It is unfortunate that crime is an everyday occurrence in our society with the depth and severity depending on your geographical location in Australia. Few Australians have been untouched by it’s effect whether it be a misdemeanour or a felony. Crimes occur across all socioeconomic groups and cultures.

When we feel that we have been the victim of a crime, we realize we need to contact those whose jobs it is to carry out Australian law. Depending on the crime and the situation, our first point of call could be our local police department or a solicitor. These people will ensure we follow the correct procedures to ensure justice occurs.

1. In what situation would you contact the police department?
2. In what situation would you contact a solicitor?

Watch the following newsreport detailing a bank robbery that occurred in Sydney. Then in your groups create a mindmap of the legal processes involved to solve the crime.

News report-robbery

Police stormed a bank at Newtown this afternoon following reports that shots had been fired during a robbery. Ten reporter Amber Muir is at the scene this evening. “Amber at one point there was a report that hostages had been taken, have you heard any more about that?” “Well yet that has not been confirmed [..]”

What is Forensic Science?

The field of Forensic Science is about using science for the purposes of the law, and therefore provides impartial scientific evidence for use in the courts of law, e.g. in a criminal investigation and trial. Forensic Science is a multidisciplinary subject, drawing principally from chemistry and biology, but also physics, geology, psychology, social science, etc.

In criminal law cases, forensic scientists are involved in the examination of physical traces which may be useful for establishing or excluding a suspect of committing a crime. This evidence is gathered from the scene of the crime or the victim and is put through a series of tests to establish its relevance to the case.

These traces include blood and other body fluids, hairs, textile fibres from clothing etc, materials used in buildings such as paint and glass, footwear, tool and tyre marks, flammable substances used to start fires and so on. Sometimes the scientist will visit the scene itself to advise about likely sequence of events, any indicators as to who the perpetrator might be, and to join in the initial search for evidence.

Forensic Science Technicians Video

Technician video

Books and TV programs make the work of forensic science technicians seem fast paced and exciting. In real life however their job is more likely to be as slow and painstaking as it is important. Forensic science technicians work at the scene of a crime and in laboratories. They perform tests on weapons or they examine substances such as [..]