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About Study Course

Credit points / ECTS:2 / 3
Course supervisor:Aelita Zīle
Study type:Part time, Full time
Course level:Bachelor
Target audience:Juridical Science
Language:Latvian
Branch of science:Law; Theory of Forensic Science and Investigation Field Work

Objective

Acquire theoretical knowledge and update students’ practical skills in forensic techniques, tactics and methodologies in the detection of a criminal offence.
Promote students’ understanding of the examination of the scene, examination of various types of traces and objects, specific character of collecting and packaging and the role of expertise in detecting crime.
Promote students’ awareness of the tactics applicable to specific investigative activities and the methodology for investigating certain types of criminal offences.

Prerequisites

Introduction to Civil Law, Logic, Administrative Law, Human Rights, Criminal Law. General Part, Criminal Law. Special Part, Criminal Process. General Part, Criminal Process. Special Part.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

On completion of the study course students will be able to demonstrate:
• basic and specialised knowledge of forensic techniques, tactics and methodology, which have a significant impact on the progress and quality of the investigation of criminal offence;
• understanding of key concepts and regularities in forensic techniques, tactics and methodology for identifying the different types of trace-formation mechanisms and their succession; selecting appropriate investigative actions for each particular criminal offence; proposing possible versions and proving them;
• knowledge of the scene inspection, drawing up an investigation plan and carrying out other investigative activities.

Skills

On completion of the study course, students will be able to:
• carry out the tasks assigned during the study course independently, using special literature and improving their knowledge and skills;
• demonstrate a scientific approach to tackling the assigned tasks;
• take responsibility for the quality of the tasks assigned and the results obtained;
• make a decision independently on the method to be applied for scene inspection, on the choice of the method for print and trace collection, on the choice of investigative action to be taken in the course of investigation, justifying the choice and defending their opinion;
• find a solution independently to address problem situations by taking responsibility for the decision made and justifying it;
• use the acquired theoretical knowledge and practical skills in obtaining information and analysing it in order to make an appropriate decision in the existing situation;
• assess critically the existing situation and independently decide on further action by justifying own opinion.

Competence

On completion of the study course, students will be able to:
• use theoretical knowledge and skills in forensic techniques, tactics and methodology in carrying out the assigned tasks and for self-improvement;
• independently obtain and analyse the information at the scene of the criminal offence, propose possible versions, independently draw up a plan of investigative actions to be taken;
• make reasoned decisions independently, prognosticate the possible problem situations and find possible solutions to the problem while carrying out the tasks assigned during the course;
• demonstrate understanding of professional ethics by carrying out the tasks assigned and by discussing and justifying one’s opinion.

Study course planning

Planning period:Year 2024, Spring semester
Study programmeStudy semesterProgram levelStudy course categoryLecturersSchedule
Law Science, TZNz5Bachelor’sLimited choiceAelita Zīle
Law Science, TZ6Bachelor’sLimited choiceAelita Zīle