MSc Document Analysis

The MSc in Document Analysis is a one-year taught Master’s Programme consisting of two semesters of taught modules and one semester of an original research project. The course is the only taught programme in academia to focus on the specialist field of forensic document examination and is based within a dedicated Forensic Science school with state of the art forensic investigation laboratories as well as excellent resources in forensic chemistry.

The MSc in Document Analysis is designed to enable graduate students and forensic practitioners to understand and develop the theoretical knowledge underpinning all aspects of forensic document examination and to develop skills in a variety of areas, which concern the processing, analysis, identification and interpretation of questioned documents.
The course provides intensive training in all areas of forensic document analysis and provides extensive practical training in the areas of the analysis and identification of handwriting, signatures, printing apparatus and fraudulent documents.  The course also provides students with training to act as an expert witness and presentation and communication skills.
Students graduating from this course will be well placed to gain employment in forensic science laboratories, police investigation teams and fraud departments in major government or private organisations, or to go on to further research in academia at doctoral level.

Students will study the principles underpinning the scientific analysis of handwriting and signatures together with the considerations involved when carrying out forensic casework.
This course will also provide practical experience in the examination of printing equipment, typewriters, photocopiers and the identification of forged or counterfeit documents. Students will be trained in a number of analytical techniques using highly specialised apparatus, such as the use of the video spectral comparator, a comparison microscope, ESDA (Electrostatic Detection Apparatus) and a Raman Spectrometer.  In addition, the course will provide students will the opportunity to develop a large number of transferable skills.

For more information on this course including how to apply and entry requirements, please see the main course listing.

For further academic information please contact the Programme Leader: Allison Jones, aejones@uclan.ac.uk, 44-(0)1772-894386

Staff

• Allison Jones
• Claire Williamson