Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science (Professional Practice)

Program Overview

This Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science (Professional Practice) equips students with specialized forensic skills through a year-long program. The program emphasizes real-world experience, including hands-on exercises and simulations, and provides a pathway to the Master of Forensics (Professional Practice).

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This year-long Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science (Professional Practice) equips students with specialized forensic skills. It caters to individuals with a science degree or a relevant bachelor's degree, enabling them to contribute to criminal investigations. The program also serves as an upskilling opportunity for existing Police or Forensic professionals. The program focuses on eight postgraduate forensic coursework units, covering a wide range of disciplines:

• Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA)
• Fingerprint and impression analysis
• Pathology and injury interpretation
• Anthropology and archaeology
• Forensic chemistry
Students will learn to:
• Reconstruct crime scenes
• Collect, process, and interpret biological, chemical, and physical evidence
• Prepare and deliver courtroom testimony
• Develop expertise in specimen preparation, sources of contamination, quality assurance, statistical interpretation, and the admissibility of evidence
The program offers a pathway for students who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Science (Professional Practice). Units from the Graduate Certificate can be credited towards the Graduate Diploma, allowing students to graduate with a Graduate Diploma by completing just four additional units.

Outline:

Total credit points: 24

Course Core (24 credit points)

• BIO598 Fingerprint Analysis (3 credit points)
• BIO599 Forensic Genetics (3 credit points)
• BIO682 Chemical Criminalistics (3 credit points)
• MMF600 Advanced Research Methods for Scientists (3 credit points)
• BIO555 Crime Scene to Courtroom (6 credit points)
• BIO666 Forensic Death and Homicide Investigation (6 credit points)

Teaching:

The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Hands-on experience: Students engage in practical exercises in multiple crime scene rooms on and off campus, equipped for different crime scenarios and bloodstain pattern interpretation.
• Real-world simulations: Students participate in a simulated large-scale homicide and a clandestine grave incident at Whitby Falls Farm, where they process evidence.
• Expert instruction: Students learn from a team of forensic practitioners with extensive domestic and international experience across thousands of real forensic cases.
• Guest lectures: Students benefit from guest lectures delivered by representatives from Australian law enforcement, scientists from forensic biology and chemistry laboratories, and forensic medical practitioners.

Careers:

Upon graduation, students are equipped with specialized skills to work in various fields, including:

• Crime Scene or Forensic Investigator
• Forensic Biologist
• Forensic Analyst
• Forensic Researcher (universities or government organizations)
Graduates can also find employment in pathology laboratories (such as toxicology, molecular diagnostics, or paternity testing) or establish their own private consultancy.

Other:

• The program emphasizes the application of real forensic techniques.
• Students interact with a team of experienced forensic practitioners.
• The program includes guest lectures from professionals in the field.
• The program provides a pathway to the Master of Forensics (Professional Practice).