Evidence: Interpretation and Evaluation (U03104)

? Credit Points : 40 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : LAW-3-U03104

While the majority of cases that reach the courts are decided on questions of fact, not law, the interpretation and evaluation of evidence is not taught as part of traditional courses in evidence law. This course fills this gap, by introducing students to general concepts from the forensic sciences, ranging from witness psychology to DNA evidence and forensic computing, and to the theories and methods that govern their interpretation in a legal setting. The interaction between science and law will be analysed from theoretical, legal and pragmatic perspectives. Looking both at topical legal cases and scientific developments, we ask the following questions: How can we evaluate different types of evidence, what makes one form of evidence more reliable than another, and to what extend do the rules of legal procedure support or are in conflict with our best scientific theories? How can scientists communicate their ideas to lawyers and jurors? How has misinterpretation of evidence resulted in miscarriages of justice, and how can we prevent them? No prior scientific knowledge is required, apart from a willingness to engage with the writing style typical for the natural sciences.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Law, (School of Law, Schedule F)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Full Year (Blocks 1-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 19 weeks

1 of the following 2 classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tu	16:10	18:00	Central
Lecture	Th	11:10	13:00	Central

? Additional Class Information : Exceptionally, in 2007-08 only, this course will be delivered twice at the times shown. Students must attend at their allocated time.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

at the end of the course, students should

- have developed an understanding of the way in which forensic scientists approach questions of evidence, and the potential and problems presented by using scientific evidence in a court setting

- have acquired an ability to interpret and evaluate different types of evidence, including statistical and probabilistic evidence

- developed problem-solving and diagnostic techniques in the application of evidential principles to concrete facts, including being able to analyse scientific arguments in a legal setting

- be able to deal both effectively and expeditiously with the sorts of factual evidence problems that surface regularly in trials and other legal proceedings.

- be able to think both logically and methodically about evidence in litigation.

- be acquainted you with some of the broad philosophical, political, social, ethical, moral, and economic issues presented by the existence of various types of evidence and the legal rules that govern their use in litigation

- have acquired relevant IT and library skills to research independently topics from a broad range of forensic disciplines