| Credit |
6 points |
| Availability |
offshore teaching period |
| Outcomes |
Students gain an understanding of forensic science and how it can be applied to solve crime. |
| Content |
This unit commences with a crime scene detailing the procedures and protocols for revealing, handling and collecting evidence. The evidence requiring chemical analysis is sent to the laboratory where students are introduced to instrumental techniques commonly used in chemical analysis. Attention is paid to the strengths and weaknesses of each of the techniques, their use in tandem and the composite information they provide. Some of the topics include gas chromatography (GC) and particularly its use with mass spectrometric detection (GCMS); high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and its recent developments, especially the combination of liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LCMS). Students use these techniques and others to identify materials present at trace levels in complex mixtures. Some pieces of biological evidence are sent for DNA analysis. The topics covered include the principle of evidence analysis and recovery; disaster victim identification; forensic DNA profiling and related topics. The second part of the unit provides a background in the application of DNA methodology and analysis in forensic science. Armed with this forensic knowledge, students are presented with numerous case studies for analysis and interpretation. |
| Assessment |
This consists of a written report (50 per cent) and a two-hour examination (50 per cent).
Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course. |
| Unit Co-ordinator(s) |
Associate Professor Silvana Gaudieri |
| Location |
Singapore |
| Mode |
on-campus |
| Unit Rules |
| Advisable prior study: a background in biological or social sciences is recommended |
| Incompatibility: FNSC2200 Mysteries of Forensic Science |
Contact hours—lectures/labs: 9 hrs per week
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- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change.
- Assistance with study skills, including English language skills, is available free of charge from Student Services for all enrolled students (see http://www.studentservices.uwa.edu.au/ss/learning). Student Services location: Second Floor, South Wing, Guild Village; telephone: 6488 2423.
- Books and other materials wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary Reading', 'Recommended Reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available at the University Co-operative Bookshop (from early January) and appropriate administrative offices for students to consult. For first-year units the Bookshop will endeavour to make available photocopies of book lists for individual units. Books marked with an asterisk (*) are available in paperback.
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