Admission and Unit Information - Bachelor of Science (Forensic Science)

How many species walk, fly, swim or slither, crawl, hop, wriggle or just float, hitchhike or move so slowly that they appear not to move at all? No one knows and new species appear almost every day. This unit focuses on this spectacular diversity of living things and the process of evolution. Students explore and classify biodiversity and how organisms function, acquire and assimilate resources and co-ordinate growth and reproduction. Organisms interact with one another and their environment forming a complex set of interactions in ecosystems. It is these interactions that have driven evolution. Ultimately human survival depends on the sustainable use of this biodiversity and ecosystems.

This unit is designed to provide students with scientific literacy and generic skills required to successfully undertake science-related undergraduate studies. Students learn, develop and utilise academic and interpersonal methodologies within the context of applied scientific principles in society and take responsibility for their own learning. Students are introduced to the contestable and uncertain nature of science and the scientific method. Activities encourage development of self-confidence, self-efficacy, creative thinking through problem solving, group process, communication and peer support. Academic skills include scientific reading and report writing, researching scientific information and library skills, oral presentation, taking tests and exams, effective personal and group based learning strategies, peer assessment, and online learning.

This unit provides an introduction to some of the essential knowledge, concepts and skills of chemistry, to serve the needs of students majoring in chemistry and those requiring a working knowledge of chemistry. Observable chemical facts and phenomena including structure, dynamics, and energetics, are explained in terms of current mathematical and visual models and further developed in Essential Chemistry 2. Evidence for chemical understanding is provided using IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and computer molecular modelling. Laboratory skills relate theory to practice through the development of practical skills required to determine the concentration of an analyte using volumetric and spectrophotometric analysis.

This unit aims to give students a basic understanding of scientific methodology as it applies to the collection, analysis and interpretation of forensic evidence. Students are introduced to a range of analytical methods that are used with various types of forensic evidence, and these are discussed in relation to case studies. The role of human factors is discussed, together with the importance of critically evaluating forensic evidence and the means by which it was obtained.

Cells are the most basic form of all life, and underlying normal cell function are the molecules used to build complex cellular structures, generate energy, and propagate dynamic life. The unit will study the fundamental processes through which key biomolecules, including lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids and nucleic acids, are manipulated to generate and store energy, and build a broad array of important biological macromolecules including DNA, membranes and proteins. To sustain life, cells respire for energy and replicate for growth and sexual reproduction. Accordingly the unit will examine cellular respiration, transcription, translation, mitosis, meiosis, transmission and how the genetic code is inherited and modified providing students insights into the phenomena of life. The role of DNA technology in the fields of medicine, biomolecular plant and animal science, food, forensic and environmental science will provide students with real world applications.

This unit introduces an investigation of the reactivity of covalent molecules, in particular, of carbon-based compounds. Focussing on introductory chemical dynamics and thermodynamics, students will develop an in-depth understanding of the structure, nomenclature and reactivity of the principal organic functional groups, extending their basic principles of chemistry. They will also understand how molecules are synthesised and the ways they react being important in the function and role of chemistry in biological systems in our domestic and industrial worlds.

This unit introduces students to various statistical techniques necessary in scientific endeavours. Presentation of the content will emphasize the correct principles and procedures for collecting and analysing scientific data, using a hands-on approach. Topics include effective methods of gathering data, statistical principles of designing experiments, error analysis, describing different sets of data, probability distributions, statistical inference, non-parametric methods, and simple linear regression and correlation.

This level 1 unit develops the quantitative skills that underpin many fields of study in the sciences. The content covered includes basic algebra, functions, graphs, equations, linear and quadratic, introductory probability and descriptive statistics. These mathematical/statistical concepts will be revised and developed using scientific concepts such as molarity and dilution, optical density, population growth, and predator-prey models. In all aspects of this unit, students will be developing and using critical thinking skills to solve mathematical/statistical problems set in a scientific context.

This unit aims to provide an overview to police investigations with a specific focus on the use of physical and behavioural types of evidence, in the context of information-based investigative practices. The lectures will consider the objectives and history of investigation and forensic science, the impact of science on criminal law, modes of criminal identification, information-gathering, as well as criminal motivation and victimology. Specific investigative challenges - such as responding to serial crimes and international criminal networks - are also considered in this unit as they defy traditional investigative methods to produce innovative responses. The unit includes both theoretical and practical perspectives relating to evidence in order to situate criminal investigations in a larger historical, social and legal context. The tutorials will adopt a workshop approach to assist students to engage with and critically evaluate contemporary criminal investigations.

This unit introduces students to the adversarial system, the legislative context of everyday policing, and the different forms of state and federal courts. It includes an emphasis on police powers (NSW and elsewhere), summary and indictable offences, and the role of enforcement and discretion. In particular alternative resolution, specialist courts and Australian Indigenous Law are described and their role and function analysed. This unit is of value to students in policing, criminology, law, and community welfare.

This unit extends the student's knowledge and experience of analytical techniques by applying them to forensic investigations and analysis in the environmental and food sciences. It will provide an understanding of the chemical and physical principles underlying the use of instrumentation in chemical analysis. Topics include principles of spectroscopic techniques, separation methods; sample collection and storage; presumptive testing; modern chemical instrumentation for gas and liquid chromatography; atomic spectroscopy; mass spectroscopy; x-ray methods and spectroscopic methods.

Genetics has a lot to do with sex and how genes are passed from one generation to the next. This unit introduces the student to the important conceptual issues in genetics from Mendel to DNA, from chromosomes to population genetics and from peas and fruit flies to genomics. While there is an emphasis on Mendelian and population genetics the unit also covers important concepts in molecular genetics demonstrating the link between genotype and phenotype. As the semester proceeds students are encouraged to makes links between concepts and problem solving through a series of exercises that enhance an analytical view of genetics.

Documenting perishable and non-perishable forensic evidence is an important element of forensic science practice. This unit introduces the student to the fundamental principles and practices of forensic photography. Topics include; conceptual and applied aspects of maintaining image integrity for forensic evidence, principles of light science, digital imaging, camera and lighting operations, concepts associated with visual communication in forensic science, and concepts associated with technical photography composition.

Most forensic evidence used in the prosecution of criminal cases is initially established at the crime scene. Recognising, recovering, preserving and recording this evidence forms a critical function within forensic science and criminal investigation. This unit introduces the student to a range of crime scene practices that provides the knowledge and skill to unpack a complex scene with voluminous detail, into a more specifically targeted range of forensic evidence items. This unit will explore aspects of crime scene investigation including; crime scene processes, recognition of evidence, documentation of crime scenes, evidence detection and enhancement at the scene, maintaining evidence integrity, footwear impression evidence, fingerprinting, blood spatter analysis, toolmarks and trace evidence. It further introduces professional practices associated with maintaining evidence integrity and continuity.

Molecular biology is central to many fields of the biomedical and natural sciences, and includes genetics, immunology, cell biology, biochemistry, and forensics. Through comparative studies of different organisms, this unit will describe fundamental concepts and methods in the study of DNA and RNA and the application of molecular biology in advanced fields such as genomics. Subjects will include DNA replication; transcriptional, post-transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of gene expression; microarrays, and an introduction to bioinformatics. Practical work will provide opportunities to become familiar with the methods of molecular biology, with an emphasis on the development of problem solving and analytical skills

Forensic photography is a critical area within the forensic sciences and an important skill for forensic practitioners. This unit explores the application of imaging science and forensic photography to preserve and enhance forensic evidence. The units focus is mostly on optical and digital enhancement methods that provide essential and non-destructive methods of enhancing physical evidence. It further provides the learner with the necessary theoretical concepts of imaging science that underpins the conceptual aspects of evidence enhancement. Topics include; optical enhancement of forensic evidence, digital enhancement of evidence, the detection of photographic forgeries, invisible radiation photography, polarising photomicroscopy, brightfield and darkfield illumination, optical filters, specialised lighting methods, photomacrography, polarisation photography, photographic science.

Forensic biology is a multi disciplinary science involving analysis of a variety of forensic samples such as; sexual assault, fingerprint, entomological and blood and serology evidence. Hair and fibre comparison, botanical identification, and DNA profiling. Students will investigate the scientific principles associated with determining the sources of biological evidence using a variety of microscopic and chemical techniques taking into account the changes that can occur in crime scene environment. This unit will expand on the detection methods of trace biological evidence already covered on other units and cover future directions in biometric identification from biological evidence. The use of the techniques in quarantine, customs and wildlife management will also be discussed.

This unit covers the underlying chemical and physical principles of advanced chemical topics relevant to forensic investigations. The investigation of these topics is informed by the correct principles and procedures for collecting and conserving evidence and the safe handling of chemical substances. Topics include the use of a range of modern chemical instrumentation to analyse forensic samples; the chemistry and analysis of various classes of drugs; the investigation of clandestine drug laboratories; chemical aspects of fire, arson and accelerants; and the nature of explosions and explosives.

This unit will provide an understanding of the forms of evidence that can be extracted from archaeological material remains and the procedures necessary to ensure that the evidence is not lost or contaminated during the processes of investigation. Students will investigate the changes that occur in archaeological and the physico-chemical markers that are used to fingerprint excavated materials used in forensic examination. Important topics include the chemical enhancement and methods of trace biological with an emphasises the importance of false positives and the chemical tests for such reactions. Taphonomy and the diagenetic changes occurring in buried environments are covered using physical investigative techniques and computational methods.

This is an advanced and integrating capstone unit for students studying forensic science. It incorporates previous science, forensic science and social science units to form a comprehensive examination of the functionality of forensic evidence within the contemporary Australian judicial system. This capstone highlights the needs for an interdisciplinary approach to define and critique forensic science evidence from various perspectives including science, law, criminology, policing and social science. Students are required to use their skills and knowledge with additional independent research and inquiry using a range of set literature. The unit will study a range of contemporary issues including how the judicial system evaluates the reliability of evidence from an admissibility threshold, identification evidence from CCTV, contextual bias with forensic examination, contamination issues with forensic evidence and methods of expressing forensic findings and/or significance.

Toxicology is the study of toxicants or poisonous substances: their nature, effects on the human body, and on human, animal and plant populations. Poisonous substances have been used by humans from antiquity for both beneficial and malevolent purposes and today a vast array of toxic industrial chemicals are produced. Both accidental (workplace and environmental) and intentional (forensic) exposure are covered, in terms of group properties, chronic and acute, toxicity, exposure potential, health impact and intervention are presented through forensic case studies. Students carry out a toxicology audit of an operation or premises of their choice.

This unit is an introduction to the exiting biology of invertebrate animals and their extensive interactions with the environment. Invertebrates are the most diverse and specious organisms within aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems as well as agricultural and urban environments. Many invertebrates are useful to humans, and some are harmful. The unit highlights their diversity, characteristics, relationships and research exploring their key ecological and economic importance. It also includes hands-on laboratory and field studies. This unit is designed for students with future career pathways in science (e.g. animal science, forensic science, environmental science, medical science), agriculture, horticulture, environmental management and education.