Syllabus for Law, Psychology and Forensic Expertise
Rätt, psykologi och forensisk expertis
Syllabus
- 15 credits
- Course code: 3MG104
- Education cycle: Second cycle
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Main field(s) of study and in-depth level:
Medical Science A1N,
Forensic Science A1N
Explanation of codes
The code indicates the education cycle and in-depth level of the course in relation to other courses within the same main field of study according to the requirements for general degrees:
First cycle
- G1N: has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
- G1F: has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
- G1E: contains specially designed degree project for Higher Education Diploma
- G2F: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
- G2E: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements, contains degree project for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
- GXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Second cycle
- A1N: has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
- A1F: has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
- A1E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (60 credits)
- A2E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (120 credits)
- AXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
- Grading system: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG)
- Established: 2018-04-12
- Established by: The Master Programmes Board of the Faculty of Medicine
- Applies from: Autumn 2018
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Entry requirements:
Fulfilled courses in Forensic Science and Criminalistics as well as Forensic Genetics and Medicine.
- Responsible department: Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology
Learning outcomes
On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
- generally account for a criminal investigation and court procedure
- describe interrogation techniques, witness identification and lie detection theories
- explain how confirmation bias may influence investigations
- explain misinformation effects
- discuss evaluation of evidence in court
- identify and discuss problems concerning the evaluation of forensic evidence from a legal perspective
- evaluate data as an expert witness in court
- summarize examples of wrongful convictions and work in innocence projects
The student should also be able to apply a scientific approach, evaluate scientifically performed investigations, apply ethical considerations to research and communicate scientific results.
Content
The course is initiated with an introduction to the legal procedure, from the time a crime has been committed to the final court verdict. This is followed by studies of cognitive psychology, memory, perception, attention and information processing related to criminal investigations and evidence evaluation. After that more detailed studies are followed about interrogation techniques, evaluation of eye witness statements and identifications, confirmation bias and misinformation effects. Finally, evaluation of evidence in court and expert witness testimonies will be studied, followed by wrongful convictions and work in innocence projects.
Instruction
The teaching is given as lectures, seminars, projects and group work. Special focus is directed to stimulate the students to independently solve problems. Compulsory parts of the course: Course introduction, lectures, seminars, group meetings, briefings, discussions and presentation. The teacher can give exemption regarding the obligatory part in case there are special reasons.
Assessment
Written examinations and advanced assignment (oral and written presentation).
For a pass on the course, 90 % of all mandatory teaching, passed examination, passed written assignments and presentations are required.
If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University ́s disability coordinator.
Other directives
The course is given within the Master Programme in Forensic Science.
Reading list
Reading list
Applies from: Spring 2021
Some titles may be available electronically through the University library.
All course literature for the course is provided by the teacher, students do not have to buy anything.