Challenging Forensic Science: Critical Analysis for Court
Learn how forensic science evidence should be interpreted and presented in court. Explore DNA analysis, statistics, and expert testimony.
Learn how forensic science evidence should be interpreted and presented in court. Explore DNA analysis, statistics, and expert testimony.
This comprehensive course challenges common misconceptions about forensic science and its role in the criminal justice system. Led by experts from the University of Lausanne, it examines how scientific evidence should be properly interpreted and presented in court. Through analysis of notable cases, students learn about DNA analysis limitations, statistical interpretation, and the importance of proper evidence evaluation. The course features interviews with leading forensic experts and explores critical issues in forensic reporting and testimony.
4.9
(469 ratings)
17,946 already enrolled
Instructors:
English
Powered by
What you'll learn
Understand the principles of evaluative reporting in forensic science
Analyze the limitations and proper interpretation of DNA evidence
Recognize the importance of statistical reasoning in forensic science
Evaluate expert testimony and forensic reports critically
Identify common fallacies in forensic evidence interpretation
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
753 Minutes PreRecorded video
5 assignments
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
FullTime access
Shareable certificate
Closed caption
Get a Completion Certificate
Share your certificate with prospective employers and your professional network on LinkedIn.
Created by
Provided by
Top companies offer this course to their employees
Top companies provide this course to enhance their employees' skills, ensuring they excel in handling complex projects and drive organizational success.
There are 5 modules in this course
This course examines forensic science's role in the criminal justice system, focusing on proper evidence interpretation and presentation in court. Students explore DNA analysis, statistical evaluation, and landmark cases that highlight both the potential and limitations of forensic evidence. The curriculum covers critical topics including DNA transfer and contamination, statistical fallacies, and identification methods. Expert interviews and case studies provide practical insights into forensic science's real-world application and challenges.
What is the "DNA" of a good forensic report?
Module 1 · 3 Hours to complete
Elementary: source is not activity!
Module 2 · 2 Hours to complete
DNA is not the magic bullet
Module 3 · 3 Hours to complete
Trials by Numbers or Numbers on Trial
Module 4 · 2 Hours to complete
The wonderland of certainty
Module 5 · 4 Hours to complete
Fee Structure
Payment options
Financial Aid
Instructors
Dr. Alex Biedermann: Forensic Science Expert and Decision Analysis Scholar
Dr. Alex Biedermann serves as Associate Professor at the School of Criminal Justice, Faculty of Law, Criminal Justice and Public Administration at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). His academic credentials include BSc and MSc degrees in Forensic Science from UNIL and a Ph.D. focusing on graphical models and probabilistic inference in forensic evidence evaluation. His professional experience includes work as a scientific advisor for the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police, handling cases for the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland. Through his Coursera courses "Challenging Forensic Science: How Science Should Speak to Court" and "La science forensique au tribunal: témoin digne de foi?" he helps students understand the complexities of forensic evidence interpretation. As principal investigator of the NORMDECS project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, he studies forensic interpretation through probability and decision theory. His research connects forensic science and law with computational statistics and philosophy of science. With over 100 publications to his name, he continues to advance the field of forensic decision analysis while maintaining visiting appointments at institutions in Adelaide and Beijing.
Forensic Science Expert and Evidence Interpretation Specialist
Dr. Christophe Champod serves as Full Professor at the School of Criminal Justice, University of Lausanne, where he earned both his M.Sc. and Ph.D. (summa cum laude) in Forensic Science in 1990 and 1995 respectively. After serving as assistant professor, he led the Interpretation Research Group of the Forensic Science Service (UK) from 1999 to 2003 before returning to Lausanne as full professor. He currently manages the ISO/SEC 17025 accredited forensic laboratory at ESC while overseeing education and research on identification methods. His expertise extends to expert witness work, and he serves on the Steering Committee of the International Fingerprint Research Group (IFRG). Through his Coursera courses in forensic science, he teaches students about evidence interpretation in court settings. His contributions to forensic science have earned him numerous accolades, including the 2020 Douglas M. Lucas Medal and the 2015 Distinguished ENFSI Scientist Award. His research focuses on inferential aspects of forensic identification techniques and the evaluation of forensic evidence.
Testimonials
Testimonials and success stories are a testament to the quality of this program and its impact on your career and learning journey. Be the first to help others make an informed decision by sharing your review of the course.
4.9 course rating
469 ratings
Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.