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HE Unit Template
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Forensic Behavioural Science
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BEHAV2004 - Forensic Behavioural Science
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20270200
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Course
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Unit
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3.0
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2026-09-10
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2026-09-10
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Psychology
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Institute of Health and Wellbeing
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Psychology
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Undergraduate
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15
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.125
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090701
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Psychology
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090701 - Psychology
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/behav2004">View unit fees</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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7
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Bachelor Degree
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1
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<p>This unit introduces students to forensic behavioural science and the varied ways psychology can inform our understanding of law, crime and the justice system. Students examine how psychological theories and research can be applied to contemporary forensic issues, such as criminal profiling, the relationship between mental health and offending, eyewitness memory and decision-making, and the selection and training of police. Through real-world examples, students consider both the contributions and limitations of psychological evidence in legal and forensic contexts.</p>
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<p> Topics may include:</p><p> 1. psychology and the law</p><p> 2. psychology and crime</p><p> 3. psychology of police</p><p> 4. evaluating witnesses and suspects</p><p> 5. psychology of victims</p><p> 6. jury selection</p><p> 7. forensic assessment</p><p> 8. psychology of punishment</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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2027
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2026
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BEHAV2004 - Forensic Behavioural Science
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BEHAV2004 - Forensic Behavioural Science
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Year
2027
2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>This unit introduces students to forensic behavioural science and the varied ways psychology can inform our understanding of law, crime and the justice system. Students examine how psychological theories and research can be applied to contemporary forensic issues, such as criminal profiling, the relationship between mental health and offending, eyewitness memory and decision-making, and the selection and training of police. Through real-world examples, students consider both the contributions and limitations of psychological evidence in legal and forensic contexts.</p>
Unit content
<p> Topics may include:</p><p> 1. psychology and the law</p><p> 2. psychology and crime</p><p> 3. psychology of police</p><p> 4. evaluating witnesses and suspects</p><p> 5. psychology of victims</p><p> 6. jury selection</p><p> 7. forensic assessment</p><p> 8. psychology of punishment</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Psychology
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090701 - Psychology
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 1</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/behav2004">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
None
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
<p>must not have completed 1 of "ATSGC3844" / "BEHAV3002"</p>
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
1
<p>Explain and apply selected psychological theories and research findings to analyse forensic issues and their relevance to legal processes.</p>
2
<p>Interpret and evaluate psychological evidence used in forensic contexts, considering how cultural and contextual factors, bias and inequality may influence legal processes and outcomes.</p>
3
<p> Locate, evaluate and select relevant evidence to develop a justified position on a forensic issue.</p>
4
<p>Communicate clear, evidence-based psychological arguments about forensic issues in written and oral formats, considering the audience, purpose and context.</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Independently research and apply appropriate knowledge of psychological science to a forensic context.</p>
<p>Written Task</p>
<p>25-50%</p>
1, 2, 3, 4
2
<p>Present a verbal argument applying knowledge of psychological science to a forensic context.</p>
<p>Oral presentation</p>
<p>15-35%</p>
1, 2, 3, 4
3
<p>Mastery of course content: Demonstrate and apply knowledge from the course in response to multiple-choice and/or short-answer questions.</p>
<p>Test(s) </p>
<p>25-45%</p>
1, 2
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
<p>Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor</p>
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
<p>Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor</p>
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
<p>Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor</p>
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Psychology
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090701 - Psychology
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 1</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/behav2004">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: BEHAV2004 - U3.0