This course will allow you to explore your interests in the scientific and forensic investigation of crime whilst at the same time allowing you to explore your interests in the nature, consequences and prevention of criminal behaviour.
This recently accredited course takes you on a journey from crime scene to court, experiencing many traditional and specialist fields of forensic investigation, allowing you become an expert both in the laboratory analysis of evidence using techniques derived from the field of chemistry whilst exploring critical issues in the interdisciplinary field of criminal investigation and criminal behaviour which explores research from a range of scientific and social areas.
The course explores crime scene investigation and the criminal justice sector at introductory levels, followed by analytical and forensic investigations of a wide range of evidence types, leading to you acquiring an ability to provide a full scientific and statistical evaluation of evidence.
You will also study the various relationships between professionals in the criminal justice sector, including how forensic scientists work along with the police forensic team and the wider criminal justice sector to achieve successful prosecutions.
You will gain practical experience in the use of key state-of-the-art instrumentation found in modern forensic analysis laboratories, plus gain a comprehensive training in the protocols involved in crime scene investigation by conducting casework-based experiments and processing simulated scenes in our crime scene house.
The course has a modular structure:
Modules:
Year 1
Introduction to Forensic Science
Introduction to Criminalistics
Understanding Crime, Criminals and Victims
Understanding Criminal Justice
Organic Chemistry
Mathematics Workshop
Key Skills for Chemical and Forensic Scientists
Year 2
Forensic Evidence
Policing
Penology: Prisons and Offender Management
Forensic Imaging
Analytical Chemistry
Spectroscopy
Forensic Earth Science
Year 3
Critical Issues in Criminal Investigation
Comparative Criminology
Forensic Microscopy
Electron Microscopy and X-ray Analysis
Advanced Analytical Chemistry
Fire and Explosion Investigation
Interpretation, Evaluation and Presentation of Evidence and Information (includes case studies, courtroom skills and a literature review)
and normally, one optional module from the field of criminology, which could be “Understanding Homicide” as an example. Choices must be made from the list of modules that form part of the accredited course.
Learning and teaching methods
You will learn through a combination of lectures, discussion based or practical seminars, tutorials and laboratory classes. A typical week involves six lectures, up to eight hours of practical work, and some small group tutorials. Self-directed study also plays a part in each module.