From Sherlock Holmes to CSI

We all know what a crime scene looks like today – hooded, white-suited investigators carefully searching for traces of evidence from behind police tape. But what do we know about its history? What did a crime scene look like a century ago, and what happened in it?

Through a historical perspective, students will look at a wide range of forensic investigation techniques. From lie detectors and DNA ‘fingerprinting’ to detective fiction, newspaper reports of murder trials, and present-day TV forensic dramas; students will investigate who make claims to forensic truth and what tools and techniques they use to arrive at that conclusion.

The unit investigates the growing literature on the legal application of medical and scientific expertise. It contextualises contemporary understandings of and interest in forensics and its popular representations, and considers the history of forensics as a practical example of the dynamics of public understanding of science.

This unit does not require prior scientific, legal or historical knowledge; just a curiosity about styles of forensic investigation, past and present.

UCIL units are designed to be accessible to undergraduate students from all disciplines.

UCIL units are credit-bearing and it is not possible to audit UCIL units or take them for additional/extra credits. You must enrol following the standard procedure for your School when adding units outside of your home School.

If you are not sure if you are able to enrol on UCIL units you should contact your School Undergraduate office. You may wish to contact your programme director if your programme does not currently allow you to take a UCIL unit.

You can also contact the UCIL office if you have any questions.

This unit is also available with a different course unit code. To take a UCIL unit you must choose the unit with a UCIL prefix.

The unit investigates the growing literature on the legal application of medical and scientific expertise. It contextualises contemporary understandings of and interest in forensics and its popular representations; and considers the history of forensics as a practical example of the dynamics of public understanding of science.

On completion of the unit students will be able to:

• Describe and analyse the social, institutional and technical foundations of specific forensic techniques
• Describe historical developments in 19th and 20th century forensic medicine and science
• Review the historical impact of popular representations of forensics
• Identify and interpret debates in the medical, scientific, legal and public domains concerning the ethics and
• credibility of forensic evidence
• Prepare and defend well-argued contributions to interdisciplinary group debates

In addition, for 20 credits:

• Research and write a literature-based review, integrating scientific, historical and social viewpoints

• Histories of Forensics and Crime
• Poisonous Victorians
• Determining Sanity
• Criminal Identity
• Tales from the Dead
•  Make the Crime Scene
• Experts and Trust
• The DNA Revolution
• Watching the Detectives