Professional diploma in forensic investigations

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Brief Description

                                                      

 

MULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES

 

 

 

 

 

Professional diploma in forensic investigations. FI 100

 

 

Target audience: Law enforcement officers, school leavers, legal practioners.

Entry requirements; Grade 12 certification, experience in law enforcement.

Duration three months

Mode of delivery; Online

Fees; k5000 per candidate.

Application: online on  the school portal

Course runs twice a year.

Course coordinator;

1.    Mr Simwatachela H.

Cell +260964600510/+260975418269.

Email; hsimwatachela@mu.edu.zm

Overview

  • CODE
    FI 100
  • FEES K5,000
  • LOCATION ONLINE
  • CONTACTS
  • DATES
Course Description

Forensic science has become an integral part of the justice system in society because of its meticulous way of ensuring that the perpetrators of crime get convicted the innocent are set free. This means the materials and methods used in forensic investigations must have integrity and be without error. This course is focusing on  empowering candidates with skills and knowledge to be able to systematically identify, collect, and preserve forensic  evidence and maintain its integrity for analysis. Proper crime scene management ensures that all potential evidence biological, physical, or digital is accurately documented and protected from contamination or loss. Effective crime scene investigation is essential for reconstructing events, identifying suspects, and providing objective, court-admissible evidence, ultimately supporting the criminal justice system's pursuit of justice

 

Objectives/Outcomes.

After completing this course the candidates must be able to:

·       Demonstrate practical knowledge and skill in application of forensic science.

·       Develop competencies in techniques involved in forensic science

·       Preserve the Crime Scene: Secure and control the area to prevent contamination or loss of evidence.

·       Systematic Evidence Collection: Identify, collect, and label evidence following forensic standards.

·       Document the Scene: Accurately record the scene with photographs, sketches, and notes for thorough analysis and court presentation.

·       Reconstruct Events: Use evidence to understand the sequence and nature of events.

·       Ensure Legal Admissibility: Maintain chain of custody and follow protocols to ensure evidence is admissible in court.

·       To develop skills in handling, preserving, and analyzing digital evidence using appropriate tools and techniques.


Course Outline

Unit 1

·       Introduction and fundamentals of forensic science.

·       Definitions and objectives of forensic science

·       Interdisciplinary connections: biology, chemistry, physics and law enforcement.

·       The forensic scientist’s role in criminal and justice system.

·       Interaction between forensic science and law enforcement.

·       Legal and ethical issues in forensic science.

·       Standards for evidence handling and chain of custody.

·       Ethics in forensic science: objectivity, reporting and confidentiality.

Unit 2: Introduction to Crime Scene Management

·       Principles of Crime Scene Security: Establishing perimeters, controlling access, and managing the scene.

·       Roles and Responsibilities: Responsibilities of crime scene investigators, law enforcement, and forensic teams.

·       Types of Crime Scenes: Indoor, outdoor, vehicle, and other specialized crime scenes.

·       Legal and Ethical Considerations: Consent, search warrants, and ethical handling of evidence.

Unit 3 Basics of DNA biology and genetics.

·       DNA structure and definitions.

·       Base pairing and hybridization of DNA strands.

·       Genes, Chromosomes and human genome project.

·       DNA and blood group typing.

·       Protein typing.

·       Advantages and limitations of DNA methods.

·       DNA Sample collection, characterization and storage.

·       DNA sample sources

·       Biological evidence of crime scenes.

 

Unit 4: Evidence Identification and Collection

·       Types of Evidence: Biological, physical, digital, and trace evidence.

·       Evidence Collection Techniques: Methods for collecting, packaging, and preserving different types of evidence.

·       Chain of Custody: Importance of documentation and handling to maintain evidence integrity.

·       Tools and Equipment: Tools used for safe and effective evidence collection and preservation.

Unit 5: Crime Scene Documentation

·       Photography and Videography: Techniques for documenting the crime scene visually.

·       Crime Scene Sketching and Mapping: Creating accurate diagrams and measurements of the scene.

·       Note-taking and Reporting: Detailed documentation for each piece of evidence and observations.

·       Digital Documentation Tools: Use of digital tools and software for enhanced scene documentation.

Unit 6: Crime Scene Analysis and Reconstruction

·       Crime Scene Reconstruction: Using evidence to hypothesize the sequence of events.

·       Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: Basics of interpreting blood patterns for crime scene reconstruction.

·       Forensic Interpretation of Evidence: Techniques for interpreting various evidence types in context.

·       Courtroom Presentation: Preparing crime scene findings for legal proceedings and expert testimony.

Unit 7: Introduction to Digital Forensics

·       Evolution of digital forensics

·       Types of digital evidence and crime

·       Basic principles of data acquisition and preservation

·       Overview of forensic tools and technologies

Unit 8: Digital Evidence Collection and Preservation

·       Techniques for collecting evidence from various digital devices

·       Chain of custody and legal considerations

·       Data integrity and preventing contamination

·       Imaging and cloning of digital storage

Unit 9: Analysis of Digital Evidence

·       Methods for analyzing files, network traffic, and mobile data

·       Data recovery, metadata analysis, and file carving

·       Examination of software logs and internet artifacts

·       Advanced analysis techniques for encrypted and deleted data