| CODE | CRM1006 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Criminalistics | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Criminology | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit provides an introduction to criminalistics. It aims to teach students the fundamentals of forensic science, the crime scene and the basis of behavioural analysis. Moreover, evidence collection and analysis will be discussed. This study-unit would also provide students with an understanding of crime and how different but necessary studies (theoretical, crime-solving techniques and crime-solving tactics) can contribute to crime scene investigations. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to: • Introduce students to the fundamentals of the nature of the scientific method. • Examine the complexities surrounding a crime scene. • Familiarize students to the links between the role of new technologies and new concepts in forensic science and their contribution to the investigation and detection of crime. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Appreciate the principles of the scientific method. • Acquire an appreciation of the complexities of a crime scene. • Be able to integrate knowledge and skills in the examination, analysis, interpretation of physical evidence. • Appreciate how different disciplines can contribute to the investigation and reduction of crime and the detection of offenders. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Understand how scientific evidence requires human understanding and interpretation to translate that evidence into a court of law. • Discuss types of physical evidence. • Understand crime scene techniques. • Discuss the role of the criminalist in investigations. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: • Fisher, Barry A.J. (2003). Techniques of crime scene investigation (7th Ed.). CRC Publications. • Inman, K. and Rudin, N. (2001). Principles and practice of criminalistics: The profession of forensic science. CRC Publications. • Saferstein, R. (2007). Criminalistics: An introduction to forensic science (9th Ed.). Prentice-Hall. |
||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
|
||||||||
| LECTURER/S | Saviour Formosa |
||||||||
|
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
|||||||||