Forensic Science

Introduction to Forensic Biology

Gain an introduction to the key areas that underpin the complex biological aspects of forensic science. You’ll write scientific reports and carry out oral presentations, both of which are important skills required of a forensic scientist.

Forensic Chemistry

Study theoretical and practical chemistry in relation to forensic science, including concepts of periodicity, bonding and structure, functional group chemistry, thermodynamics, and kinetics.

The Forensic Process

Develop your professional awareness of forensic science and the English legal system. Examine the role of the forensic scientist and law enforcement agencies, and even experience live trials. Also witness and investigate a live arson scene, under the guidance of renowned fire instigation experts.

Introduction to Forensic Analysis

Learn basic chemical principles including chromatography, applied spectroscopy, statistical tests, electroanalytical techniques, and appropriate specialist methods.

Technical Skills for Forensic Science

This module will develop your understanding of professional standards in forensic science, with particular emphasis on the development of your technical and digital skills, including use of an e-portfolio to demonstrate your competency in these areas.

Professional Skills for Forensic Science

Develop your skills in mathematical sciences. This module will help to train you, as a forensic scientist, in the essential calculated and logical thought processes needed to solve problems

Core modules

Biological Techniques in Forensic Science

This module will form a platform of knowledge, conceptual understanding and skills in the application of bioscience techniques and their relevance to forensic science.

Crime Scene Investigation and Forensic Photography

Learn about crime scene investigation and its role within the forensic process, leading onto forensic image processing and the procedures and legislation attached to these areas.

Ethics and Law for Forensics

Gain a professional awareness of the law governing police powers, the substantive criminal law and the law of evidence, including an analysis of law and the European Convention on Human Rights.

Forensic Casework Examination

Develop an awareness of the application of laboratory examination methods in forensic science, enabling practical application of relevant techniques to casework problems.

Forensic Analysis

Building on Year One, you will focus on interfering sample matrices, quantitative and qualitative identification of multicomponent samples, and measurements under non-ideal conditions.

Choose from the following optional modules:

Introduction to Suspicious Death Investigations

You’ll consider the range of specialist practitioners needed to investigate an unexplained death in different circumstances and learn the techniques and methods used. Examine bio-deterioration (including decay and degradation of bodies under different environmental conditions) through scenario-led practical sessions.

Microbial Structures, Identification and Distribution

Explore the function of important subcellular structures of micro-organisms, as well as the taxonomy and identification of the main groups of bacteria, fungi and viruses relating to forensic investigations.

Forensic Image Processing

Study the principles of imaging including theory of light, how digital sensors work, image noise and techniques for image enhancement.  The module is taught through a series of practical workshops where you’ll use our wide range of imaging equipment before processing your images using the software package Image.

If you are taking a year-long work placement (sandwich course) the modules below will be studied when you return to campus in year four.

Core modules

Molecular Techniques for Identification

You will develop an understanding of the role of DNA-based analysis, looking at the various techniques and issues relating to the successful recovery and analysis of DNA samples.

Drugs of Abuse

This unique module focuses on drugs of abuse and illustrates the forensic applications of a range of analytical techniques. You’ll learn about the legislation covering substances and their classifications. It also includes international drug trafficking and case studies of clandestine laboratories.

Research Methodology

This module will prepare you to undertake the research project in the final year, developing your skills in critical thinking and designing experimentation.

Advanced Topics in Forensic Science

You’ll look at current aspects of research in forensic science and tackle current issues facing the forensic community.

Choose one of the following optional modules:

Advanced Crime Scene Investigation

Managing a crime scene is explored in detail in this module and you’ll learn how to deal with major and serious crime scenes and consider contamination issues. Blood pattern analysis is also studied and you’ll develop an understanding dynamics of blood interpretation and its use as evidence in investigations.

Forensic Microbiology

Develop your molecular identification methods including microbial DNA fingerprinting (PFGE, PCR-amplification techniques) and explore the use of international databases (EnterNet, PulseNet).

You’ll consider bioterrorism, accidental and deliberate contamination, medical negligence and food-borne disease through the use of real-life case studies.

Environmental Forensic Assessment

You’ll review case studies in forensic ecology and study the degradation of plant and animal remains as part of the decomposition food web. This will help you to determine the time and place of death or burial / drowning at a crime scene.

Choose one of the following optional modules:

Communicating Science and Technology

This module will be of interest to you if you are considering a career in teaching and / or want to develop your portfolio of transferable skills.

Ballistics and Firearms

Study the current legislation around firearms including hand guns, rifles, shotguns, sub machine guns, proof marks and ammunition.  You’ll explore physical concepts for ballistics to understand the nature of spent ammunition comprising Newton’s laws of motion and gravity.

Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology

Taking bone geochemistry and ancient skeletal materials as a reference you’ll develop skills in assessing causes and places of death using techniques such as monitoring skeletal injury/changes including arthritis.

If you are taking a year-long work placement (sandwich course) the modules below will be studied when you return to campus in year five.

Core modules

Project 60

This is the capstone module where you’ll work with a member of academic staff and undertake in-depth research in an aspect of forensic science.

Forensic Expert

This module will allow you to develop a skills portfolio that’s expected of the expert witness and take a case file through to being presented at court.

Choose two from the following optional modules:

Biometrics and Forensic Databases

Gain an overview of identification, authentication and verification techniques, with an introduction to the theory of database systems and the legal and moral implications of database use.

Analytical Toxicology

Develop working knowledge of various drug separation and detection techniques and the application of analytical approaches to detect and quantify drugs and metabolites in biological fluids and tissues. You’ll review the use and abuse of substances used as both medicines and poisons.

Bioarcheology

You will look at the recovery of bodies in missing persons and unexplained death scenarios, including search, recording, recovery, and the evidential significance of plants, pollen and soils.