Global Criminal Justice in the Hague

Key Information

Information

Application Deadline: 23/10/24 at 9:00 am

Opportunity type: Academic-led trips

Faculty: Health and Life Sciences

Ref: 10008983

Dates

Departure Date: 04/02/25

Return Date: 07/02/25

Costs

£400: the estimated cost for travel and accommodation (excluding any support). Students will also be required to pay for: in-country travel (£15), visits (£30-50), food and drink, visa (if applicable)

Funding

DMU Global Bursary: £200

Booking

Accommodation: Shared rooms will be provided in a hostel

Travel: Travel booked by DMU (students travel as a group)

Contact

General Enquiries: Global Mobility Office - dmuglobal@dmu.ac.uk

Trip Lead: Emma Johnston - emma.johnston@dmu.ac.uk

How to pay

Payment details: Students will be required to pay £200 as a contribution towards the cost of travel, accommodation and transfers (if included) after being offered a place on the trip. The DMU Global bursary will be deducted directly from the overall cost of the booking.

Eligibility

Second year Forensic Science students are eligible to apply for this opportunity. There is a maximum of 30 places available, with a minimum of 15 participants required for this opportunity to take place. Students are recommended to check the eligibility criteria before applying.

About

Trip description

The Hague is known as the home of international law. With this in mind, it is the perfect location to learn about and observe international criminal justice. Planned visits will include trips to the International Criminal Court, The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the International Commission for Missing Persons. Optional cultural trips include the Peace Palace (home to the U.N.’s International Court of Justice), the Mauritshuis Museum (home to the best of Dutch painting from the age of Rembrandt and Vermeer) and the Prison Gate Museum (an ancient prison home to torture, trail and punishment).

Sitting on the west coast of the Netherlands, on the North Sea, The Hague is home to thriving bars and restaurants, many located around three main squares. Take time to explore the city’s architecture, culture and nightlife in your free time as part of this trip for Forensic Science students.

Building on the Essentials of Forensic Investigation module and supporting Issues in Criminal justice and then DNA Profiling and Presentation of Evidence in final year, this trip is all about how to approach evidence and then ultimately present it in court. Whether that be framing casework in the UK or learning about how crime is approached internationally, this trip has lots to inspire forensic scientists of the future.


The estimated total cost for Eurostar and accommodation for this trip to The Hague is £400. Students will be expected to pay £200, as the £200 DMU Global bursary will be deducted from the total.


Why take part?

This trip will give students the opportunity to experience forensic science outside of the domestic criminal justice system in the UK. You will learn about how forensic science can be applied to international investigations and interact with criminal justice professionals. You will develop awareness of current affairs and global issues. You will build upon your learning from the first and second year Essentials of Forensic Investigation and Issues in Criminal Justice modules.

Seeing how evidence is presented in court will be directly relevant to your final year DNA Profiling and Presentation of Evidence module, where you will present your own evidence in court. The balance of activities will allow you to learn about The Hague as the international city of peace and justice and also experience Dutch culture. You will be encouraged to get to know your peers on the trip and navigate a new city. These are not experiences we can offer you in the classroom in Leicester.



Learning objectives

Participating in a DMU Global opportunity can help you develop a range of employability skills and competencies that enhance your studies. The objectives of this trip to the Hague are:

  • Appreciation of the importance of their role as forensic scientists in international crime
  • Inspire students by seeing the potential opportunities to work beyond the UK
  • Giving students the opportunity to see evidence presented by an expert witness in court. Students will present their own evidence in their final year and this will be a great opportunity to see it in real life

This trip is open to all second year students. In this year students conduct a module called Issues in Criminal Justice. Within this module, a talk introducing the ICC and OPCW will be timetabled before their trip and a session to reflect upon their return.


Cultural activities

Whilst visiting The Hague students will be able to engage in a range of cultural activities that are relevant to their studies. There will be the chance to visit The Peace Palace (£14), which houses the International Court of Justice (which is the principal judicial body of the United Nations), the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), The Hague Academy of International Law and the Peace Palace Library.

Lastly, a visit to the Prison Gate Museum (€7.50 with student card), one of the oldest former prisons in the Netherlands will be offered. The optional cultural activities will allow students to choose which interest them the most. Student may also choose to take a trip to the beach or venture further afield and take a train to Amsterdam. We will hold a group dinner on the final night.

Visa Information

Due to various external factors and an unprecedented demand for international travel, there are significant delays in visa processing, as well as very limited availability of application appointment slots for some countries and embassies.

We recommend that you take all appropriate steps to secure a visa as soon as practically possible, and to notify DMU Global if you face any issues. It is your responsibility to meet the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to. Failing to do so may mean that you’re liable for the costs incurred to the university (including repayment of the DMU Global bursary).