With the use of British wildlife crime cases discuss the importance of forensic (physical) evidence in intelligence gathering and prosecuting cases.

COURSEWORK ASSESSMENT 1: ESSAY (50%)

Task: With the use of British wildlife crime cases discuss the importance of forensic (physical) evidence in intelligence gathering and prosecuting cases.
Word limit: 2,000 words

Deadline: 2pm on Thursday15thDecember 2016

What to submit to the VLE: A single Word or PDF document only, containing your essay andreference list. No appendices are required.

Learning outcomes assessed: 1, 3 & 5

Hints and tips
In your work you should include the offences committed or alleged and the laws used.
Use at least two of the following types of physical evidence to emphasise your discussion (these do not have to come from the same case):-
DNA, Fingerprints, Footwear,Track marks, Implement marks, Fur, Hairs, Fibres,
Paint, Pollen, Soil, Poisons & Chemicals
Describe how the evidence would have been retrieved, packaged and recorded and then analysed. Using your case studies critically evaluate the relevance and weighting given to the evidence and describe the analytical techniques used to arrive at the interpretation e.g. the identification of crime scene material, any mention of the evidential probability using Bayes Theorem (were relevant) and / or the intelligence analysis.
You may use appropriate tables, graphs and maps to illustrate and support your text. Include areas such as the reliability of statistics, organisations involved and whether species are considered overprotected. Are there patterns to the crimes e.g. areas, times, seasons and any challenges to enforcing the laws.
You can use information from reliable sources on the internet but you must also use peer-reviewed scientific articles.
Please remember to use the APA referencing system details from LIS or online.
Your research should encompass a full range of literature, including, but not limited to, academic sources; data and reports, and grey literature, including policy documents andliterature from professional organisations.
?he focus should be on analysis and critical commentary, rather than on straightforwarddescriptions of policy and practice.
This assessment should follow a standard essay format and be writtenin the third person.

Marking criteria

The marking criteria used for this assignment are derived from the generic level 7 marking criteria, and can be found on the module space under Assignments.

ALL ASSIGNMENTS SHOULD INCLUDE YOUR ASSESSMENT NUMBER ON THE FIRST PAGE