Forensic Science

Contemporary Issues In Forensic Science

The content of this module will introduce contemporary issues in forensic science and how to address them through research. The content will consist of academic staff and PhD researchers across the department delivering lectures on their current research, the contemporary issues per research area and how they tackle those issues. In addition, tutorials will be delivered to discuss the delivered content, introduce critique surrounding methods and results obtained by researchers in varied forensic science areas and evaluate opportunities for expansion and development of further work of current research.

Module code: FORE70587

Statistical Approaches To Forensics

Module code: FORE70583

Methods Of Crime Detection

This module will introduce students to the nature and scope of Forensic Science, including providing an overview of the role of forensic science in the investigation of crime, the fundamental principles of the scientific evaluation of evidence and how the provision of forensic services are organised and accredited in the UK. Students will be familiarised with the criminal justice system of England and Wales and the role of the expert witness in this system. This module will provide an introduction to the Bayesian statistical approach to the interpretation of evidence and will require students to understand how to interconvert between probability and odds, and how to construct meaningful likelihood ratios and use these to convert prior odds into posterior odds. Time will also be spent on the common errors of thinking known as the prosecutor's fallacy and the defence attorney's fallacy. Students will be expected and helped to develop the skills required by the expert witness, by gaining experience in writing expert reports and presenting evidence orally in the courtroom environment - including answering questions whilst under cross-examination. This module will address the fundamentals of crime scene processing including providing an overview of how crime scenes are managed with focus on the roles played by scientific support personnel at the crime scene and the recovery, packaging and storage of physical evidence. This module will provide students with knowledge of a variety of evidence types and investigation processes, including but not limited to fibre characterisation, the analysis and comparison of glass and paint, the comparison of tool marks, the analysis of shooting incidents, the basic principles of visualisation and enhancement of latent fingerprints, fingerprint analysis and identification, the examination and interpretation of footwear impressions, the analysis of questioned documents as well as processes involved in vehicle collision investigation, shooting scene reconstruction and the analysis of digital evidence.

Module code: FORE70590

Practical Support

You will develop practical skills in the analysis and interpretation of a wide range of forensic evidence, such as glass, paint, fingermarks, fibres, document, firearms, mobile phone data and vehicle collision data. In practical sessions, you will use real-life forensic instrumentation to analyse mock forensic evidence and study as part of a team in a mock crime scene practical. At the scene, you will work together to photograph and sketch the scene before locating and recovering forensic evidence consistent with the operational work of a forensic investigator.

Module code: FORE70591

Forensic Biology

Gain an understanding of the techniques used in the analysis of biological evidence, including body fluids and DNA analysis. Develop skills in the interpretation of the results obtained in the context of an investigation. Acquire knowledge of specialised techniques. Consider the ethical and moral dilemmas faced by researchers and practitioners, for instance in the duty of the forensic practitioner how they must not withhold, distort or modify any relevant information, misinterpret the available evidence, and attempt to avoid or deny the contrary evidence. Similarly, you will consider concerns around national DNA databases expansion and the breach of personal space.

Module code: FORE70588

Forensic Chemistry

Learn about a range of forensic chemistry (analytical) techniques, their scientific basis and be able to evaluate and compare the appropriateness of each method for the analysis of forensic-related evidence. You will also gain hands on experience of using analytical equipment. This will allow you to develop skills in the use and operation of a wide range of forensic chemistry (analytical) techniques, to obtain reliable and accurate results and undertake meaningful interpretation.

Module code: FORE70589

Independent Research Project

Following a critical appraisal of the current research in a specific area of forensic science, you will devise and carry out an appropriate experimental programme. You will interpret your results making use of initiative and originality of thinking and produce an extensive report, which effectively describes the research carried out and demonstrates a sound understanding of both the practical and theoretical aspects encountered. You are free to choose the subject matter of the project, subject to us being able to support it with academic supervision and equipment.

Module code: FORE70323