Overview
This unit will provide students the opportunity to consolidate and apply all of the accident investigation and analysis theory studied in the Accident Forensics course to a real accident scenario. Learners will take a leadership role in planning and conducting a detailed accident investigation. Post investigation the learner will be required to analyse the accident causation sequences and linkages by applying an event tree or equivalent method.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prereq: AINV11001 Real World Investigation and AINV11002 Socio-technical Systems and AINV12001 Investigation Methods Practice and AINV12002 Accident Phenomenology and AINV12003 Accident Forensics and coreq: AINV13001 Accident Analysis
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2021
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Residential Schools
This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Have Your Say
Students enjoyed the use of SCENE2GO software that allowed the use of immersive technologies from the students' own computer.
Include immersive technologies in future offerings of this unit to prepare students for the residential schools.
Feedback from Have Your Say
Students enjoyed the introduction to the various technologies now used in the area of accident investigation
Continue to provide information and exposure to the contemporary technological methods used in accident investigation.
- Plan and conduct a detailed accident investigation.
- Analyse the accident causation sequences and linkages by applying an event tree or equivalent method.
- Employ effective communication strategies appropriate to a major accident investigation.
- Demonstrate reflective skills appropriate to the development of the graduating practitioner.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Group Discussion - 0% | ||||
| 2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 50% | ||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Group Discussion - 0% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
k.perry@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Lecture:
Introduction to the unit:
- Unit expectations
- Moodle tour
Chapter
Dell, W, 2016, Accident Forensics Evidence Study Guide, CQUniversity, Gladstone
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture:
Advanced Accident scene investigation
- Incident response
- Actions at the scene
- Processing and recording the scene
- Scene examination conclusion
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture:
Technology Forensics
- Overview of the DJI Phantom 4 Pro Drone & RTK
- Mapping with drones
- Introduction to VR
- Examining and investigating in VR
- Court room presentations using technology
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Recorded lecture:
Advanced statement taking
- Powers to take statements
- Identifying witnesses
- Planning the statement
- Hostile and uncooperative witnesses
- Use of various methods to take statements
- PEACE
- Cognitive interviewing
- 5 part statement
- Differences in approach to witness vs possible defendant
Chapter
Bennett, M. and Hess, J.E., 1991. Cognitive Interviewing. FBI L. Enforcement Bull., 60, p.8.
Rossmo, K. 2006 Criminal Investigative Failures Pt 1
Rossmo, K. 2006 Criminal Investigative Failures Pt 2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Identifying and collecting post scene visit evidence
- Powers to request for evidence
- Sources of evidence
- Access to evidence
Collating the Data - What are your facts?
- Facts v assumptions
- Sorting the 'wheat from the chaff'
- Verifying and validating facts.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Preparation for residential school
&
Presentation Skills
- Use of visual media
- Presentation styles - Good & Bad
- Terminology - Know your audience
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Risk Assessment due (22 April 2021) 09:00 hrs AM AEST
Module/Topic
Residential School - Bundaberg Crash Lab
9am 29 April - 5pm 2 May 2021
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Report writing
- Purpose
- Audiences
- Report structure
- Writing style
- Ethics and integrity
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Presentation slides due (3 May 2021) 09:00 hrs AM AEST
Crash Lab activities & Portfolio Due: Week 8 Monday (3 May 2021) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Conducting your Accident Analysis
- Developing your Preliminary Analysis
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Narratives & Reflections
- Writing narratives accurately
- Reflecting and using this in future work.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Moodle task due (17 May 2021) 09:00 hrs AM AEST
Moodle Task Due: Week 10 Monday (17 May 2021) 10:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Zoom Q & A session (if required)
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Zoom Q & A session (if required)
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Group Discussion
Students are required to select an accident that has been reported in the media during the term. From the information provided in the media (including the internet), students are to develop an investigation plan relating to the accident. The areas should include, but not limited to the following:
- Logistics
- Preparation
- Hazards that may be encountered and control measures employed
- On site evidentiary material you would expect to collect
- Engagement of experts/testing required
- Post site visit evidentiary material that would be requested
- Legal implications that may be encountered, or need to be aware of.
The submission can be in a well structured dot point format and uploaded along with the source articles.
You are also required to constructively respond and provide feedback to one of your peers.
This is a Pass/Fail Assessment.
Week 10 Monday (17 May 2021) 10:00 am AEST
Two weeks after the submission date
The report content should be be a maximum of 1,000 words and demonstrate a good understanding of planning an investigation.
Your constructive feedback to your peer should be approximately 250 words.
This is a Pass/Fail Discussion Assessment.
- Employ effective communication strategies appropriate to a major accident investigation.
- Demonstrate reflective skills appropriate to the development of the graduating practitioner.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Practical and Written Assessment
During the Crash Lab Project residential school, students will work in investigation teams to investigate a series of accidents. Each student will lead one team and work as a team member on a number of teams led by other students.
You will be accountable for the integrity of the investigation in which you are the leader. This includes responsibility for:
- Managing your investigation team
- Safety at the accident scene
- Preservation of the the accident scene
- Gathering and continuity of evidence
- Identifying and interviewing witnesses
- Obtaining witness statements
- Identifying and collecting documentary and other evidence
- Creating and maintaining appropriate logs
- Initial analysis of the accident
- Initial preparation of the applicable logic diagrams
Your practical application of the relevant theory will be assessed during the residential school against each of these subject areas. You and your team will collect evidence throughout the residential school. We will verify your understanding of your collected evidence Portfolio at the end of the residential school.
In addition, you will be required to prepare and deliver a presentation, supported by Powerpoint and other relevant artefacts, that describes your investigation, your preliminary analysis, including your preliminary logic diagrams.
There will be four parts to this this assessment:
Part A : Preparedness (5%)
- Risk Assessment
Part B : Advanced Scene Management and Evidence Collection (25%)
- Accident Scenario - Team Leader Assessment
- Collected evidence Portfolio
Part C : Initial Analysis (10%)
- Verbal Presentation supported by visual materials
Part D : Professionalism (10%)
- Throughout the residential school, students will be assessed on their ability to apply professional approaches to all activities.
The majority of the assessment will be completed during the residential school. Your completed Powerpoint presentation should also be uploaded into the applicable assessment lodgement area in Moodle by 0900 hours on the Monday following the residential school.
NOTE: In order for all students to satisfactorily complete this assessment, it will be necessary for students in the investigation teams to share their collected evidence, artefacts, photos, maps, documents, records and logs etc with their team leader/s in a timely fashion. To facilitate this, students should each bring an appropriate USB stick to the residential school to facilitate the transfer of files.
Failure to share with your team leader (your evidence, artefacts, photos, maps, documents, records and logs etc collected during the investigation activities at the residential school) in a timely fashion, will result in your failure of this assessment task.
Week 8 Monday (3 May 2021) 9:00 am AEST
Within 3 weeks of submission date
The detailed assessment criteria for each part will be provided and explained during the term. In summary, students will be assessed on their demonstration of:
PART A: - Pre-planning (5%)
Students are required to provide a completed effective risk assessment on Moodle by 23 April 2021 0900 AEST.
PART B: - Scene Management & Evidence Collection (25%)
Accident Scenario - Team Leader Assessment
Collected evidence – has collected, engaged with and can verbally explain the photos, sketch map and log sheets done by their team. Has witness statements to appropriate standard and has interviewed a number of witnesses. Has sufficient materials and understanding to be able to prepare a report. Recognises weaknesses in collected materials and has a plan to address them
PART C: – Preliminary Analysis (10%)
Presentation – Presentation style, formatting, content & preliminary event tree logic diagram
PART D:– Professionalism (10%)
Throughout the residential school, students are expected to apply professional approaches to all activities.
- Plan and conduct a detailed accident investigation.
- Analyse the accident causation sequences and linkages by applying an event tree or equivalent method.
- Employ effective communication strategies appropriate to a major accident investigation.
- Demonstrate reflective skills appropriate to the development of the graduating practitioner.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Written Assessment
The work carried out in this assessment will form the basis for the final project in AINV13006 - Crash Lab Project 2. The standard of work undertaken in this assessment will directly affect the quality of your work in AINV13006.
Submission shall be one file for each of the Parts A & B. Files must be in .docx or .pdf format.
PART A (40%) - Preliminary report
During the Crash Lab Project residential school each student will lead an investigation team.
For this assessment task you must:
- Obtain copies of all the relevant physical and documentary evidence, photographs, logs, interview statements etc collected by the members of your investigation team as part of the investigation in which you were team leader.
- Undertake analysis of the accident and prepare a preliminary event tree.
- Participate in tutorials to ensure that you and your peers have a greater understanding of the relevant investigation and lines of enquiry.
- Prepare a preliminary analysis, including a narrative of causation which aligns with the causation logic of your event tree.
- Present material in a preliminary report format
Assessment
The grade for this Assessment task accounts for 40% of the total assessment for this course.
Note: This exercise and preliminary report forms basis for your final report in AINV13006 - Crash Lab Project 2.
Your submission for the preliminary report will include the following materials collected to date:
- Executive Summary pertaining the accident you were managing
- Table of contents
- Background of accident you were managing
- Timeline
- PEEPO
- Event Tree
- Causation Narrative
- Discussion of lines of enquiry (including those eliminated)
- Evidence Logs
- Continuity Logs
- Photographic Logs and Photos
- Maps (Sketch and scale)
- Witness statements and/or records of interview (at least 5)
- List of documentary evidence you have collected
- An outline of the evidence you are going to seek to assist with your investigation (Investigation plan)
PART B (10%) - Reflection
You will be required to reflect on your preparedness for professional practice. For Part B of this assessment task, you are required to:
- Reflect on your learning in the Bachelor of Accident Forensics course to date.
- Complete a self assessment of your Part A report (using criteria provided by your lecturer).
- Identify your strengths and weaknesses in relation to each of the crash lab activities (eg evidence collection, logic diagrams etc).
- Explain how you will address any shortcomings prior to your industry placement.
Week 12 Monday (31 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Two weeks following submission.
The detailed assessment criteria for each part will be provided and explained during the term.
PART A - Accident Analysis (40%)
Your report will be assessed on the:
- Description of the accident
- Quality of the logic diagrams (PEEPO, Timeline and Event Tree)
- Depth of analysis
- Identification of latent failures
- Consideration of similar accidents
- Causation narrative alignment to logic diagrams
- Written expression
- Presentation of report and materials
- Sources and referencing
PART B - Self-reflection (10%)
Your self-reflection will be assessed on your:
- Critical Reflection of own learning and performance
- Reflection on your preparation and capacity for leadership of investigation teams
- Reflection on your professional practice confidence and competence during the residential school activities
- Self assessment of the quality of your own work
- Plan to extend strengths and address shortcomings
- Written expression
- Plan and conduct a detailed accident investigation.
- Analyse the accident causation sequences and linkages by applying an event tree or equivalent method.
- Employ effective communication strategies appropriate to a major accident investigation.
- Demonstrate reflective skills appropriate to the development of the graduating practitioner.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
