Course Details
Forensic Science in New Zealand: Pot, plants and poisoners
23 Jun 2014
Personal Interest
Other
Victoria University Community Continuing Education
This course is only offered in Wellington
After Hours
5 weeks, Mon 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
5 weeks, Mon 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
$140.00
Early Bird Discount available until 2 weeks prior to the course start date $126.00 incl GST
Early Bird Discount available until 2 weeks prior to the course start date $126.00 incl GST
Overview:
We think we know about forensics from television shows but, in reality, it is a multi-disciplinary science involving chemistry, physics, law and medicine. Investigation of the crime scene is the public face of forensics but laboratory analyses of many types are required to prepare a case for presentation in court. This course covers aspects of crime scene work, toxicology and illicit drugs in New Zealand over the past 30 years.
Target audience:
This course is targeted to interest members of the public, no special knowledge of science, beyond that learnt at school, is needed.
Learning objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will have:
•learnt about forensic science as it is practised in New Zealand
•gained a greater understanding of the complexity of much of the work carried out in relation to criminal cases
•gained an appreciation of the depth of knowledge required by forensic scientists, often reported and portrayed in a simplistic manner by the various forms of media.
Course outline:
Lecture presentations, with audience participation, cover the following topics.
Session 1: Introduction to the forensic sciences
•What are the forensic sciences and where did they begin?
•How have things changed over the years?
•Techniques used to analyse crime scenes, in the field and the laboratory
Session 2: Toxicology (reality versus TV toxicology)
•What is toxicology and why is it carried out?
•Understanding and interpreting toxicological analyses
Session 3: New Zealand drug scene (Mr Asia to Mark Bowden)
•From heroin to kronic – changes over 30 years in the use and availability of recreational drugs
•How does our legislation cope?
Session 4: Plants (or ‘how to kill your husband in a way ESR can’t detect’)
•Poisonous plants in New Zealand
•Plants with medicinal and recreational uses
Session 5: True crime
•Poisoners
•Murder in Wellington
Course format:
This lecture series is held on Monday evenings over five weeks. Each two-hour session covers two topics (one topic per hour).
There will be a short break half-way through each session, and you are welcome to bring refreshments if you wish.
We think we know about forensics from television shows but, in reality, it is a multi-disciplinary science involving chemistry, physics, law and medicine. Investigation of the crime scene is the public face of forensics but laboratory analyses of many types are required to prepare a case for presentation in court. This course covers aspects of crime scene work, toxicology and illicit drugs in New Zealand over the past 30 years.
Target audience:
This course is targeted to interest members of the public, no special knowledge of science, beyond that learnt at school, is needed.
Learning objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will have:
•learnt about forensic science as it is practised in New Zealand
•gained a greater understanding of the complexity of much of the work carried out in relation to criminal cases
•gained an appreciation of the depth of knowledge required by forensic scientists, often reported and portrayed in a simplistic manner by the various forms of media.
Course outline:
Lecture presentations, with audience participation, cover the following topics.
Session 1: Introduction to the forensic sciences
•What are the forensic sciences and where did they begin?
•How have things changed over the years?
•Techniques used to analyse crime scenes, in the field and the laboratory
Session 2: Toxicology (reality versus TV toxicology)
•What is toxicology and why is it carried out?
•Understanding and interpreting toxicological analyses
Session 3: New Zealand drug scene (Mr Asia to Mark Bowden)
•From heroin to kronic – changes over 30 years in the use and availability of recreational drugs
•How does our legislation cope?
Session 4: Plants (or ‘how to kill your husband in a way ESR can’t detect’)
•Poisonous plants in New Zealand
•Plants with medicinal and recreational uses
Session 5: True crime
•Poisoners
•Murder in Wellington
Course format:
This lecture series is held on Monday evenings over five weeks. Each two-hour session covers two topics (one topic per hour).
There will be a short break half-way through each session, and you are welcome to bring refreshments if you wish.
Teachers:
Dr Helen Poulsen has 30 years’ experience in analysis of illicit drugs and their involvement in sudden death. She works in the Toxicology Section of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), based in Wellington.
Dr Stephen Cordiner has 30 years of casework experience in the areas of serology, DNA testing, bloodstain pattern analysis, footwear impression comparisons and crime scene investigation. He works in the Forensic Services Group of ESR, based in Wellington.
Dr Helen Poulsen has 30 years’ experience in analysis of illicit drugs and their involvement in sudden death. She works in the Toxicology Section of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), based in Wellington.
Dr Stephen Cordiner has 30 years of casework experience in the areas of serology, DNA testing, bloodstain pattern analysis, footwear impression comparisons and crime scene investigation. He works in the Forensic Services Group of ESR, based in Wellington.