School Of Science And HealthForensic Analysis of Physical EvidenceWestern Sydney University Unit Code: 300377.2
Discipline: FORENSIC SCIENCE
Student Contribution Band: 2
Level: 2
Credit Points: 10
Assumed Knowledge
Successful completion of at least one first year undergraduate chemistry unit.
Equivalent Units
300881 - Forensic Biology
Unit Enrolment Restrictions
Students must be enrolled in 3589 Bachelor of Science (Forensic Science).
About this Unit
‘Physical Evidence’ is tangible evidence left at crime scenes and/or found on suspects, which is in some way related to a criminal incident and links or eliminates suspects to these activities. Examples of physical evidence include; glass fragments, hairs and fibres, paint chips, fingerprints, footwear impressions (footprints), biological material (blood, semen etc), narcotics, toolmarks, tape comparison, explosive residue, GSR (gun shot residue) and others.
This unit explores the processes required for the analysis of physical evidence and combines analytical and physical comparative examination methodologies. Students will use these methods to examine; the chemical composition of trace evidence and identify unique physico-chemical markers, the detection of chemical residues and biological material, physical comparison of suspect and exemplar items such as footwear impressions and toolmarks left at the crime scene, and the comparison of paint chips, glass fragments, hairs and fibres. Students will explore these methodologies using practical case studies and will be required to present their evidence/findings at the completion of the unit.
Specialisations