Crime Scene Science BSc (Hons)

Gain basic knowledge of human anatomy and an understanding of the mechanisms associated with control and regulation of the physiological processes of the major organ system. Homeostasis is the key theme throughout the module, as you explore interrelationships between human functions and the organisational hierarchy to develop and increase your understanding of how the body functions. You also study the construction of biological profiles for human identification including sex, age at death, stature determination and biological affinity. This knowledge is used in the context of identification and recovery of human remains, the regulatory aspect of handing human remains and ethical issues related to human tissue research.

This is a 20-credit module.

You are introduced to the key skills and theoretical background required of a forensic and crime scene science photographer. Using industry-standard digital photographic equipment, you develop your photography and imaging skills and understand how these are applied in a crime scene setting.

This is a 20-credit module.

Develop the skills necessary to work as a member of an investigative team. Explore the range of encounters you are likely to face at a crime scene and learn how to deal with these. You focus on trace evidence knowledge and the skills required to maximise forensic evidence recovery at an incident.

This is a 20-credit module.

Gain the essential legal knowledge and skills you need to be a forensic investigator. Through research and case studies, you develop an understanding of the role of courts and relevant investigatory legislation in the UK, as well as how forensic examinations contribute to the criminal justice process.

This is a 20-credit module.

Understand the fundamental concepts of forensic science, theoretically and practically. A range of chemical and biological forensic evidence types are introduced and their recovery and examination in the forensic laboratory considered. You also examine how these evidence types are presented in an investigative environment.

This is a 20-credit module.

As part of a wider digital investigation, you identify and examine potential sources of intelligence. You explore where these sources might be located, their structure, contents and value to an investigation as well as surrounding legal and ethical implications involved in using this information. Relevant approaches to examining and interpreting intelligence sources are identified and discussed, alongside references to real-world scenarios.

This is a 20-credit module.

Bioarchaeology focuses on the analysis of biological remains from archaeological sites to understand the life experiences of these people. Incorporating skeletal anatomy, osteology, archaeology, and anthropology, you explore the process of identifying, recovering, and analysing human remains.

This is a 20-credit module.

You are introduced to a range of evidence types, how to locate, preserve and recover them and their significance in the context of an investigation. Working to professional standards, you explore scene attendance protocols and develop practical skills in photography and fingerprint examination. Practise the recovery of physical evidence and develop the skills to analyse, interpret and evaluate this evidence.

This is a 20-credit module.

Trends and predictive analytics are at the forefront of new crime reduction strategies. Front line officers, crime scene investigators and the public play a part in finding patterns in offending behaviour as well as helping us to understand the environments these crimes occur in. Debate these tools and discuss why enforcement agencies have pushed forward in their drive to acquire bigger and better data. Apply environmental crime theoretical frameworks to real world problems and engage with software to study crime pattern analysis.

This is a 20-credit module.

Examine analytical techniques used in forensic investigations for a wide range of evidence types, including paint, blood, drugs and bones. Explore how they are analysed using analytical instrumentation such as gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and spectroscopy. Learn how to interpret data and use statistical analysis to give valid conclusions. Lectures and integrated seminars support both the analysis of the scientific literature and problem-solving. You analyse, interpret and evaluate laboratory data.

You examine major serious incidents that require special arrangements to be implemented by one or more emergency response agencies. You consider how these responses impact on the investigative process and how the role of the various agencies and experts impact on progressing an inquiry. Through practical sessions, you learn to generate evidence and implement responses to major incidents, which form part of a linked series in a complex investigation. Your work is recorded on industry-standard software, highlighting an overview of the inquiry, and displaying the scene and forensic evidence.

This is a 20-credit module.

Explore the role of an expert witness in legal proceedings in the UK, from handling evidence and writing scientific statements, to being an effective witness in the courtroom. Through professional practice, you learn about codes of conduct, quality standards and accreditation as you gain the key information and skills you need for a career in forensic practice. You also explore the legal framework, including aspects of UK and international law.

This is a 20-credit module.

You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting and networking.

You gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.

Many employers view a placement as a year-long interview, therefore placements are increasingly becoming an essential part of an organisation's pre-selection strategy in their graduate recruitment process. Benefits include:

· improved job prospects
· enhanced employment skills and improved career progression opportunities
· a higher starting salary than your full-time counterparts
· a better degree classification
· a richer CV
· a year's salary before completing your degree
· experience of workplace culture
· the opportunity to design and base your final-year project within a working environment.

If you are unable to secure a work placement with an employer, then you simply continue on a course without the work placement.

You consider how to produce business intelligence in an investigative area. Develop your detailed knowledge of the principles of intelligence production including using specialised software.

This is a 20-credit module.

You explore and critically analyse the techniques and technologies used to identify unknown individuals, either dead or alive. Consider emerging and established technologies in human identification and the forensic recording of scenes and exhibits in 2D and 3D. Focus on the impact of emerging technology on operational practice, as well as evaluating emerging and traditional techniques and their ethical considerations. Use various digital devices, 2D, and 3D imaging equipment within a lab and scene environment to develop the skills required to collect and process data suitable to present in a forensic context.

This is a 20-credit module.

Tackling criminality begins by establishing and researching the causes, drivers and facilitators of crime. Examine the role intelligence plays in policing, from generating tasks for an inquiry to converting intelligence and evidence before the courts. Immerse yourself in analysing intelligence, grading its value and creating a series of hypotheses to test the development of a problem profile.

Working through open source datasets, you are introduced to writing scripts in Python or R to format dataframes, carry out statistical analysis before visualising data to help uncover meaning. IT lab exercises examine the techniques used to measure and monitor crime.

This is a 20-credit module.

You complete an in-depth, independent investigation into a specialist aspect of your field of study. You bring together a range of practical and academic skills developed in previous study, including analysing and critically evaluating data and a critical reflection on the potential risks, and moral and ethical issues. You are supported by a research supervisor who helps you develop and complete your research project.

This is a 40-credit module.

Enforcement agencies have an increasingly multidisciplinary approach to real-world scenarios. You work with students from associated disciplines to reflect on the full investigative process, from gathering evidence to submitting prosecution reports and appearing in court as a witness.

As part of a team, you contribute to the investigation of a complex crime, using appropriate professional techniques and industry-standard competencies to gather and retain physical and electronic evidence, obtain and analyse forensic samples, inspect premises, take statements and interview witnesses. You produce a final report that would successfully gain a conviction under the relevant legislation.

This is a 20-credit module.