Geoforensics

Overview

The module covers the application of geoscience to criminal investigations. The range of geoscience disciplines will range from the macro- to the micro and will all centre on physical geography.

Learning Objectives

Application of new and routine geoscience techniques to aspects of geography that the students will not have encountered before. They will thus gain an understanding of the importance of precise field recording and multi-disciplinary approaches to problem-solving. Upon completion of the module, the successful student will be able to: Understand the range of geoscience techniques applied to criminal, humanitarian and environmental legal investigations. Argue for the appropriate use of techniques in different (macro to micro, environment-specific) investigations. Stand by their decisions and results in a legal framework: to have notes examined, their observations questioned and their arguments countered. Provide evidence of the historical and scientific background to their arguments. Present their Geoforensic skills in both a technical, detailed manner and transpose this to an easy to understand synopsis, such as presented to a jury.

Skills

Subject Specific Skills\T,P,A Landscape interpretation, T. remote sensing, T. geophysics, T, P, A best practice in note-taking and recording. Cognitive Skills\ P, A Generating arguments based on hard data, presented in support of succinct arguments. P, A. Questioning assumptions. Transferable Skills\ P. Debating (including legal issues), T, P, A. precise recording for auditing, assessing, stock-taking. T, P, A Landscape interpretation for planning.

Assessment

None