Criminalistics – the science of using traces to solve criminal cases

Timetable

Module aim (aims)

General:

The aim of the course is to familiarize course participants with the issues of forensic traces. Participants will be introduced to the basic types of traces used in criminalistics (forensics) and will learn the methods and purposes of examining them. An important element of the course is to enable participants to acquire knowledge in practice - by solving cases and practical exercises in collecting, revealing and securing traces (fingerprints).

 Specific:

1. Learning effects:

Remembering information

After completing the course, the participant is able to:

• Define the goals and list the types of forensic trace examination
• List the basic types of forensic traces
• Define the basic types of forensic traces.
• Define what investigative versions are.
• Identify the essence of the scene examination.

       2. Understanding information:

After completing the course, the participant is able to:

• Distinguish the types of forensic traces depending on the mechanism of their formation and the nature of the trace.
• Summarize the course of the scene examination.
• Illustrate different types of forensic traces.
• Distinguish between the concepts of confrontation, interrogation and presentation.
• Explain the stages of examining forensic traces.

      3.Using information in typical situation:

After completing the course, the participant is able to:

• Compare individual methods of examining the crime scene.
• Determine the purpose of forensic examination.
• Determine what limitations apply to the examination of forensic traces of each known type.
• Solve a case involving the use of forensic traces.
• Choose which type of forensic examination will be most appropriate in a given situation.

       4. Using information in problematic situation:

After completing the course, the participant is able to:

• Analyse which examination method will be appropriate in a given situation.
• Assess the discovery and evidentiary value of the forensic traces.
• Analyse possible methods of proof based on forensic traces of each type.
• Predict which interrogation techniques may be most effective in a given situation.
• Anticipate what the limitations of examining forensic traces may be.

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

None

Syllabus

Week 1:            Criminalistics as the science of traces. Brief history

Week 2:            The concept and types of forensic traces and basic methods of their examination.

Week 3:            Investigative versions and how they are constructed; forensic examination of the crime scene.

Week 4:            Biological traces - concept, types, examination and use in criminal cases.

Week 5:            Dermatoscopic traces - concept, types, examination – part 1.

Week 6:            Dermatoscopic traces - concept, types, examination – part 2.

Week 7:            Time to practise: Collecting, revealing and securing fingerprints.

Week 8:            Traceological traces - concept, types, examination and use in criminal cases.

Week 9:            Mechanoscopic traces - concept, types, examination and use in criminal cases.

Week 10:          Phonoscopic, thermal and osmological traces - concept, types, examination and use in criminal cases.

Week 11:          Document examination - the concept of a document, document layers and their examination.

Week 12:          Handwriting analysis - concept, types, examination and use in criminal cases.

Week 13:          Ballistic traces - concept, types, examinstion and use in crime cases.

Week 14:          Memory traces and how to study them – part 1

Week 15:          Memory traces and how to study them – part 2

 

Reading list

• Bell S., Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques, CRC Press, 2019
• Bertino A. J., Bertino P., Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations (Forensic Science, Fundamentals and Investigations), Cengage Learning, 2020
• Girard J. E., Criminalistics: Forensic Science, Crime, and Terrorism: Forensic Science, Crime, and Terrorism, Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2021
• Huber R. A., Headrick A.M., Handwriting Identification: Facts and Fundamentals, CRC Press, 1999
• Inman K., Rudin N., Principles and Practice of Criminalistics. The Profession of Forensic Science, CRC Press, 2001
  Koppenhaver K. M., Forensic Document Examination. Principles and Practice, Humana Press, 2007
• Saferstein R., Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, Pearson, 2017