Module Database Search
| MODULE DESCRIPTOR | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title | |||
| Evidence: Law and Psychology | |||
| Reference | LL4306 | Version | 2 |
| Created | August 2023 | SCQF Level | SCQF 10 |
| Approved | June 2017 | SCQF Points | 15 |
| Amended | August 2023 | ECTS Points | 7.5 |
| Aims of Module | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Law: To critically analyse some key issues and theories around admissibility and sufficiency of evidence in criminal and civil cases in the UK and elsewhere. In addition, to consider some of the main practical issues that can arise in presenting evidence in courts or tribunals. Psychology: To analyse psychological theories and practices as they apply in the legal evidential environment, for instance police investigative practices in criminal cases, competency to stand trial issues and cross-examination techniques. | |||
| Learning Outcomes for Module | |
|---|---|
| On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to: | |
| 1 | Discuss and debate the theoretical underpinning of some of the key concepts in the law of evidence. |
| 2 | Critically analyse the justification for certain procedural barriers to the presentation of evidence. |
| 3 | Compare and contrast the content of key evidential concepts in Scotland with equivalent provision in other jurisdictions. |
| 4 | Discuss and critically analyse psychological perspectives on commonly used investigative techniques. |
| 5 | Critically evaluate the contribution of theoretical and applied psychology to the legal setting. |
| Indicative Module Content |
|---|
| Law: Key concepts in civil and criminal evidence; sufficiency of evidence; admissibility of evidence including confessions and search; artificiality of the courtroom; techniques in the examination of witnesses; expert evidence peculiarities; common law jurisdictions considered Psychology: Psychological theories of crime, interviewing, offender profiling, risk and recidivism, eyewitness testimony, role of the forensic psychologist, memory and memory disorders. |
| Module Delivery |
|---|
| This is a lecture and seminar based module. Lectures provide core module content. Seminars develop associated higher level skills through student centred learning. |
| Indicative Student Workload | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| Contact Hours | 36 | N/A |
| Non-Contact Hours | 114 | N/A |
| Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours | N/A | N/A |
| TOTAL | 150 | N/A |
| Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body |
| ASSESSMENT PLAN | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only. | |||||
| Component 1 | |||||
| Type: | Coursework | Weighting: | 100% | Outcomes Assessed: | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Description: | Written coursework exercise | ||||
| MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR | |
|---|---|
| Explanatory Text | |
| The calculation of the overall grade for this module is based on 100% weighting of C1. An overall minimum Grade D is required to pass the module. | |
| Module Grade | Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade: |
| A | The student needs to achieve an A in C1 |
| B | The student needs to achieve a B in C1 |
| C | The student needs to achieve a C in C1 |
| D | The student needs to achieve a D in C1 |
| E | The student needs to achieve an E in C1 |
| F | The student needs to achieve an F in C1 |
| NS | Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination |
| Module Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites for Module | LL2246 Law of Evidence |
| Corequisites for module | None. |
| Precluded Modules | None. |
| INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY | |
|---|---|
| 1 | BLACKBURN, R., 1995. The psychology of criminal conduct: theory, research and practice. 2nd ed. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons Ltd. |
| 2 | BULL, R. and CARSON, D., eds. 2003. Handbook of psychology in legal contexts. 2nd ed. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons Ltd. ebook |
| 3 | CWIK, C.H. and NORTH, J.L., 2003. Scientific evidence review: admissibility and use of expert evidence in the courtroom. New York: American Bar Association. |
| 4 | DAVIDSON, F., 2007. Evidence. Edinburgh: W.Green. |
| 5 | GUDJONSSON, G. H., 1993. The psychology of interrogations, confessions and testimony. New York: John Wiley and Sons Ltd. ebook |
| 6 | REDMAYNE, M. and ROBERTS, P., eds., 2007. Innovations in evidence and proof: integrating theory, research and teaching. Oxford: Hart Publishing. ebook |