Events

 Forensic science has been called “an integral part of the criminal justice system” and yet few graduates and professionals entering or working in, the system possess an educational background that transcends entrenched disciplinary boundaries between the ‘law’ and ‘science’. Some problems stem from early educational decisions, but these can then be exacerbated by restrictive University course structures. The results manifest themselves during the criminal process, where there can be a ‘dialogue of the deaf’, when scientists, police and legal professionals have to work collaboratively.

This workshop will address issues related to teaching forensic science and law by bringing together legal and forensic science academics to explore avenues for improving understanding, collaboration and communication between the two disciplines. With preliminary research on current cross-disciplinary teaching in universities, this one-day workshop will ask:

• Are there problem areas/ barriers/ omissions that need addressing?
• Are there potential solutions that can be readily/ easily implemented?
• Is there a consensus on ‘best practice’ in this area?
• Are there issues that require further work and involvement of the wider community?
An outcome from this workshop will be to outline ideas for ‘best practice’ and how to achieve this. These ‘best practice’ suggestions will subsequently be published and disseminated by the HEA.
This preliminary meeting will be the starting point for further events and research, expanding to include practitioners, stakeholders and policy makers, with a view to informing national policy. This event is being organised by the Physical Sciences and Law Subject Centres on behalf of the Forensic Science and Law communities with the aim to ensure that both legal and forensic science education remain ‘fit for purpose’ in the 21st century. This requires that law educators and science educators lower their drawbridges and seek mutually beneficial solutions to common educational issues. This will not only reap benefits for students, but the legal and forensic science professions of the future, and ultimately, will assist the criminal justice system in its aims.
Who should attend?
o Law lecturers / learning and teaching staff with an interest in building upon/ expanding curriculum opportunities for law students
o Forensic science lecturers/ learning and teaching staff with an interest in legal education of forensic science students

This event has been organised by the Physical Sciences Centre and UKCLE in conjunction with the University of Leeds and Staffordshire University.

There is no registration fee for this meeting for those working in UK HE and lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Online registration

Programme

Further Information