SLE112 - Fundamentals of Forensic Science
Unit details
Year | 2025 unit information |
---|---|
Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
Credit point(s): | 1 |
Previously coded as: | SBF111 |
EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Xavier Conlan |
Prerequisite: | Nil |
Corequisite: | SLE010 |
Incompatible with: | SLEM112 |
Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1 hour lecture per week, 1 x 1 hour seminar per week, 3 x 3 hour practical experience (laboratory) per trimester. |
Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
SLE112 is a fundamental forensics unit, during which students will explore forensic science in an Australian context and learn the challenges and differences of forensic science in a global context. This includes some of the key principles used to study the science, including Locard's exchange principle, principle of individuality, comparative analysis, and class and individual characteristics. Students will engage in activities that will require them to apply forensic processes from a forensic laboratory to the court. It will also require them to apply introductory forensic analysis including chemical, biological, and physical techniques and learn about the legal system including the laws of evidence and the role of the forensic scientist as an expert witness.
Learning Outcomes
ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
---|---|---|
ULO1 | Apply the fundamental principles of Forensic Science and explain various disciplines within forensic science and the contributions they make in a forensic investigation. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
ULO2 | Consider the workings of the Australian legal system, evaluate the legal processes involved in forensic judgement and reflect on the process. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
ULO3 | Demonstrate practical skills in a range of forensic disciplines to obtain and communicate forensic laboratory results in a standard written scientific format. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Assessment
Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
---|---|---|---|
Assessment 1 Online tests | Two 50-minute online tests | 30% (2 x 15%) | Weeks 6 and 11 |
Assessment 2 Assignment | 2,500 word written report | 25% | Week 8 |
Assessment 3 Practical reports and practical skills demonstration | Three written practical reports, and three practical skills demonstrations | 45% (3 x 10%, 3 x 5%) (Reports, Demonstrations) | Within 1 week of practical session completion |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Hurdle requirement
To be eligible to obtain a pass in this unit, students must achieve at least 50% in the practical report and practical skills demonstration assessment.
Learning resource
Prescribed text(s): Saferstein, 2014, Criminalistics: Introduction to Forensic Science Global Edition, 11th edition, Pearson Education.
The texts and reading list for SLE112 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
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