Forensic Cultures
| Module title | Forensic Cultures |
|---|---|
| Module code | SOC2135 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Dana Wilson-Kovacs (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
Forensic science and its practical application bring together different actors and agencies, and various forms of experience and knowledge. In this module you will learn about these aspects from a sociological perspective, by examining how forensic cultures have developed. You will analyse the socio-political and cultural factors that have shaped the adoption, use and understanding of different forensic methods and technologies, from fingerprinting and DNA profiling to digital forensics. The module does not have any pre-requisites and it is suitable for interdisciplinary pathways and for non-specialist students.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This research-led module aims to help you develop a social science, critical perspective on forensic science and practice. You will explore how notions of forensic evidence and expertise have evolved, and gain insight into forensic cultures and the emergence and status of forensic professions. The module will help you develop an analytical stance and an ability to scrutinise and challenge views on the infallibility of forensic evidence and the contribution of forensic science to criminal justice outcomes.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate familiarity with the major social scientific approaches to the study of forensics and its place, role and importance in the criminal justice system
- 2. Evaluate different sources on how forensic science contributes to criminal justice outcomes
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Using social science theories and methods, critically assess claims about the contribution of forensic science to the delivery of justice
- 4. Demonstrate the capacity to select relevant social science sources and structure them in order to present coherent arguments about the relation between forensic methods and technologies and criminal justice outcomes
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Communicate effectively in written and verbal form
- 6. Plan and work independently and in groups
- 7. Conduct research on a topic
- 8. Act autonomously within agreed guidelines and manage time effectively to meet deadlines
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some of the following themes:
- The emergence of forensic science as profession and discipline
- The socio-political development of forensic methods: Lombroso and bertillonage
- The socio-political development of forensic methods: Fingerprinting and DNA profiling
- Expertise and forensic knowledge: forensic evidence in court
- Understanding forensics and forensic science: appraising media coverage and representations
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activity | 22 | 11 x 2 hours per week comprising of lectures and seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 77 | Module research, reading (4 hours per week) and preparation for class (3 hour per week) |
| Guided Independent Study | 51 | Research and writing for summative assessments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay plan | 750 words | 1-8 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ||||
| Essay | 100 | 2,200 words | 1-8 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2,200 word essay | 1-8 | August/September assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
If you are required to submit a second essay for re-assessment, this cannot be on the same topic as the first essay.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
Adam, A., 2015. A history of forensic science: British beginnings in the twentieth century. Routledge.
Bechky, B.A., 2021. Blood, Powder, and Residue: How Crime Labs Translate Evidence Into Proof. Princeton University Press.
Machado, H. and Prainsack, B., 2016. Tracing technologies: Prisoners' views in the era of CSI. Routledge.
Newburn, T., Williamson, T. and Wright, A. eds., 2012. Handbook of criminal investigation. Routledge.
Lawless, C., 2016. Forensic Science: A sociological introduction. Routledge.
Lynch, M., Cole, S.A., McNally, R. and Jordan, K., 2010. Truth machine. University of Chicago Press.
Williams, R. and Johnson, P., 2013. Genetic policing: The uses of DNA in police investigations. Willan.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Web-based and electronic resources:
- ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 20/01/2022 |
| Last revision date | 03/02/2023 |
