Title: Multidisciplinary learning using mock trials

Authors: Gary C. Kessler, Robert Simpson, James Fry

Addresses: M.S. in Digital Investigaton Management Program, Champlain College, Burlington, VT, USA School of Computer and Information Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. ' Criminal Justice Program, Champlain College, Burlington, Vermont, USA. ' Paralegal Studies Program, Champlain College, Burlington, VT, USA

Abstract: In 2007, the Computer & Digital Forensics (C&DF), Criminal Justice (CJ) and Paralegal programs started to employ a mock trial to bring students from these three disciplines together. The event starts with a pre-planned crime scene. CJ students secure and process the crime scene, interview witnesses and gather evidence. Digital devices are recovered and are forensically processed by the C&DF students. Investigative reports are forwarded to Paralegal students who work with local attorneys who act in the role of the prosecution and defence teams. A retired criminal court judge presides over the proceedings, complete with a jury selected from volunteers from the college community. For many students, this is the first trial scenario they have seen outside of television.

Keywords: criminal justice education; digital forensics education; mock trials; paralegal education; multidisciplinary learning; computer forensics; electronic security; trial scenarios.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESDF.2009.024899

International Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics, 2009 Vol.2 No.2, pp.141 - 155

Published online: 03 May 2009 *

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