SOCI3667: Sociology of Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation

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• To apply theoretical resources from social studies of science & technology, socio-legal studies, and areas of sociology, to the analysis of the nature and uses of forensic science in criminal justice systems;
• To explore the construction/deconstruction of, and engagement with, forensic science across criminal justice systems;
• To examine the impact of forensic science and technology on societies;
• To compare the construction of forensic science in different jurisdictions;
• To situate the organization of forensic science provision within wider policy trends, ie. neo-liberalism, globalization..

• Sociology of Science & Technology as applied to Forensic Science;
• Social and legal issues associated with forensic science and technology;
• Criminal investigations as routine and exceptional work;
• Police uses of forensic science;
• Forensic science and court deliberation;
• The organisation of forensic science provision in the UK;
• The co-production of forensic technologies, legal understandings and social categories;
• Understanding and engagement with forensic science by criminal justice stakeholders;
• Forensic science in the media.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• By the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate:
• A critical appreciation of the scope and limitations of forensic evidence for both investigative and prosecutorial purposes;
• Specialised knowledge of police uses of forensic science in support of criminal investigations;
• Knowledge of insights from key social scientific traditions (social studies of science, socio-legal studies, and other areas of sociology) relevant to the understanding of the uses of forensic science in the UK criminal justice system;
• The ability to impartially apply these insights to key topics relating to modern forensic science;
• Knowledge of the current research agenda of sociological studies of forensic science
• Ability to relate key forensic science topics to broader social and political trends;
• Knowledge of the use, role and limitations of expert evidence in legal systems.

Subject-specific Skills:

• By the end of the module students will be able to:
• Critically evaluate and deconstruct evidential claims;
• Impartially and critically evaluate claims made about forensic science and technology;
• Formulate sociologically informed questions with specific reference to criminology-related issues and debates;
• Compare and contrast the organization and use of forensic science across different national jurisdictions and legal systems;
• Place the development of forensic science within the wider context of concerns about the changing nature of crime.

Key Skills:

• By the end of the module, students should demonstrate:
• Ability to gather appropriate information from a range of sources;
• Critical analysis of sources and evidence;
• IT skills relating to production of summative essays;
• ability to plan workload and manage time;
• ability to construct systematic and coherent written arguments.

• During periods of online teaching, for asynchronous lectures in particular, planned lecture hours may include activities that would normally have taken place within the lecture itself had it been taught face-to-face in a lecture room, and/or those necessary to adapt the teaching and learning materials effectively to online learning.
• Lectures: Weekly lectures will provide students with theoretical and substantive knowledge necessary to develop understanding of the module topics.
• Seminars: Fortnightly seminars provide an opportunity for seminar tutors to work with small groups, exploring in greater depth, and collectively, themes and issues arising from the lectures and associated reading.
• Formative work: this provides students with opportunities to enhance subject-specific knowledge, subject-specific skill and key skills. Feedback on the formative assignments enables students to critically reflect on the development of their knowledge and skill, and toward completing their summative essay.
• Summative Assessment: One summative essay will enable students to demonstrate their achievement and understanding of specific topics in depth and to construct systematic discussions within word-limited constraints.

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