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