SLE454 - Advanced Topics in Forensic Science
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes | Semester 2: Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Credit point(s) | 1 |
| EFTSL value | 0.125 |
| Unit chair | Semester 2: Mikayla Milanovic |
| Cohort rule | This unit is only available to students enrolled in S400, S401 |
| Prerequisite | Nil |
| Corequisite | Nil |
| Incompatible with | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment | 3 full-day practical experiences (workshops) (18 hours in total). |
| 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
This unit will develop an understanding of the processes and concepts that are key to forensic science and its implementation in a professional context. The aim of the unit is to engender an understanding and appreciation of important concepts in forensic science professionalism and how they can influence the judicial process. The unit will cover topics such as expert evidence including the development and ethical implications to the court, legal communication through a moot court presentation, professional practice in the court procedure for forensic experts and understanding the legal implications of presenting forensic cases to the print and electronic media.
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 | Understand and criticise important issues in the application of expert forensic evidence. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO2 | Formulate and demonstrate the use of documentation critical to the legal process in forensic cases. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO3 | Appreciate the electronic and print media in forensic science. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital literacy |
| ULO4 | Plan and defend expert forensic evidence for a moot court environment. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO6: Self-management |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 Moot court presentation | 1-hour oral presentation | 60% | Week 11 |
| Assessment 2 Expert evidence | Written statements and video presentation | 40% | Week 12 |
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.
Learning resource
There is no prescribed text. Unit materials are provided via the unit site. This includes unit topic readings and references to further information.
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Unit fee information
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