This unit provides an introduction to the emerging field of 'forensic studies'. While forensic science usually refers to technical and vocational expertise, forensic studies explores the 'forensic sciences' as a social phenomenon.

The main emphasis of forensic studies is on providing a generalist understanding of the forensics field, including how developments across the field might feed into particular social and criminal justice processes. Topics explored include the rise of popular media in which forensic science plays a central role; the effects of these media on the criminal justice system (e.g. 'the CSI effect'); the strengths, weaknesses and status (are they 'junk' science?) of various forensic disciplines (e.g. DNA, fingerprinting, bite-mark analysis, voice recognition); eye witness memory and false confessions; questions regarding the admissibility of various types of forensic evidence in the courts and levels of forensic science knowledge among actors in the criminal justice system (including police, lawyers, judges and juries); as well as the role of forensic science in wrongful convictions.

Forensic studies is an interdisciplinary field. The unit will explore the role of forensic science in society from a range of disciplinary perspectives such as: sociology, science, criminology, law, medicine, psychology, media studies and police studies. This unit is relevant to students interested in the workings of the criminal justice system, especially policing and the courts.