Students
MMCC3031 – Forensic Media
2026 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
John Potts
Lecturer, tutor
Uzma Aleem
25WW C327
Tuesday 4-5 pm
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit examines the crucial roles that forensic media play in news media organisations. It offers a brief history of the historical emergence of forensic media, tracking the development of the inked fingerprint, police mug shot, forensic photography and the establishment of criminal archives. It then examines the broad spectrum of contemporary technologies that are shaping the field of forensic media, including: forensic typical body charts, border technologies, satellite imaging and crisis mapping, CCTV, surveillance technologies and social media. It also examines the manner in which fictional television series, such as CSI, represent forensics and the manner in which they have influenced actual forensic practices. Forensic technologies have now become foundational for news organisations in order for them to illustrate and evidence their news stories – from social media apps to record and communicate unfolding newsworthy events to forensic satellite imaging to evidence humanitarian and environmental crises. This unit places forensic media within news media contexts in order to address the ethical, geopolitical and social questions that the use of such media raises. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: research and evaluative the historical, political and technological forces that have been constitutive in the emergence of forensic media.
- ULO2: apply critical and analytical skills in the examination and evaluation of the key concepts and arguments that underpin the use of forensic media across different platforms and news organisations.
- ULO3: analyse local and international perspectives on forensic media.
- ULO4: apply critical argumentation skills in order to articulate and evidence different viewpoints on the social, geopolitical and ethical uses of forensic media.
- ULO5: communication the key ideas, issues and disciplinary debates on the use of forensic media across diverse platforms and contexts.
- ULO6: apply ethical and socially responsible skills that demonstrate the ability to analyse and reflect on the ethical implications generated by the uses of forensic media in their respective geopolitical contexts.
General Assessment Information
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the
total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the
7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the
assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A
1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty
will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as
tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs)
will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due | Groupwork/Individual | Short Extension | AI Approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial Presentation | 40% | No | Weekly from Week 3 | Individual | No | Observed |
| Final Essay | 60% | No | 06/11/2026 | Individual | Yes | Open |
Tutorial Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 44 hours
Due: Weekly from Week 3
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed
A task that demonstrates a student’s disciplinary knowledge and skills through verbal communication to the class. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- research and evaluative the historical, political and technological forces that have been constitutive in the emergence of forensic media.
- apply critical and analytical skills in the examination and evaluation of the key concepts and arguments that underpin the use of forensic media across different platforms and news organisations.
- analyse local and international perspectives on forensic media.
- apply critical argumentation skills in order to articulate and evidence different viewpoints on the social, geopolitical and ethical uses of forensic media.
- communication the key ideas, issues and disciplinary debates on the use of forensic media across diverse platforms and contexts.
- apply ethical and socially responsible skills that demonstrate the ability to analyse and reflect on the ethical implications generated by the uses of forensic media in their respective geopolitical contexts.
Final Essay
Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 54 hours
Due: 06/11/2026
Weighting: 60%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open
A formal essay that fulfils the conventions of the academic genre, including critical address of key issues, analytical argumentation and buttressing of all assertions with relevant evidence. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- research and evaluative the historical, political and technological forces that have been constitutive in the emergence of forensic media.
- apply critical and analytical skills in the examination and evaluation of the key concepts and arguments that underpin the use of forensic media across different platforms and news organisations.
- analyse local and international perspectives on forensic media.
- apply critical argumentation skills in order to articulate and evidence different viewpoints on the social, geopolitical and ethical uses of forensic media.
- communication the key ideas, issues and disciplinary debates on the use of forensic media across diverse platforms and contexts.
- apply ethical and socially responsible skills that demonstrate the ability to analyse and reflect on the ethical implications generated by the uses of forensic media in their respective geopolitical contexts.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- Academic Success for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.
3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.
Delivery and Resources
Teaching in this unit combines lectures, tutorials, scholarly readings and contemporary case studies to support critical engagement with forensic media.
Students are expected to complete the prescribed readings before attending tutorials and actively participate in class discussions.
Lecture materials, readings, announcements and assessment information will be available through the unit iLearn site.
Students are encouraged to engage with current journalism, documentary media, investigative reporting and digital verification resources throughout the semester to support both assessments.
Unit Schedule
Unit Schedule
MMCC3031 Forensic Media
Lecture Schedule – Session 2, 2026
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Week |
Lecture Topic |
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Week 1 |
28 July: Introduction to Forensic Media |
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Week 2 |
4 August: Forensic Photography, Mugshots and Visual Evidence |
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Week 3 |
11 August: Forensic Drones, CCTV and Body-Worn Cameras |
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Week 4 |
18 August: Crime Scene Documentation and Non-fiction Investigative Storytelling |
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Week 5 |
25 August: Forensic Media, Deathscapes and Human Rights |
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Week 6 |
1 September: Geospatial Technologies, Satellite Imagery and Crisis Mapping |
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Week 7 |
8 September: Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), Social Media Verification and Digital Investigations |
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Week 8 |
15 September: Reading Week MID-SEMESTER BREAK |
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Week 9 |
6 October: Artificial Intelligence, Deepfakes and Synthetic Media |
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Week 10 |
13 October: Forensic Genetics, Biometrics and the CSI Effect |
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Week 11 |
20 October: Ethics of Forensic Media, AI and Digital Surveillance |
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Week 12 |
27 October: The Future of Forensic Media |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
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Academic Success
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- Ask a Study Coach
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The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2026.02 of the Handbook