Studiegids

nl en

Criminalistics

Vak
2011-2012

Admission requirements

  • Background in law

  • Sufficient command of English (IELTS 6.5 or higher)

Description

Key words: interpretation of evidence; science and the law; dactyloscopy; DNA; document examination; firearm examination; independence; quality; second opinion; court-appointed vs. partisan experts.

Course objectives

Objectives of the course:
The course has the following objectives:

  • Improve knowledge and awareness of the possibilities and limitations of forensic science for investigative and evidential purposes;

  • Raise lawyers’ and non-scientists’ awareness of problems in communicating with forensic scientists;

  • Increase awareness of and attempt to bridge the gap between science and the law;

  • Increase awareness of differences between Common Law (UK, USA) and Continental Law countries in respect of position of expert witnesses.

  • Key words: interpretation of evidence; science and the law; dactyloscopy; DNA; document examination; firearm examination; independence; quality; second opinion; court-appointed vs. partisan experts.

Achievement levels:
The following achievement levels apply with regard to the course:
Students will obtain

  • insight in and knowledge of the possibilities and limitations of the application of forensic science for the purposes of justice

  • insight in the problems that arise at the interface of science and the law

  • insight in and knowledge of the position of the expert and his expertise in the Netherlands and in non-Continental jurisdictions

Timetable

See: http://www.leidenuniv.nl/rechten/osi/wg/

Mode of instruction

Lectures

  • Number of (2 hour) lectures: One 2-hour lecture per week for five weeks

  • Names of lecturers: lecturer to be confirmed

  • Required preparation by students: The assignments are listed in the reader.

Seminars

  • Number of (2 hour) seminars: One 2-hour seminar per week for six weeks

  • Names of instructors: lecturer to be confirmed

  • Required preparation by students: response to written questions, oral presentation.

Other methods of instruction

  • Description: Visit to the Netherlands Forensic Institute (1 day)

  • Number of (2 hour) instructions: not applicable

  • Names of instructors: lecturer to be confirmed

  • Required preparation by students: Studying the assigned materials

Assessment method

Examination form(s)

  • Written exam.

  • Oral presentation.

Submission procedures

Areas to be tested within the exam
The examination syllabus consists of the required reading (literature) for the course, the course information guide and the subjects taught in the lectures, the seminars and all other instructions which are part of the course.

Blackboard

More information on this course is offered in “Blackboard”: http://blackboard.leidenuniv.nl/.

Reading list

Obligatory course materials
Literature:

  • Will be announced later.

Course information guide:

  • none

Reader:

  • Reader, available at Onderwijsmaterialen (KOG, room A.045)

Recommended course materials:

  • to be announced

Registration

Students have to register for courses and exams through “U-twist”: https://ics06.leidenuniv.nl/tisweb/menu.

Contact details

  • Coordinator: to be confirmed

  • Work address:

  • Contact information:

  • Telephone number:

  • E-mail:

Institution/division

  • Institution: Criminal Law and Criminology

  • Division: Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure

  • Room number secretariat: KOG, room C1.01

  • Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9 :00-17:00

  • Telephone number secretariat: +31 (0)71 527 7518

  • E-mail: w.bonis@law.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks

None