The Forensic Science Department offers a variety of modules that students outside of the department can opt for in order to learn more about the area of forensic science. These modules are listed below, as are the semesters in which the modules are run.

LEVEL ONE ELECTIVE MODULES

SHS82104-1: Crime Scene Investigation
Dr Dave Rogers and Mr Hilton Middleton (15 Credits)
Semester One or Semester Two

In this module the roles and duties of the forensic scientist and scenes-of-crime officer are outlined, in relation to criminal investigations proceeding from the scene-of-crime to the forensic laboratory to the courtroom. The vitally important issues of quality control and continuity of evidence will be introduced and an overview is given of the different types of chemical, biological and physical evidence used in forensic science. The practical considerations of the preservation of the crime scene, as well as the recovery, packaging, labelling and preservation of evidence are covered, as is the organisation of scientific support services in England and Wales. Throughout the course, case studies are used to illustrate the collection of evidence from various crime scenes.

 

LEVEL TWO ELECTIVE MODULES

SHS82202-2: Forensic Science: Methods of Crime Detection
Dr Andrew Jackson, Dr Andy Platt and Miss Sarah Fieldhouse (15 Credits)
Semester One

This module examines the individuality of fingerprints, the methods of classification and comparison as well as the basic principles of visualisation, enhancement and recovery of fingerprints at the crime scene. Also covered is the impressions made by footwear, bare feet, ears, etc, along with their usefulness discussed in relation to solving crimes. The forensic examination of hairs and fibres, principally by microscopic, spectroscopic and chemical analyses, is introduced and its relevance to solving crimes is discussed. Analysis of paints and glass is also covered. An introduction is given to the analysis of questioned documents, including examination of paper, writing implements and inks, banknotes, credit cards, cheques and wills, typewritten, printed and photocopied documents, handwritten and indented writing, fingerprint and DNA traces. The handling of questioned documents and the techniques for destructive and non-destructive testing is also discussed.

SHS82205-2: Drugs of Abuse
Dr Mark Tonge (15 Credits)
Semester Two

This module examines the increasingly important role of forensic science in the investigation of drugs and drug-related crime. The module begins with a brief overview of drug-related crime in the UK and current legislation relating to drugs and alcohol. The major classes of controlled drugs, including cannabis, heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines, amphetamines and ecstasy, are discussed in terms of their origin, chemical composition, and their physiological and psychological effects. The methods employed by clandestine laboratories in the illegal synthesis, extraction and processing of illicit drugs are outlined , with particular emphasis on crime scene processing issues.Also discussed is the detection, identification and quantification of drugs, by physical inspection, chemical spot tests, thin layer chromatography and instrumental analytical techniques. The relevance of alcohol to the Road Traffic Act is discussed, as well as the absorption, distribution and elimination of alcohol from the body, and its physiological and psychological effects. Methods of alcohol determination in the breath, urine and blood, for both in-the-field screening and laboratory confirmation are discussed, along with calculations of blood-alcohol levels from knowledge of body mass indices and elimination rates. A brief introduction is given to the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport, and the incidence of drug abuse in the workplace. The requirements of screening tests for such drugs is discussed, including the need for ultra-high sensitivity of detection, requiring state-of-the-art analytical techniques and rigorous quality control measures to preserve the integrity of samples and avoid contamination.

 

LEVEL THREE ELECTIVE MODULES

SHS82302-3: Forensic Science: Firearms, Fires and Explosions
Dr Andrew Jackson, Miss Laura Walton and Miss Claire Gwinnett (15 Credits)
Semester One

In this module the classes of firearms, their loading and firing mechanisms and their calibre and cartridges are outlined. There is also an introduction to the methods of forensic examination of firearms, spent cartridges and discharge residues. The basic principles of fires, their spread and investigation, and the principal methods of detection and analysis of fire accelerant's and incendiary devices is discussed. This module also examines the different classes of explosives, the types of detonators, the safe collection and examination of evidence from scenes of explosions and the investigation of post-explosion scenes. All aspects of this module is illustrated by detailed case studies.

SHS82306-3: Practical Methods of Crime Detection
Miss Sarah Fieldhouse and Miss Jodie Stuart (15 Credits)
Semester Two

This module allows the students to utilise equipment commonly used in the analysis of forensic evidence, by taking part in a series of practical exercises as specified below.

Fingerprints: taking, dusting, enhancing and digitisation of fingerprints.
Foot and Footwear Prints: casting, electrostatic lifting and influence of type of movement.
Document Analysis: use of ESDA to reveal indented writing to order pages in a report, who and with which pen was a threatening note written (use of RAMAN and VSC).
Analysis of Hairs and Fibres: use of different microscopes, including FTIR-microscope.
Analysis of Paint Flakes and Gunshot Residues by SEM( Scanning Electron Microscopy).
Analysis of Glass Fragments: determination of refrective index and analysis of shatter patterns.
Analysis of Drugs and Fire Accelerants using Gas Chromatography.
Analysis of Drugs using HPLC.