other additional reference material.

DIFFICULTIES AND FEEDBACK

If you have any difficulties with the course there are a number of ways in which you can get help. If you are having problems with understanding material you should be able to get help at the teaching sessions. In addition, tutors are available most afternoons.
Questions about the organisation of the course or the assessment arrangements should be taken up with the Course Organiser.
In order to improve and develop this course we will be seeking your help by asking you to fill in a feedback questionnaire.