This course takes a theoretically sophisticated but practically orientated look at how facts that may constitute evidence are used to prove particular outcomes in legal settings. It is not in any way a conventional course about the law of evidence. Rather, it is primarily about the nature of factual inference and it stresses the practical salience of forms of inquiries, for example in formulating and interpreting forensic science evidence. It considers how 'evidence' might establish 'proof' in terms of story-telling and trial narratives, as well as through formalised representations of inferential relationships (such as Wigmore charts and Bayes nets) and calculations of probability. Through classroom exercises that illustrate these theoretical approaches, the course aims to help students better understand how evidence gathering, presentation and forensic fact-finding is accomplished in legal proceedings and also how to think about and 'do' evidence and proof.

More information can be found on the Course Outline Website.