SLE112 - Fundamentals of Forensic Science
Unit details
| Year | 2026 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: Victoria Berezowski |
| Prerequisite | Nil |
| Corequisite | STP010, 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, 4 x 4 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. |
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
Each unit in your course is a building block towards Deakin's Graduate Learning Outcomes - not all units develop and assess every Graduate Learning Outcome (GLO).
| 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 Court visit report | Court report | 20% | Week 6 |
| Assessment 2 Forensic case report | Analysis and review of a forensic case report | 20% | Week 10 |
| Assessment 3 Technical skills demonstration | Four technical skills demonstrations and data recording aligned with practical sessions | 60% (4 x 15%) | Completed within the practical session time allocation |
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 requirements
To be eligible to obtain a pass in this unit, students must achieve at least 50% in AT3 Technical skills demonstration.
Learning resource
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.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit fee information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.