Forensic Science and Classic Crime Fiction

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous knowledge of forensic science necessary but a general familiarity with the crime fiction of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie is desirable.

Content of Course

This course looks at the ways in which crime fiction comes into existence in the mid-19th century and is fully established by the mid-20th century. Both forensic medicine and forensic science come into existence and are fully established in the same timeframe. It will look at the parallels and the crossovers between fact and fiction, and try to place each into the appropriate background, mostly focusing on Edinburgh's fascinating forensic history.
 

Teaching method(s)

Each class is structured around two lecture-sessions, which will include general discussion with a group-work session in the middle with activities that are specific to each class's period or topic. 

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course will be able to:

• Relate the development of forensic work to the development of forensic fiction, and vice versa;

• Discuss the ways in which authors did or did not use recent developments;

• Recognise how changes in the science and medicine affected the fiction and discuss whether the fiction influenced the criminal casework.

Sources

Core Readings

Essential:

There is no compulsory reading, although a familiarity with the three authors' crime fiction will be helpful.

Recommended:

Some of the main works of the three authors mentioned above, in any paperback edition:

• Christie, A., 2007. The Mysterious Affair At Styles. London: HarperCollins

• Conan D., 2001. A Study in Scarlet. London: Penguin Classics

• Sayers, D., 1963. Whose Body? UK: Hodder & Stoughton

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.