Forensics

2024/2025

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

3

ECTS credits

Delivered by:

School of Finance

Type:

Mago-Lego

When:

2 module

Instructor

Egorova, Alexandra

Course Syllabus

Abstract

According to the 2020 Global Economic Crime Survey, 47% of companies experienced a fraud in the past 24 months and on average, companies reportedly experienced 6 incidents in the last 24 months. The most common types of fraud include customer fraud, cybercrime, asset misappropriation, bribery and corruption and financial statements fraud. Forensic services help companies discover illicit acts on time, carry out forensic investigations and mitigate risks. Aim of the course is to familiarize students with the theory and practice behind the forensics expertise. During the course we will discuss regulatory frameworks, approaches to and considerations of investigations of crimes committed, apply effective tools for identifying risks and developing and implementing fraud prevention systems. In addition, students will familiarize themselves with the related forensics matters such as corporate intelligence, forensic technology, dispute and litigation support, financial crime, whistleblowing systems, anti-money laundering, sanction and other compliance matters.

Learning Objectives

• Foundational Knowledge: Equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, methodologies, and techniques used in modern forensic science
• Critical Thinking: Cultivate students' abilities to critically evaluate evidence, draw logical conclusions, and approach forensic investigations with a systematic and analytical mindset.
• Practical Application: Provide hands-on experiences, laboratory sessions, and simulated crime scenes to allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.
• Research Competency: Encourage students to engage in research, staying updated with the latest advancements and innovations in the field of forensic science.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Know the basics of Fraud and fraudsters
• Understanding of the principles and importance of independence, objectivity, and skepticism in auditing.
• Comprehensive understanding of internal audit processes and the significance of the three lines of defense.
• Ability to evaluate financial controls and detect potential financial statement frauds.
• In-depth knowledge of revenue recognition detection techniques and potential issues associated with it.
• Proficiency in identifying and addressing revenue and receivables misappropriation
• Ability to use financial ratios as measures of risk or indications of fraud, with insights from the Beneish research.
• Ability to recognize the typical characteristics of anonymous tips and their implications.

Course Contents

• Introduction. Fraud and fraudsters.
• Audit and investigation of fraud
• Internal Audit and Fraud Related to Revenue
• Assets misappropriation
• Financial ratio analysis. When and why to call forensic accountants
• Fraud investigation strategy and reporting

Assessment Elements

• Group project
  Independent group assignment is performed in a team of up to 6 people on a given topic. The team presents the project at the final seminar (December 13th). Each member of the project team speaks with an individual part of the project. The assessment for the project is given individually to each team member. When evaluating a project, the quality of the prepared material, speech, presentation of the report and compliance with the established time limit for the presentation are taken into account. The duration of the performance of each team is 10-15 minutes. Based on the results of the discussion, the listeners ask the team questions on the topic of the presentation and participate in the discussions.
• Participation in discussion
  Participation in discussions during lectures and seminars
• Home assignment

Interim Assessment

• 2024/2025 2nd module
  0.5 * Group project + 0.4 * Home assignment + 0.1 * Participation in discussion

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• A guide to forensic accounting investigation, Golden, T., 2006
• Crime scene to court : the essentials of forensic science, , 2005
• Current perspectives in forensic psychology and criminal behavior, Bartol, C. R., 2008
• Digital forensics in the era of artificial intelligence, Moustafa, N., 2023
• Encyclopedia of forensic science : a compendium of detective fact and fiction, Conklin, B. G., 2002
• Financial investigations. A forensic accounting approach to detecting and resolving crimes, , 2002
• Financial investigations. A forensic accounting approach to detecting and resolving crimes. Vol.1: Student textbook, ,
• Financial investigations. A forensic accounting approach to detecting and resolving crimes. Vol.2: Student workbook, ,
• Forensic accounting and fraud examination, Kranacher, M.-J., 2020
• Forensic accounting, Zimbelman, M. F., 2012
• Gudjonsson, G. H., & Haward, L. R. C. (2016). Forensic Psychology : A Guide to Practice. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1165368
• Priddis, C., & Vandenberg, N. (2018). Australasian forensic science summit 2016: education and training towards 2030. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 50(3), 293–304. https://doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2017.1383571
• Sammons, J. (2014). The Basics of Digital Forensics : The Primer for Getting Started in Digital Forensics (Vol. Second edition). Amsterdam: Syngress. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=924929
• Trials of a forensic psychologist : a casebook, Ewing, C. P., 2008
• Колдин, В. Я., Forensic Identification : монография / В. Я. Колдин. — Москва : Русайнс, 2019. — 454 с. — ISBN 978-5-4365-3442-8. — URL: https://book.ru/book/934438 (дата обращения: 03.04.2025). — Текст : электронный.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Altheide, C., & Carvey, H. A. (2011). Digital Forensics with Open Source Tools. Burlington, MA: Syngress. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=363702
• Myagkov, M. G., Shakin, D., & Ordeshook, P. C. (2009). The Forensics of Election Fraud : Russia and Ukraine. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=304732
• Nuzzolese, E., Lupariello, F., & Di Vella, G. (2018). Selfie identification app as a forensic tool for missing and unidentified persons. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.C20865F9
• State crimes against democracy : political forensics in public affairs, , 2013
• The Forensic Psychologist's Casebook, Psychological profiling and criminal investigation, edited by Laurence Alison, XXVII, 410 p., , 2006
• The forensics of election fraud : Russia and Ukraine, Myagkov, M., 2009
• The new forensics : investigating corporate fraud and the theft of intellectual property, Anastasi, J., 2003
• Thomas W. Golden, Steven L. Skalak, Mona M. Clayton, & Jessica S. Pill. (2006). A Guide to Forensic Accounting Investigation. Wiley.

Authors

• EGOROVA ALEXANDRA ALEKSEEVNA