JSB225 Forensic Criminology
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | JSB225 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $2,124 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $996 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,204 |
| International unit fee | $4,572 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | JSB225 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | 96 credit points of previous studies |
| Coordinator: | Claire Ferguson | claire.ferguson@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Criminology becomes forensic criminology when research and theories are used to answer specific questions for investigations, court, or corrections. Forensic criminology uses the scientific method to apply traditional criminological knowledge to issues arising in specific cases. In this unit, students will be introduced to the application of criminology to case work, including the overarching principles, ethics and ethos of forensic best-practice. Students will learn about how forensic criminology is used in: investigating criminal behaviour and deaths; complementing the forensic sciences; understanding victims and miscarriages of justice; predicting risk; and preventing revictimization and recidivism.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Understand the principles, ethos and ethics of the forensic work in Australia.
- Explore the various applications of criminology to investigations, court processes, corrections, and working with victims.
- Identify important principles and limitations related to the forensic sciences.
- Demonstrate an ability to think and write critically, applying the scientific method to answer questions in a systematic fashion.
Content
The criminologist and -
- Forensic principles, ethos and ethics
- Investigating major crime
- Understanding victims of major crime
- Working with the forensic sciences
- Report writing and giving testimony
- Preventing domestic violence
- Preventing revictimization for volume crime
- Coronial matters
- Rehabilitating offenders and reducing recidivism
- Explaining wrongful convictions
Learning Approaches
This unit is offered internally and online. Delivery is organised around virtual or face to face Workshops and Lectures for 2 hours per semester week. Students can choose to attend workshops live or engage with recorded versions. You are advised to make extensive use of the Canvas website, which is available through the QUT homepage, to access your materials.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which may include:
- informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- formal: in writing, e.g. criteria sheets, written commentary
- direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- indirect: to the whole class.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment is in this unit is both formative and summative. It is identical for internal and online students.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Provisional Forensic Report
You will be asked to choose one of the case studies and corresponding research questions provided on Canvas. You will collect research evidence relevant to the case study questions and systematically summarise your main arguments using the scientific method. You will cite and provide a minimum of 15 references to support your provisional expert opinions. Using the template provided, you will provide a professional quotation, estimating the time required to compile your full report, and a copy of your professional CV. The argument and literature collected and outlined in Assessment 1 will provide the basis for your conclusions assessed in the Forensic Case meeting (Assessment 2).
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed for the purpose of understanding this assessment task and summarising information when cited appropriately. However, it is your responsibility to critically evaluate the information provided. It is not acceptable to cut and paste text generated by AI. Go to Cite | Write and follow the specific guidance for the relevant referencing style (APA, Harvard, AGLC or Vancouver).
Assessment: Forensic Case Meeting
For the purposes of a pre-testimony forensic case meeting, you will be individually interviewed by teaching staff at a prearranged time. Using the research literature, you will be asked to expand on the conclusions drawn in your provisional report (Assessment 1) to make a comprehensive argument in response to the research questions from the case study. In the forensic case meeting you will be asked about your process in developing your expert opinion, your relevant qualifications, and to reflect on key strengths and/or weaknesses in your conclusions. This could include any difficulties apparent with applying the research literature to the specifics of the case and the use of GenAI.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed for the purpose of understanding this assessment task and summarising information when cited appropriately. However, it is your responsibility to critically evaluate the information provided. It is not acceptable to cut and paste text generated by AI. Go to Cite | Write and follow the specific guidance for the relevant referencing style (APA, Harvard, AGLC or Vancouver).
Assessment: Workshop Participation
Across the semester you will be asked to participate in workshop activities, including practice forensic case meetings.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
To be found on QUT Readings, the Canvas site, and the Unit Information.
Risk Assessment Statement
Students are advised that some content in justice units may be confronting. If you are concerned that the content of a unit may impact your completion of the course, please see the unit coordinator. You can also access free student counselling through QUT Counselling via the QUT Student Homepage.
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Online
| Unit code: | JSB225 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | 96 credit points of previous studies |
Overview
Criminology becomes forensic criminology when research and theories are used to answer specific questions for investigations, court, or corrections. Forensic criminology uses the scientific method to apply traditional criminological knowledge to issues arising in specific cases. In this unit, students will be introduced to the application of criminology to case work, including the overarching principles, ethics and ethos of forensic best-practice. Students will learn about how forensic criminology is used in: investigating criminal behaviour and deaths; complementing the forensic sciences; understanding victims and miscarriages of justice; predicting risk; and preventing revictimization and recidivism.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Understand the principles, ethos and ethics of the forensic work in Australia.
- Explore the various applications of criminology to investigations, court processes, corrections, and working with victims.
- Identify important principles and limitations related to the forensic sciences.
- Demonstrate an ability to think and write critically, applying the scientific method to answer questions in a systematic fashion.
Content
The criminologist and -
- Forensic principles, ethos and ethics
- Investigating major crime
- Understanding victims of major crime
- Working with the forensic sciences
- Report writing and giving testimony
- Preventing domestic violence
- Preventing revictimization for volume crime
- Coronial matters
- Rehabilitating offenders and reducing recidivism
- Explaining wrongful convictions
Learning Approaches
This unit is offered internally and online. Delivery is organised around virtual or face to face Workshops and Lectures for 2 hours per semester week. Students can choose to attend workshops live or engage with recorded versions. You are advised to make extensive use of the Canvas website, which is available through the QUT homepage, to access your materials.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which may include:
- informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- formal: in writing, e.g. criteria sheets, written commentary
- direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- indirect: to the whole class.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment is in this unit is both formative and summative. It is identical for internal and online students.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Provisional Forensic Report
You will be asked to choose one of the case studies and corresponding research questions provided on Canvas. You will collect research evidence relevant to the case study questions and systematically summarise your main arguments using the scientific method. You will cite and provide a minimum of 15 references to support your provisional expert opinions. Using the template provided, you will provide a professional quotation, estimating the time required to compile your full report, and a copy of your professional CV. The argument and literature collected and outlined in Assessment 1 will provide the basis for your conclusions assessed in the Forensic Case meeting (Assessment 2).
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed for the purpose of understanding this assessment task and summarising information when cited appropriately. However, it is your responsibility to critically evaluate the information provided. It is not acceptable to cut and paste text generated by AI. Go to Cite | Write and follow the specific guidance for the relevant referencing style (APA, Harvard, AGLC or Vancouver).
Assessment: Forensic Case Meeting
For the purposes of a pre-testimony forensic case meeting, you will be individually interviewed by teaching staff at a prearranged time. Using the research literature, you will be asked to expand on the conclusions drawn in your provisional report (Assessment 1) to make a comprehensive argument in response to the research questions from the case study. In the forensic case meeting you will be asked about your process in developing your expert opinion, your relevant qualifications, and to reflect on key strengths and/or weaknesses in your conclusions. This could include any difficulties apparent with applying the research literature to the specifics of the case and the use of GenAI.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed for the purpose of understanding this assessment task and summarising information when cited appropriately. However, it is your responsibility to critically evaluate the information provided. It is not acceptable to cut and paste text generated by AI. Go to Cite | Write and follow the specific guidance for the relevant referencing style (APA, Harvard, AGLC or Vancouver).
Assessment: Workshop Participation
Across the semester you will be asked to participate in workshop activities, including practice forensic case meetings.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
To be found on QUT Readings, the Canvas site, and the Unit Information.
Risk Assessment Statement
Students are advised that some content in justice units may be confronting. If you are concerned that the content of a unit may impact your completion of the course, please see the unit coordinator. You can also access free student counselling through QUT Counselling via the QUT Student Homepage.