20 Credit Modules

Module title:	Law for Forensic Scientists
SCQF level:	09:
SCQF credit value:	20
ECTS credit value:	10
Module code:	LAW09107
Module leader:	MR DUNCAN SPIERS
School	Management and Law
Subject area group:	Law

Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

Timetable (Trimester 1 - 2009/10)

Timetable (Trimester 2 - 2009/10)

2010/1, Trimester 1, Face-to-Face, Napier University

Occurrence:	001
Primary mode of delivery:	Face-to-Face
Location of delivery:	NAPIER
Member of staff responsible for delivering module:	MR DUNCAN SPIERS
Module Organiser:

Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:

Os 1-5. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of acquired knowledge. In lectures students are given the fundamentals required to enable them to apply theory in professional practice as forensic scientists. Tutorials make use of a pack of tutorial materials containing a mix of problem type questions, open-ended questions for discussion, case analyses, and questions focusing on key issues and debates in evidence law. The tutorials and the assignment reinforce and embed the theoretical knowledge and skills. The assignment allows demonstration of practical skills and provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate broad understanding of the subject. A seminar will be conducted in which students are required to give a 10 minute presentation of evidence based upon a forensic report which will be provided to them all in the manner of a forensic science expert giving evidence and being cross-examined as they would during a trial. Preparation for the seminar will be student-centered and encourage independent learning and inculcate evidence evaluation and presentation skills within a formal procedural and evidential setting. This will enhance their personal and professional development and their ultimate employability skills.
LOs 1-5 Key employability skills/PDP/scholarship skills: The skills delivered in lectures are embedded by tutorial and seminar work and by the written research assignment involve the use of judgement, analytical and report writing skills. This will enhance students' personal and professional development and their ultimate employability skills.
LOs 1-5 Assessment (formative and summative): Tutorials provide the opportunity to demonstrate the development of appropriate skills by appropriate written work and oral contributions. Feedback is provided on indivual contributions principally face to face but also by marking written answers to problem questions. Summative assessment is provided by the written assignment and by means of the final examination.
LOs 1-5 Research/teaching linkages: The assignment allows demonstration of practical, research and presentation skills and provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate broad understanding of the subject. In particular they are introduced to problem areas and techniques of evaluation and to practical applications where they require accurately to draft appropriate documentation.
LOs 1-5 Supporting equality and diversity: materials are provided using soft (webCT) formats to ensure they are available to all students of whatever nature.
LOs 1-5 Internationalisation: where relevant the law from other jurisdictions is considered for comparative purposes.

Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activity	Learning & Teaching Activity	NESH (Study Hours)
Face to face	Lecture	24
Face to face	Tutorial / Seminar / Class Groupwork	6
Independent Learning	Individual Learning Activities	168
	Formal Exam	2
	Total Study Hours	200
	Expected Total Study Hours for Module	200

Assessment
Type of Assessment	Weighting %	LOs covered	Week due	Length in Hours/Words
Essay	40	1-5	11	Words= 2000
Centrally Time Tabled Examination	60	1-5	14/15	Hours= 2
Component 1 subtotal:	40
Component 2 subtotal:	60
Module subtotal:	100

What you will learn and what this module is about:

This module provides students with an introduction to those aspects of law which relate to and govern the practise of forensic science. This includes criminal and civil law and procedure and in particular the law of evidence. Issues that have a direct bearing upon the finding, measuring and presenting of forensic evidence are central. The course also covers other legal and ethical matters that are required for accreditation with forensic science professional bodies.

Description of module content:

To consider the relationship between law and science. To provide an introduction to Scots criminal and civil law particularly as they relate to forensic evidence. To look at evidential issues raised by the nature of forensic evidence, the inferences to be drawn from evidence and the role of the expert in the courtroom. To develop a knowledge of the procedures, practices and guidelines regarding the obtaining, use and disposal of forensic data and information. To consider the increasingly relevant human rights and civil liberties issues in constitutional law which is formative on the development of such procedures, practices and guidelines.

Learning Outcomes for module:

LO1: Analyse and evaluate the law of evidence, procedure and substantive law in Scotland relating to the resolution of civil and criminal disputes and in particular those areas which are most likely to raise forensic issues.
LO2: Analyse and evaluate the nature and use of forensic evidence and particularly drug and alcohol analyses, merits and demerits of DNA evidence, finger, palm and ear-print evidence, blood patterns, graphology, biometrics, evidence of identity, IT forensics, use of statistics etc.
LO3: Analyse and evaluate the trends in the use of scientific evidence in court and in particular the issues relating to collection, storage and disposal of evidence and the retention of biometric information.
LO4: Evaluate the issues of civil liberties and human rights impinging upon forensic evidence and the need for a balance of interests to be struck.
LO5: Develop the skills to work effectively and research independently in planning and undertaking a complex task within an allotted time, carrying out research using library and Internet resources, leading to a written assignment.

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:

T1: James Chalmers 'Evidence essentials', Dundee University Press Ltd, 2006.
T2: Claire McDiarmid 'Criminal law essentials', Dundee University Press Ltd, 2006.
T3: Andrew R Jackson 'Forensic Science', Prentice Hall; 2 edition, 2007.

Click here to view this module's reading list.

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