Universität Wien

030330 KU Theory and practice of crime scene investigations (2021S)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 3 - Rechtswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work
REMOTE

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 20 participants
Language: German, English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 15.03. 14:30 - 18:30 Digital
  • Thursday 25.03. 14:00 - 18:00 Digital
  • Thursday 15.04. 14:00 - 18:00 Digital
  • Thursday 22.04. 14:00 - 18:00 Digital
  • Thursday 06.05. 14:00 - 18:00 Digital
  • Thursday 20.05. 14:00 - 18:00 Digital

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course will present the basis of forensic science and crime scene investigation and will be mostly held in English. An introduction on the methods and techniques used to search, collect, process and interpret physical traces found on crime scenes will also be given. Focus could for example be put on DNA, fingermarks, shoemarks or microtraces.
The aim of this course is to introduce the basic principles of forensic science and its significance for the justice, in particular concerning crime scene investigation and evidence securing. At the end of the semester, the students should understand the potential, but also the limitation of forensic analyses. Furthermore, the students should develop their communication, argumentation and analytical skills by holding oral presentations (screencasts) and writing comments on the work of one colleague.

Assessment and permitted materials

Compulsory attendance and active participation to chat/online discussions (50% of the mark)
Screencast (content and form) and comment (in English) (50% of the mark)

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The students should have gained basic knowledge about forensic science. They should also have understood the basic principles of crime scene investigation, processing and interpretation of traces. Furthermore, they should be well aware about the gap existing between the faked reality presented in some well-known TV-shows and the daily routine of crime scene investigations.

Examination topics

An introduction about the basic principles of forensic science, crime scene investigation and evidence securing will be done by the responsible lecturers. Then, the students will orally present aspects of the collection, processing and interpretation of chosen physical traces based on scientific literature (screencast). The students will also have to write a comment on the work of one colleague.

Reading list


Association in the course directory

Last modified: Fr 12.05.2023 00:11