Forensic Science

The module gives you the opportunity to apply your existing forensic knowledge, develop new skills in the examination and reporting of forensic evidence, and develop understanding of the forensic process in a laboratory setting. You'll be required to plan and carry out the necessary searching, recovery, analysis, interpretation and reporting of evidence in a range of contexts.

The module has been designed to give you a wider understanding of the criminal justice system, the way the police conduct a criminal investigation, the standards to which they adhere, and the entire evidential process. It will emphasise aspects of policing and investigation that are fundamental to future employability in this sector.

The aim of the module is to provide you with skills that will allow you to manage, plan and evaluate research as well as analyse data and interpret results. It will also give insight into some of the legal and ethical issues surrounding such work.

This module gives you the opportunity to develop your existing forensic knowledge, allowing you to broaden your understanding of the role of forensic evidence in an investigation by examining a variety of evidence types. The module will focus on specific case studies, where you'll explore how evidence was recovered, tested, analysed and interpreted, and the potential impact it had on the criminal investigation.

The main aim of this module is to provide you with a thorough understanding of the principles of classical and molecular genetics. You'll be introduced to current genetic methodology used in forensic science, providing fundamental knowledge needed for the third-year forensic genetics module.

This module aims to provide you with a thorough understanding of the basic principles and applications of chemical analysis within forensic science. The module will build on your basic chemical knowledge, applying principles and theories covered in the first year to forensic investigation.

The module explores archaeological and forensic aspects of human remains recovery. You'll learn about human anatomy and skeletal biology. You'll identify physical characteristics, age, race, and sex of human skeletons. The module also examines injuries, pathology, and causes of death.

This module is delivered from the perspective of the forensic science Reporting Officer. You'll learn the roles and responsibilities of the RO working within the UK forensic marketplace. You'll learn the fundamentals of interpretation of forensic science findings, considering the various modes of working of the RO and focusing on real casework examples involving a range of evidence types.

The purpose of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to develop your independent research and evaluation skills as well as have you present the research in the form of a scientific report to develop your written communication skills.

You'll be introduced to the decomposition process, factors influencing this process and consequent determination of the time since death. You'll gain an understanding of the role of insects in the decomposition process as well as an understanding of concepts relevant to forensic entomology. Understand the role of other agents of taphonomic change and of death management and relevant medico-legal processes. As well as be introduced to the concepts of experimental taphonomy.

The module will introduce you to Forensic Toxicology and enable you to investigate topics in forensic chemistry to greater depth so gaining knowledge and expertise of how chemistry is applied in forensic science. It is designed to introduce core concepts of disposition and metabolism of toxic compounds before setting the work in the context of current legislation and providing in-depth case studies to show the theory and practice. 

The principle aim of this module is to provide you with an insight into individual variation and its interpretation in the forensic context.

During this module you'll build on your knowledge of human skeletal anatomy, introducing key forensic aspects of the mechanical properties of bone and post-mortem bone modification. The module will aim to address issues of scientific taphonomic investigation outside the areas of post-mortem interval estimation and decomposition studies. Laboratory and field based exercises will allow you to put these theoretical concepts into practice with the emphasis on problem solving, applied practical skills and evaluative writing.

This module will further aim to upskill your computer and web-based search skills to a level considered to meet the demands of academic level 6. These learnt skills will be put to the test when you demonstrate your computer and investigative skills in a practical computer / web-based examination.