Forensic Investigation

This module will introduce students to important academic conventions, provide coverage of basic scientific concepts that will underpin work they do throughout the programme and to encourage students to think about how they can get the most from their time at university and beyond. Students will prepare a portfolio of exercises including critical thinking, personal development and CV writing. The portfolio is designed to help students identify and meet their learning needs relating to a range of key learning skills necessary for successful study at higher education level.  During this module students will learn academic conventions associated with referencing, the importance of critical analysis of information, how to access and present Forensic Studies information and work in groups. An important part of the module are sessions dedicated to understanding scientific terms and concepts that students will need to engage with other modules. These activities and the portfolio students will develop students as independent learners and instil confidence in them going forward with the rest of their study.

This module gives students the opportunity to investigate the history of forensic science, beginning with the origins of science itself, scientific method as a way of investigating the World around us, and the benefits and challenges provided by an evidence-based approach to problem solving.  The module will investigate the current state of forensic science provision and will enable students to critically evaluate the effects of the progressive privatisation of forensic science provision in England and Wales, and to compare this with forensic science provision in other jurisdictions, including Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This module will introduce students to forensic science as it applies to courts of law in the UK. In addition to highlighting what constitutes ‘forensic science’ and the scope of the discipline Forensic science in both criminal and civil courts will be considered, as will the growing role of informative forensic science in private and corporate investigations.  The students will, in particular, be made aware of the legal and ethical obligations and responsibilities of forensic scientists, and will be able to evaluate the consequences of breaches of these obligations and responsibilities. As part of this students will be introduced to the concept of Court of Appeal Judgments and should be able to navigate the British and Irish legal information website www.bailii.org. This module will provide the grounding for the rest of the forensic studies modules in this award.

Criminology is considered as a ‘rendezvous’ but specialist discipline; a study of crime and criminal activity that serves as a meeting point for Social Science disciplines. This module introduces and explores the various disciplinary approaches to the study of crime. However, it will have as its starting point an exploration of common-sense and everyday perceptions and the social construction of crime, as well as the representation of crime and the criminal justice system. The module will also begin to introduce and explore the range and scope of issues and topics examined by the specialist discipline of Criminology.

The module will conclude by introducing students to some of the Criminology related initiatives and interventions currently at the University, such as the ‘Innocence Project’, ‘ Prison Theatre productions’ and community based initiatives. This will also introduce students to the notion and opportunities for volunteering as part of the University wide initiative and policy.

Non-biological evidence covers a wide range of evidence types, such as ballistics, tyre and footwear marks, toolmarks and physical fit, and damage to textiles, each of which requires different methods of recovery and analysis.  In addition, non-biological evidence also includes a number of trace evidence types, such as fibres, glass, paint and gunshot residue, which require very different methods of recovery, packaging and analysis.  This module covers both the theory of the evidential value of these diverse evidence types, as well as a number of workshops in which the practical aspects will be covered.   As with all of the forensic technology modules, cases studies will be used throughout the module to illustrate important issues.

Forensic biology is much more than DNA analysis.  DNA profile evidence will be covered in its own module.  In this module students will investigate other technologies that forensic biologists have at their disposal to assist in the investigation of cases.  Because of its importance in serious assault cases there will be a strong focus on bloodstain pattern analysis but other human tissues and body fluids will also be covered in detail, including: hair, skin cells, semen, saliva, urine and faeces.  In addition, biometrics, fingerprints, palmprints and earprints will be included. The value of various evidence types will be illustrated by reference to important cases. The focus of the module will be on the difficulties inherent in collecting biological evidence e.g. the challenges presented by the possibility such evidence can be contaminated or degraded.

The forensic science sector is constantly innovating new ways to capture new evidence types as technology advances and endeavours to meet the evolving needs of criminal justice system. This module explores a range of contemporary issues facing the forensic science sector nationally and internationally. Students are introduced to the role of the forensic science regulator and the requirement for a forensic watchdog. The module also explores the legal, ethical, academic, and political challenges the system faces as it seeks to meet public expectations.

The police are one of the most important parts of the criminal justice system and also one of the most scrutinised. This module will introduce students to the work conducted by the police in England and Wales and focus on key debates on the role of the police with respect to the rest of society. The module will also examine and explore issues such as policing by consent, the arming of police and contemporary issues such as community policing and the policing of terrorism.  Other issues will include the policing approaches to protests and demonstrations. Challenges around police and youth groups and policing culture will be further considered.  There will also be some comparisons with police forces outside the United Kingdom. 

This module will deal with issues relating to the investigation of fatal and non-fatal injuries.  The role of the forensic pathologist, odontologist and toxicologist will be considered.  Students will learn about the history and development of medically based forensic science.  The duties of the forensic medical examiner will be explained.  Students should be aware that some images used in this module may be of a medically explicit nature.

Imaging techniques such as photography play an important role within crime scene investigation and analysis. This module introduces students to the contributions that forensic imaging techniques play in the building of forensic cases. This includes highlighting for students the importance of accurately preserving and capturing crime scenes when imaging them and equipping students with the technical knowledge to produce accurate images of evidence that can stand scrutiny in court.

This module provides opportunities for students to develop a practical skillset and it enables students to evidence their competency in several key applications in the laboratory and at the crime scene. The module places particular emphasis on enhancing transferable skills expected within graduate employment. The skills gained on this module provide an important foundation for students to apply and develop these skills further within Level 5 and at Level 6. Students will learn how to apply scientific methods to tackle problems in science, including how to construct a suitable hypothesis and how to design experiments to test this hypothesis. This module equips learner with basic scientific skills, skills specific to forensic contexts, and graduate skills as identified by prospective employers.

Forensic DNA profile evidence is one of the most important recent developments in forensic science.  Students studying this module will learn about the development of forensic DNA technology, from its origins in the 1980s to current applications.  The genetic basis of forensic DNA profiles will be explored, as will the variety of techniques that are available to an investigator.  As well as considering the benefits of DNA profile evidence, the students will explore the limitations of such evidence. Although the students will not undertake their own DNA profile analyses, DNA profiles will be provided for examination. The use of DNA profile evidence will be illustrated by reference to important cases. Although some of the content of the module is technical in nature the module will be taught assuming no prior knowledge of biology or chemistry.

Forensic ecology encompasses a wide range of biological disciplines which may be utilised in criminal and civil investigations.  In this module students will become familiar with taphonomic processes and the methods used to study and interpret them.  Forensic entomology may be used for various purposes, the most prominent being to determine minimum time since death.  Botanical and palynological (pollen) evidence are commonly used to reconstruct the chain of events at deposition sites, such as time since burial of remains and movement of vehicles and suspects.  In addition, a number of other ecological factors may be utilised for various reasons, such as soil, diatoms, fungi, algae and microorganisms.  Many of these sciences can also be utilised in the investigation of wildlife and environmental crime.  During the module, students will learn about the variety of ecological evidence types available, both on land and aquatic, their uses in forensic investigations, and the methods and challenges involved in their recovery and analysis.

This module will outline and examine the range of research processes associated with forensic and criminological disciplines: from the planning stage, literature review, through to data analysis and presentation of findings. The module will also critically examine the quantitative and qualitative approaches to research. It also considers the limitations of research. There will also be an evaluation of the main research methods employed within social and analytical sciences, including experimental design, questionnaires, case studies as well as a critical exploration of the ‘realities’ and ‘practicalities’ of research. An exploration of the ethical and political issues raised through doing social science research into issues and topics of a sensitive and illegal nature will also be included within this module. The module will develop the knowledge of the research process and the relevant research skills and understanding that will be utilised within the Dissertation.

• Case Investigation and Review - 15 Credits
• Volunteering for Forensic Studies - 15 Credits
• Violent Crime - 15 Credits
• Fakes and Forgeries - 15 Credits
• Geoforensics: Principles and Techniques of Landscape Search - 15 Credits

Following two years of study the Dissertation is an extended independent study module that provides an opportunity for students to develop further study into an area or topic of their own choice and interest, including undertaking a piece of independent research.

The student will:

• Identify a topic of interest.
• Provide a rationale for research their chosen topic.
• Devise and submit a research proposal.
• Conduct the research.
• Write up and present the project and main findings.

As part of the presentation of findings the student will prepare and present a poster outlining the research process, main findings and conclusions before addressing questions from peers and tutors. The Dissertation is a double module which spans Semesters 1 and 2 and provides the student with an opportunity to develop their interests in a specific aspect of Forensics as well as developing their research and communication skills.

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the observation, recording and preservation of both volume and major crime scenes and evidence. Students will be introduced to the role of all personnel at crime scenes and how to process both simple and complex crime scenes. Students will be taught the methods to avoid contamination of evidence and how to maintain a chain of custody. Part of this module considers how forensic investigators disseminate information in police briefings. Students will learn how forensic investigators deal with suspected linked crime scenes and how intelligence can inform forensic strategy. Students will develop forensic strategies in response to dynamic scenarios of both volume and major crimes.

This module will enable students to appreciate the various means by which scientific evidence can be presented. The module will cover written reports, the use of modern multi-media technology in evidence presentation, and issues regarding the presentation of evidence in the witness box. Students will consider whether popular media may affect the public perception of expert evidence and will be given training in presentation skills.

This module provides a detailed introduction to the objectives, approaches and methods of archaeological techniques and how these have informed the collection of forensic evidence. Archaeologists can play a key role at the major crime scene. It is for these reasons that archaeologists are employed as Crime Scene Investigators in major UK police forces as well as those in North America. The aim of this module is to develop scientific approaches that are of value to forensic archaeology and provide students with the necessary skills relevant to burial-recovery techniques. Students will be introduced to techniques for locating buried evidence within a defined site – both indoor and outdoor settings. Student will put into practice the identification of surface anomalies. Students will be introduced to excavation methods suitable for the recovery of degraded evidence in a range of contexts. Students will become familiar with recording techniques suited for buried remains and scattered evidence. Student learning will be re-enforced through their participation in a mock outdoor crime scene practical. Students will gain a critical understanding in how the skills of the forensic archaeologist are deployed in a range of suspected crime scenes including domestic murder and the investigation of suspected genocide. Students will strengthen their report writing skills through the production of an expert witness report.

• Advanced Forensic Examination - 15 Credits
• Document Analysis - 15 Credits
• Forensic Linguistics - 15 Credits
• Criminological Psychology - 15 Credits