Overview
This unit will provide you with the opportunity to consolidate and apply all of the accident investigation and analysis theory studied in the Accident Forensics course. You will write a detailed accident investigation report, embracing the learnings of the entire Accident Forensics curriculum. During the residential school, you will be observing and reflecting on a demonstration court, and you will present evidence from your report and be cross-examined in the simulated court environment.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: AINV13003 Crash Lab Project 1 and Corequisite: AINV13004 Learning from Failure
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 2 - 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 General feedback
Continue to include the modern technologies and a forensic expert who uses these technologies in their role.
Continue to engage casual lecturers with current operational experience to demonstrate contemporary forensic methods.
- Prepare a detailed report and present evidence on a designated accident investigation
- Critically evaluate the usefulness of observed court processes, evidence and outcomes in Accident Forensics
- Employ effective communication strategies appropriate to disseminating findings from a major accident
- Demonstrate reflective skills appropriate to the development of the graduating accident investigator.
Nil
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Group Discussion - 0% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 80% | ||||
| 3 - Practical Assessment - 20% | ||||
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 - Written Assessment - 80% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Practical Assessment - 20% | ||||||||||
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
Zoom Lecture - Introduction and expectations
Moodle and the term ahead
Investigation Reporting
Purpose of the report
Knowing your audience
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Zoom Lecture - Investigation Reporting
Structure and what goes in a good report?
Language
Report assessment
Road Testing your Report Structure
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Group Discussion 1 due 09.00am Friday 23 July 2021
Module/Topic
Zoom Lecture - Investigation Reporting
Looking at all of the lines of inquiry
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Zoom Lecture - Investigation Reporting
Revisiting logic diagrams & narration
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Group Discussion 2 due 09.00am Friday 6 August 2021
Module/Topic
Zoom Lecture - Investigation Reporting
Writing your analysis
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Draft report required to be provided to Course Coordinators email on Monday 17 August 2020
Group Discussion 3 due 09.00am Friday 20 August 2021
Module/Topic
Zoom Lecture - Investigation reporting
Writing conclusions & recommendations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Zoom Q & A session
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Recorded Lecture - Court
Background to Court Procedures
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Recorded Lecture - Court
Law in relation to Evidence
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Court Procedures Discussion and Report Part A due 09.00am Monday 13 September 2021
Module/Topic
Recorded Lecture - Court
Giving Evidence
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Formal Investigation Report report due Monday 20 September 2021 9am AEST
Module/Topic
Recorded Lecture - Court
Other Issues
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Residential school - Rockhampton.
6-8 October 2021
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Court Procedures Discussion and Report Part B - Proofing of evidence to be undertaken during the residential school. Unit coordinator to allocate times.
Delivery of appropriately bound copy of Formal report to Unit Coordinator 9am - 6 October 2021.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
.
1 Group Discussion
During the term, your Unit Coordinator will post three discussion questions in Moodle, aimed at enabling you to apply your skills to the report and maintain reasonable progress. You are required to respond thoughtfully to each of the three discussion questions through a post on the Moodle site, as well as reply constructively on the Moodle site to at least two other students' post in each of the three discussion questions. The questions are:
- Examine 2 example reports and discuss how they structured their reports. How are these reports different to the structure that the Accident Forensics program requires? What additional information is required in our reports and what benefit does it provide? (approx 750 words) Appropriately referenced. Also constructively reply to two of your colleagues posts.
- What are some new lines of enquiry in your investigation from what you have learned in Human Factors Investigation and Learning from Failure?
- If you were giving evidence on your case, what would you focus on? For example: Although you are guided by counsel, you obviously have strong points within your investigation, so what are they, and why are they so strong. Also what would you try and steer clear of, as you have identified as not a strong area of your knowledge and report.
As per study schedule
Within three weeks
You will be assessed on your demonstration of reflective skills appropriate to the development of the graduating practitioner.
The following areas will be assessed:
- Demonstrated understanding of the question/task
- Stated position or argument clearly & concisely
- Supported position with authoritative sources & referenced
- Constructive response to at least two other students
- Engagement as a responsible member of the learning community.
- Prepare a detailed report and present evidence on a designated accident investigation
- Demonstrate reflective skills appropriate to the development of the graduating accident investigator.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Written Assessment
You are to complete the analysis and investigation of your Crash Lab Project 1 / Investigative Methods Practice accident and prepare a detailed report of the investigation.
The report should demonstrate all the learnings from the Accident Forensics course to date.
The investigation needs to be thorough and must contain at least thirty lines of enquiry demonstrated in your event tree. During this term, students are expected to develop additional lines of enquiry, incorporating learnings from other third year units, especially the principles of human factors investigation and AINV13004 Learning from Failure. Accordingly you may request additional evidence for your scenario.
The final report will be assessed on the content, logic and comprehensiveness of the report. Detailed guidance will be provided during the term as to the content of the report. As a minimum the following sections are to be addressed in your report:
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Description of the Accident
- Description of the Investigation
- Analysis and testing, including Timeline, PEEPO and Event Tree
- Relevant learnings from similar accidents
- Research of relevant legislation, codes and standards that have a bearing on the causal factors.
- Findings
- Conclusions
- Recommendations
- Attachments (All investigation artefacts, including logs, continuity records photographs, scene maps, witness statements, evidence logs, logic diagrams etc)
- References (It is expected your report will be fully referenced including references from literature, legislation, codes and standards).
Additional information, support and practice opportunities will be available throughout the term.
You are required to submit a digital copy of your completed report by the due date via the Moodle site.
Within three weeks
- Introduction
- Establishment of the facts and supports evidence from the scene in the form of relevant photographs, sketches and maps
- Photographs accurately depict the scene management and evidence collection process. They are cross-referenced and recorded accurately.
- The final scale map accurately depicts the accident scene, based on the information provided on the sketch map.
- Witness statements are included in the evidence
- Critical witness evidence is taken into consideration in the causation argument
- PEEPO
- Timeline
- Event Tree showing a minimum of 30 lines of inquiry, all causation sequences back to the latent failures for each line of inquiry.
- Causation narrative describing all of the causation sequences leading to the event
- Analysis considers other accidents of same type
- Logical conclusions are drawn from the evidence and analysis
- Recommendations are made to address each causal factors
- Report demonstrates application of knowledge from throughout the program
- Formatting & presentation
- Uses written expression appropriate to a report
- Sources and referencing (eg. company documents, Australian Standards, Codes of Practice, legislation)
Criteria 1-6: Introduction and evidence - 20 marks
Criteria 7-9: Analysis of evidence - 25 marks
Criteria 10-14: Conclusions & recommendations - 25 marks
Criteria 15-17: Professional report formatting, written expression and referencing - 10 marks
- Prepare a detailed report and present evidence on a designated accident investigation
- Employ effective communication strategies appropriate to disseminating findings from a major accident
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Practical Assessment
This assessment consists of two parts.
Part A : Demonstration Court and Reflection (20%)
You will be provided a prosecution brief of evidence prepared by an investigator You will also be provided with a recording of a demonstration court which will show two investigators providing evidence. You are required to watch the recording. You will discuss your learnings and write a guided reflection on the effectiveness of the prosecution's case, including the presentation of evidence in the court and the effectiveness of witness testimony. Questions will be provided in Moodle to guide your reflection.
Part B : Investigator under cross examination (Pass/Fail)
You will be required to be available to defend your final report under scrutiny from a Lawyer. You will be required to attend in person during the residential school and provide answers under an evidence proofing environment regarding your report.
You are required to have 2 copies of your report appropriately bound by the commencement of the residential school. One copy must be delivered to the Unit Coordinator by 6 October 2021 at 9am for use by the Lawyer.
The Part A is due Fri 7/9/20. Part B will be undertaken during Exam week
Within 2 weeks of submission date
Part A: Demonstration court and reflection (20%)
Reflection and learnings on the following areas:
- Importance of accurate evidence being collected and recorded during an investigation in the preparation of an accident report - 4 marks
- The role of an investigator in the court process as observed in the demonstration court -4 marks
- Any changes that you would make if required to undertake an investigation again - 4 marks
- How you would prepare for being cross examined in the future - 4 marks
- Written expression - 4 marks
Part B: Investigator under cross examination (Pass/Fail)
You will be assessed on your actions within the evidence proofing process including:
- Knowledge of your report
- Understanding of the tools used within your report
- Confidence and consistence whilst under scrutiny
- Professionalism and respect for the lawyer
- Critically evaluate the usefulness of observed court processes, evidence and outcomes in Accident Forensics
- Employ effective communication strategies appropriate to disseminating findings from a major accident
- Communication
- 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?
