NCJ Number
80439
Journal
Journal of the Forensic Society Volume: 21 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1981) Pages: 195-200
Date Published
1981
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The use of video recording to introduce forensic science students to the problems of giving expert evidence in the courts is described.
Abstract
The Master of Science in Forensic Science at England's Strathclyde University offers students of appropriate scientific disciplines the opportunity to study forensic science as an academic subject covering the areas of forensic serology, biology, chemistry, and toxicology. After having completed about 7 months of their formal instruction in these areas, the students are given an examination which parallels the format of their final examination at the end of the year's study. The examination consists of a 3-hour theory paper, followed by a 3- or 4-day practical examination based on a simulated case. At the conclusion of the practical exam, each student must submit an account of the scientific work conducted on the case and compose a report suitable for presentation in a court of law. About 1 month later, the student is required to present evidence in a simulated court, videotaped in the television studios. Televising the evidence presentation is intended to place the student in a stressful situation and give the examiners knowledge of how the candidate can cope with this type of stress. Further, students are given the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to explain complicated and sometimes conflicting evidence in a manner understandable to a jury. Both current students and practicing forensic scientists who had been through the videotaping experience considered it important in their occupational development. The development of the videotaped examination component and likely future directions are discussed. A sample of a simulated case used in an examination is presented, along with four references.