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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Law & Forensic Examination
Reference PL2603 Version 1
Created April 2023 SCQF Level SCQF 8
Approved June 2023 SCQF Points 30
Amended August 2022 ECTS Points 15

Aims of Module
To provide students with an understanding of the framework within which the law operates and enable students to develop practical and communication skills in forensic imaging. The module will introduce discipline specific legal skills and methods, an exploration of the UK's divergent legal systems (English & Scots) and selected areas of law and provide the principles and practice of techniques used by forensic analysts and document examiners.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Report on the sources of law, the structure of the legal system and the roles of its personnel.
2 Compare the elements of criminal liability and identify applicable defences.
3 Report on the principles of the law of evidence and procedure as they apply in criminal cases with reference to expert evidence.
4 Undertake experimental procedures using selected imaging instruments and show understanding of the principles of use and report accurately the results.
5 Compare he methods of construction of characters used in all instances of handwriting and identify both natural and deliberate modifications made to handwriting.

Indicative Module Content
Initially, the module will outline key features of UK legal systems, processes and personnel; core legal concepts; legal methods and skills. There will be an introduction to selected areas of private and public law. European and International Law will be introduced. Following this, students will undertake and report the findings of several prescribed experiments using different forensic imaging techniques, including microscopy, to analyse a range of forensic samples including fibres, footprints, fingerprints, bullets and documents. This will also include analysis of documents using a range of techniques including ESDA, microscopy, and video spectral comparison. Students will examine handwriting and signatures, construction of characters, natural variation, accidental and deliberate modification.

Module Delivery
This is a lecture based module supplemented by tutorials, practical laboratory classes and case study workshops.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 125 N/A
Non-Contact Hours 175 N/A
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 300 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: 50% Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3
Description: Written report
Component 2
Type: Practical Exam Weighting: 50% Outcomes Assessed: 4, 5
Description: Skills test

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
The first grade represents Component 1 (Written Report) equally weighted with the second, Component 2 (Skills Test). A minimum of a Module Grade D is required to pass, with compensation of grade E in Component 1 or Component 2 permitted.
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A AA, AB, BA
B AC, AD, BB, BC, CA, CB, DA
C AE, BD, BE, CC, CD, DB, DC, EA, EB
D CE, DD, DE, EC, ED
E AF, BF, CF, DF, EE, EF, FA, FB, FC, FD, FE
F FF
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module Successful completion of Stage 1 Forensic and Analytical Science or equivalent.
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 LANGFORD, A.M., DEAN J., REED R., HOLMES D.A., WEYERS J., and JONES A. Practical Skills in Forensic Science. Current Edition. Prentice Hall.
2 WHITE, P.C., Crime Scene to Court, The Essentials of Forensic Science. Current Edition. The Royal Society of Chemistry.
3 JACKSON A.R.W., JACKSON J.M., MOUNTAIN H., and BREARLEY D. Forensic Science. Current Edition. Pearson.
4 BELL S. and MORRIS K. An Introduction to Microscopy. Current Edition. CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group.
5 AUCHIE, D., 2014. Evidence. 4th ed. Edinburgh: W. Green. (Law Basics series)
6 CHRISTIE, S., 2009. An introduction to Scots criminal law.. 2nd ed. Dundee: Dundee University Press.
7 WHITE, R., WILLOCK, I., and MACQUEEN, H., 2013. The Scottish legal system. 5th ed. Hayward Heath: Bloomsbury Professional.

Robert Gordon University, Garthdee House, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK: a Scottish charity, registration No. SC013781