ACR102, 2020

Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice

Seminar Slides
Week 9 – Experts, Lay People and Forensics
 Contact Information
Unit Chair: Dr Andrew Groves
Burwood / Online Campus Coordinator
Room 3.06, Building D, Burwood Campus
(03) 9246 8961 andrew.groves@deakin.edu.au
Consultation time: Tuesdays 1pm on Bb, OR by appointment

“There is no such thing as a silly question…except the one that isn’t asked!”

 Well done on the use of the Discussion Boards, in particular those students that have helped
others, keep up the good work!

 Make sure you read all information – incl. Announcements, Discussion Boards and Study
Guides for each week. Also, use the relevant resources for their intended purpose – e.g. AT3
Discussion Board.

 Note: communication make take a little longer, so please be patient!

 WHOLE GROUP DISCUSSION
What is forensic science?
It is “the application of science to those criminal and civil laws that are enforced by
police agencies in a criminal justice system”
(Saferstein 1998, p. 2)

1. Can you identify the different forensic functions?

2. At what stages has forensics become a core part of the CJS, and for what purposes?

3. What are your first impressions of the use of forensic sciences in the CJS? Is it
helpful and, if so, how?

4. Why is forensic evidence so powerful in determining guilt?

5. What are the broader implications of this for the CJS?

 VIDEO – The Real CSI

LINK – Forensics: Beyond the CSI Effect

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vvRxdRrJlQ(2 mins)
  

1. What is the CSI Effect?

2. What is its impact on the CJS? Is it all bad?

3. What does this mean for the equitable distribution of justice?

Another video to watch in your own time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScmJvmzDcG0
 Group Activity 1
• Eye-witness Testimony
o How good is your memory?

• Watch this short video and see if you can remember

everything that happens – be prepared to answer
some questions!
 Group Activity 1
• Eye-witness Testimony
o How good is your memory?

• Watch this short video and see if you can remember

everything that happens – be prepared to answer
some questions!

Now, what did you see?

1. What was the signage and route number that was on the bus?
2. What colour jacket was the lady who crossed the zebra-crossing wearing?
3. Which company did the large red truck belong to?
4. What colour are the flowers in the garden bed?
5. How many bikes (powered or not) appear in the video?
6. What did you hear in the video, can you describe it?
7. Name at least two crimes that may have taken place (based on your understanding of Victorian
law).

What are some other factors that we should take into account when considering this
activity/process? What else matters?
 Group Activity 2
AN AUDIT OF FORENSIC SCIENCES IN THE VICTORIAN CJS
“Forensic Tools: What’s Reliable and What’s Not-So-Scientific”

First, based on the type of forensics discussed in the article, rank, in order of what you
believe to be the strongest forensic functions (out of DNA, Fingerprinting, Bite-Marks,
Firearms and Ballistics, Hair Sampling, and Drug Testing). Explain your justifications for
the ranking.
 
Second, how you would improve upon concerns about the reliability of forensic evidence
at each function – e.g. public education, government funded research, transparency.
 
And third, civil rights groups are concerned about juries who show limited understanding,
but are more than ready to convict on the basis of forensic evidence merely being present
in court proceedings. Can you think of any strategies to “neutralize the CSI effect”?
What sort of programs and policies would each group put in place?

To complete this task, you will need to read the associated handout, available on the
Cloudsite under the Week 9 seminar slides.
  READ
Next Week:  Prescribed chapter from the
Failures of Justice textbook and study guide
material prior to the
lecture/seminar.

Assessment
Start thinking about and preparing for AT4!