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FSC-30005 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 28 April 2024

FSC-30005 - Interpretation, Evaluation and Presentation of Evidence
Coordinator: Georgina Handley Room: LJ0.17B Tel: +44 1782 7 33581
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25


Aims
This synoptic module will develop each student's ability to carry out the forensic examination of a crime scene then analyse and report on the evidence within the professional context. The fundamental role of the crime scene examination within the whole forensic and legal process will be stressed throughout this module. Particular attention will be paid to control, continuity and quality assurance, experimental design, interpretation using statistical tools and databases, report writing and oral presentation. Expert witness training and the development of skills in explaining and defending scientific work to a lay audience are integrated into the reporting aspects of this module.

Intended Learning Outcomes

explain and review critically the fundamental importance of
the crime scene examination to the overall forensic and
subsequent legal process: 1
describe and critically assess the issues around the acquisition of forensic evidence at a crime scene with particular attention to control, continuity, contamination, quality assurance and record-keeping: 1,3
devise and execute appropriate analytical and other methods for the examination of forensic materials, including setting up casework experiments: 2,3
interpret critically data from forensic analysis in a meaningful and structured manner, including the use of statistical tests and databases where appropriate: 2,3
report the results of forensic analysis both as a written report and orally in a form appropriate to a court of law and defend the conclusions under cross-examination: 3,4

Study hours

Taught sessions (Lectures, Laboratory work and crime scene examinations, problem classes) (72h)
Mock court including practice session (2h)
Project work, data analysis and report writing (50h)
Directed study and self-managed learning (176h)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 25%
CSI Portfolio
A portfolio consisting of practical and written skills assessments based on evidence examination skills, practical crime scene investigation and report writing. Equivalent to 2500 words. Some work will be completed in a small team.

2: Laboratory Assessment weighted 10%
Analytical Lab Report
A short report based on work completed in the analytical laboratory, equivalent to 500 words.

3: Report weighted 40%
Expert Witness Report
A court report equivalent to 4000 words on the analysis of evidence from a mock crime scene and its interpretation in light of the circumstances of the case. This forms the basis of the oral cross-examination.

4: Oral Exam weighted 25%
Cross-Examination
Cross examination within a mock court by two or three assessors on the expert witness report and its interpretation in the context of the case 15 minutes duration

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 28 April 2024