CQUniversity Unit Profile
SCIE11018 Introduction to Forensic Science
Introduction to Forensic Science
All details in this unit profile for SCIE11018 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit has been designed as an introductory level unit with broad appeal to a wide range of students. For example, students studying health, social work, nursing, psychology, education or business as well as those studying science-based subjects might consider this elective option offered by online delivery (distance education). Its aim is to enable you to develop an appreciation of contemporary forensic analysis, with a particular emphasis on understanding DNA methods and applications. Topics studied includes: the scope of forensic science; how crime scenes are processed and how trace evidence from such scenes is collected and analysed; the different types and significance of trace evidence, including hairs, fibres and fingerprints; forensic investigations of fires and explosions; forensic examination of body fluids and human remains; forensic DNA methods. The unit involves online group discussions, peer evaluation and self-assessment within some of the assessment tasks. You will also undertake literature research on aspects of DNA profiling as part of the written assessment.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

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 3 - 2023

Online

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Group Discussion
Weighting: 20%
2. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 30%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 50%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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 Feedback

Feedback

Students noted that all lectures are explained clearly. One student recommended that all lectures should have a transcript for easier understanding when the internet connection is breaking up.

Recommendation

This recommendation will be discussed with IT. I believe some of the lectures were previously subtitled for students with hearing issues. Subtitles will be included on videos in future where possible.

Feedback from Feedback

Feedback

All student feedback is extremely positive, including comments on how much they enjoyed lectures, content, presentation and discussions and many more similar comments that justify 100% total student satisfaction.

Recommendation

Continue to provide same level of support with high quality and interesting content.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Explain the scope and application of contemporary forensic science.
  2. Discuss, using specific case examples, the underlying principles governing forensic crime analysis.
  3. Explain the practical roles of the various sections of the forensic laboratory in the scientific investigation of different types of crime.
  4. Evaluate forensic journal articles, case information and other evidence in relation to contemporary forensic science.
  5. Engage in self-assessment, peer-assessment and group discussion with respect to forensic science topics.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Group Discussion - 20%
2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30%
3 - Written Assessment - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
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 - 20%
2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30%
3 - Written Assessment - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

Additional Textbook Information

All learning resources necessary for the unit's completion are available on the unit's Moodle page. 

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Dana Stanley Unit Coordinator
d.stanley@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

  • Introduction
  • Assessing the crime scene

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

  • Forensic microscopy
  • Isotopes in hair, fibres and paints

 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Hot Topic discussion forum 1 opens Monday 13/11/2023 at 12:00 AM and closes on 26/11/2023 at 23:45 PM.

Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

  • Fingerprints

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Hot Topic discussion forum 2 opens on 20/11/2023 at 12:00 AM and closes on 03/12/2023 at 23:45 PM.

Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

  • DNA evidence

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Hot Topic discussion forum 3 opens on 27/11/2023 at 12:00 AM and closes on 10/12/2023 at 23:45 PM.

Vacation Week Begin Date: 04 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 11 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

  • Serology and blood stain analysis

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 18 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

  • Fire and explosions    

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 25 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 01 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

  • Firearms and other impressions

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 08 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

  • Radiocarbon in teeth

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 15 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

  • Drugs and toxicology

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 22 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

  • Forensic anthropology, body farm research

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Contributions to forensic science - essay Due: Week 10 Monday (22 Jan 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 29 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

  • Forensic psychology

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 05 Feb 2024

Module/Topic

  • Forensic pathology

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Feb 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online quiz Due: Exam Week Tuesday (13 Feb 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Assessment Tasks

1 Group Discussion

Assessment Title
'Hot topic' discussion forums

Task Description

This assessment is based on your posts to the Hot Topic group discussion forums in Moodle. There will be three (3) graded Hot Topic forums. To get the best possible mark, you will need to contribute to all three forums. It is also recommended that you aim for five posts per forum. Each of the forums will be open for two weeks only, therefore, you will need to post to the forum within this time period. The opening and closing dates/times are listed in the Schedule section of this Unit Profile. The first forum will be open in week 2, the second in week 3 and the third in week 4. Your overall marks for the three forums will be released by the return date specified in this section. More help with this assessment will be available on the unit Moodle site.

In order to make this more effective for you, the class will be divided into groups of around twenty-five students so that you don’t have to read posts from everyone taking the unit this year. This change has been made in response to student feedback from earlier years because working through all of the discussion board posts was too time-consuming.

There is no minimum mark for this assessment therefore, you do not have to complete it. However, if you do not contribute to the forums, you will NOT qualify for a supplementary assessment (SA). Thus, if you do not pass the minimum grade for this unit via the other two assessments, you will not be able to take a supplementary assessment for discussion forums to pass the minimum grade.


Assessment Due Date

The 3 forums will run for two weeks each during weeks 2-5.


Return Date to Students

We will aim to provide the feedback within 4 weeks after the last forum post.


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

Note: each assessment criterion will be marked on a scale from 0 to 5, giving a total of 20 marks across all four criteria:

  1. Quality of contributions - in terms of their relevance to the discussion.
  2. Scholarly contributions - based on evidence of use of wider reading and academic 'detective work', to address the discussion topic.
  3. Breadth of contributions - based on the number of relevant postings within the forum.
  4. Interactivity of contributions - engages in discussion with other student posts.

 

There is more help available on Moodle for this assessment.

 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Students must contribute to the 'Hot topic' discussion forums.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Engage in self-assessment, peer-assessment and group discussion with respect to forensic science topics.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online quiz

Task Description

This assessment task will take the form of a 45 minute online ‘open book’ multiple choice quiz in Moodle. There are 30 questions drawn from a pool based on material derived from the weekly learning materials. The quiz questions cover all of the topics from week 1 to week 11 inclusive.

It is essential that you have studied all the material on these topics by the date of the assessment so that you are well-prepared to make the most of the quiz. While the ‘open book’ nature of the quiz will enable you to make one or two checks for those questions where you are unsure of the exact answer, you will not have enough time to read the material. Please ensure that you are well-prepared to take the assessment.

A trial version of the online quiz will be available in Moodle for practice before attempting the actual assessment. This Sample/Practice Quiz will have the same 30 questions for everyone, and its purpose is to expose you to the quiz setup and flow. It will not shuffle the questions for each next user.

Note - make sure that you ‘submit’ your answers before the time is up, or you will be timed out after a maximum of 45 minutes, and all of your answers will be lost.

The quiz will open one week prior to the due date of the assessment. You will have one attempt only. This assessment task must be completed by the due date specified. In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete the quiz at a later date.

If you have any technical problems during the quiz itself, you need to contact the unit coordinator, Dana Stanley, as soon as possible on the day of the assessment. Contact details will be available on the unit Moodle site.

 


Number of Quizzes

1


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Exam Week Tuesday (13 Feb 2024) 11:45 pm AEST

You must start this quiz at least one hour before the quiz closes.


Return Date to Students

Student will receive their mark for the quiz as feedback immediately on completion of the quiz (details of correct answers to each question are not released, as some questions may be re-used in subsequent assessments).


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
To pass this unit and demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes, you need to score at least 50 % for the quiz.

Assessment Criteria

Each answer will be given one mark if correct and 0 marks if incorrect (30 marks in total).

There will be no negative marking, so you should attempt all 30 questions.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Complete the quiz on Moodle site before the due date.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain the scope and application of contemporary forensic science.
  • Explain the practical roles of the various sections of the forensic laboratory in the scientific investigation of different types of crime.


Graduate Attributes
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Technology Competence

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Contributions to forensic science - essay

Task Description

 

Over the past century, advancements in forensic science have changed the way that many crime scenes have been processed. Greater scientific understanding, improved methodologies and new technologies have all contributed to the body of evidence used in criminal prosecutions.

 

Please write an essay discussing the role of forensics in solving crimes related to the use of DNA evidence. Your discussion should include details of the historical development and improvement of methods and technologies, their contributions to forensic science, the use or misuse of evidence in criminal prosecutions, and the application and limitations (pros and cons) of this area of evidence. Your discussion should also be supported with appropriate case examples.

Please note that each of the forensic methodologies is an independent lecture and that lecture order in Moodle is mostly randomly selected. Thus, after watching the week one introduction and crime scene lecture, you can go directly to the week with lectures relevant to this essay in order to start working on your assignment as soon as possible.

Your assessment should be approximately 1500 words (you should not go over 2000 words without references), and should be written using correct grammar and English expression. It should be well-presented using plain text such as Times New Roman or Arial size 12 font. Please use 1.5 or 2 line spacing and do not use background images or themes. Include a cover page with your name, student number and title. There is more help available on Moodle for this assessment.

All essays will automatically be submitted to the similarity detection website Turnitin, in accordance with CQUniversity policy. Please ensure all work is your own and has not previously been submitted elsewhere.

The due date is set for week 10, however, I encourage you to aim for earlier submission. Whenever you choose to submit, we will aim to give the feedback and marks within two weeks. You will have an option to get one-on-one help and feedback before you submit.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Monday (22 Jan 2024) 11:45 pm AEST

Students must submit their assessment via the unit Moodle site.


Return Date to Students

Your marked assessment will be returned via Moodle.


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50 %

Assessment Criteria

Marks will be awarded for:

  • Original style and arguments (10 marks).
  • Contribution of the topic to forensic science (20 marks)
  • Pros and cons of the topic clearly argued in terms of its applications and limitations to forensic science (20 marks).
  • Discussion appropriately supported by case examples (20 marks).
  • Appropriate citations used and referencing consistent in format throughout (10 marks).
  • Neat, 1.5 or 2 line spacing, using size 12 font. Adheres to the word limit (10 marks).
  • The structure follows a story, no jumping back and front to the same topic. Tables and figures, if used, are well presented, titled and referred to in the text (10 marks).


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Students must submit their assessment via the unit Moodle site.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain the scope and application of contemporary forensic science.
  • Discuss, using specific case examples, the underlying principles governing forensic crime analysis.
  • Evaluate forensic journal articles, case information and other evidence in relation to contemporary forensic science.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

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?