Skip to 0 minutes and 0 seconds Project 39A, National Law University, Delhi and Eleos Justice at Monash University present to you this course - Decoding Forensics for Legal Professionals. In the six week course, using interactive learning tools, we will cover the scientific principles underlying forensic pathology, medical examination in cases of sexual offences, bite mark evidence and forensic DNA profiling. We will also explore the law on expert evidence and the legal standards for the examination of forensic evidence. In creating this online course, we have brought together renowned scientific and legal experts from India and Australia. Through video lectures, articles, quizzes and mock scenarios, you will understand the ‘science behind forensic science’ and how it interacts with the law. Some of the important aspects covered in
Skip to 1 minute and 7 seconds this course are: What is the role of expert evidence in a criminal trial? Expert evidence is an exception to the rule against opinion evidence because it is believed that the court can be guided by the special skill or knowledge of the expert to arrive at its decision. How should law examine the admissibility of forensic evidence? In a case involving scientific evidence, evidentiary reliability will be based on scientific validity. How should experts submit their opinions before the court? The law mandates a reasoned opinion. So every word uttered in the final opinion should have a scientific basis. What are the challenges that may arise in the examination of forensic evidence?
Skip to 1 minute and 52 seconds We have seen many times that crime scenes are not properly protected and there is lots of public interference, public needs to be educated about it. Through Project 39A’s research in this area, we have observed that laboratories face various administrative challenges and continue to deal with high number of vacancies and poor infrastructure. How should legal and forensic professionals approach the examination of forensic evidence? If experts are not used to being challenged in this way? Then you have to start doing it and you have to start getting them used to being challenged. Not only is this important for your case, but it will also promote the use of scientifically reliable techniques in the legal system.
Skip to 2 minutes and 32 seconds It is essential to understand these issues for a meaningful examination of forensic evidence. So join this course to start exploring these issues through a scientific lens.