Forensic Sci.

Advanced Crime Scene Analysis2

Métodos Avançados de Análise da Cena do Crime

Course code:8059228

Maria Catarina Marques Dias de Almeida

Learning outcomes of the curricular unit:
  • Demonstrate knowledge on the more common crime types in Portugal.
  • Demonstrate knowledge on responsibilities and techniques applied in the collection and preservation of evidence in a crime scene with/without firearms (including the order in which the examinations are performed) demonstrating awareness of the availability and use of databases to support interpretation and of the requirements of continuity of evidence.
  • Demonstrate knowledge on firearms operation, ammunition and shotgun cartridges, effects caused by projectiles and several contents of the Forensic Ballistics.
  • Enable the students to identify different kinds of firearms and recognize the impact of Forensic Ballistics in the context of Criminal Investigation, applying the acquired knowledge in fields where a Firearms expert could be involved, especially in the answer to queries, in the crime scene or in the court of law.
  • Accomplish group tasks, lead and manage stressful situations, demonstrating effective work as part of a CSI team.
Syllabus:
  1. INTRODUCTION TO THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF CRIME OCCURRED IN PORTUGAL
  2. INTRODUCTION TO FINGERPRINT AND THEIR ROLE IN SOLVING CRIMES THROUGHOUT THE AGES
  3. DEVELOPMENTS IN DATA COLLECTION OF MARKS (e.g. Type tracksm footwear marks), FINGERPRINT AND BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE
  4. INTRODUCTION TO FIREARMS
    Concept, history and evolution.
    Firearms classification and operation (pistols, revolvers, shotguns and rifles).
    Types of ammunition and hunting cartridges (operation, structure and types of projectiles/bullets).
    Current legislation on firearms.
    Definition of caliber and common calibers for handguns, shotguns and rifles.
    Definition and fundamentals of Firearm Identification.
    Definition and types of modified and artisanal firearms.
  5. FORENSIC BALLISTICS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
    Trajectory, motion and range of projectiles fired by firearms.
    Crime Scene processing in incidents involving firearms (examples in the field).
  6. CASE STUDIES
 
Suggested Bibliography:
  • Gardner RM (2005) Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation, CRC Press USA. ISBN: 0-8493-2043-7.
  • Heard BJ (2008) Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics – Examining and interpreting Forensic Evidence 2nd ed., Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN: 978-0-470-69460-2.
  • Rinkler RA (2000) Understanding Firearm Ballistics – Basic to Advanced Ballistics, Mulberry House Publishing. ISBN: 9780964559851.
  • Sutton R & Trueman K (Eds.) (2017) Crime Scene Management: Scene Specific Methods, 2nd ed., Wiley UK. ISBN: 978-0-470-01678-7.
  • Wallace JS (2008) Chemical Analysis of Firearms, Ammunition and Gunshot Residue, CRC Press, USA. ISBN: 9781420069662