Forensic Sciences and Policing - Staffordshire University

Study a range of scientific techniques and criminal investigation to help provide answers to the questions of law. Whether your interest lies in DNA profiling or building a criminal case, we have a course for you.

Do you have what it takes to make a difference in the world of forensic investigation? In our wide selection of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, you'll learn the skills and knowledge to do just that.

Specialist facilities will be yours to use and you’ll learn from experienced former senior police officers, academic experts, and forensic caseworkers. Our Crime Scene House, analytical laboratories, and specialist rooms all mirror your future workplace. So, you can study anything from decomposition to ballistics, and you'll be practising as you will in real life.

You'll also have the option to study with a year in industry. You can study abroad in the Netherlands, USA or Canada, and our unique Staffordshire Police partnership gives you the chance to work in forensics. Here, you'll attend crime scenes, process evidence and carry out impactful research.

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Blog

School of Law, Policing and Forensics

Read the latest blog from the different areas of the School.

Courses

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

Forensic Investigation

BSc (Hons)
MSci

Full-time
Full-time, with a placement year

Forensic Science

BSc (Hons)
MSci

Full-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus
Full-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus, with a placement year
Full-time, Stoke-on-Trent College, with a foundation year
Part-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus

Policing and Criminal Investigation

BSc (Hons)
MSci

Full-time
Full-time, with a placement year
Part-time

Professional Policing

BSc (Hons)

Full-time
Part-time

Undergraduate Open Day

Sunday 09 June 2019

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Open days give you the best experience and insight to courses, people and facilities that interest you. Make your choice easier and come meet us.

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Taught courses

Advanced Forensic Practice (Custody Health Professional)

MSc
PgCert
PgDip

Part-time, blended learning

Advanced Forensic Practice (Sexual Assault and Custody Health Professional)

MSc
PgDip

Part-time, blended learning

Advanced Forensic Practice (Sexual Assault Health Professional)

MSc
PgCert
PgDip

Part-time, blended learning

Applied Research

MA
MSc

Full-time, blended learning
Part-time, blended learning

Digital Forensic Investigation

MSc

Full-time
Part-time

Forensic Science

MSc

Full-time, blended learning
Part-time, blended learning

Facilities

Crime Scene House

We have a dedicated Crime Scene House fitted with CCTV and two-way audio which gives the option for both internal and external crime scenes, so you can hone your investigative and crime scene examination skills.

Forensics/Biometrics

Our Forensic and Security lab contains dual screen PCs bound within a dedicated and isolated network. Our own in-house developed virtual machines and environment completes the Forensic Computing and Cyber Security Laboratory.

Science Centre

Our £30 million Science Centre in Stoke-on-Trent contains specialist laboratories with the latest state-of-the-art equipment.

Specialist Labs

Our specifically designed Science Centre includes specialist laboratories, interview suites, and dedicated specialist equipment.

Software Development

You'll have access to development environments for desktop, mobile and enterprise applications. Plus access to our iMac lab for iPhone and iPad development and a variety of mobile devices for testing.

Networking

We have three fully equipped Cisco labs with around 340 devices, plus a Juniper set-up which can be incorporated into courses.

Nature Reserve

Owned and managed by the University, the Reserve is bordered to the north by the River Trent and to the South by an area of grassland used for teaching and research.

Work experience and careers

Work experience

Careers

Whatever you choose to study at Staffordshire University you will have the opportunity of a work-placement, where you’ll gain experience and connections to give you an edge in your future career.

This work experience may link to your course, or it could be in a broader field. Alongside your studies, it will give you the best possible mix of knowledge and practical understanding.

On our undergraduate and postgraduate courses you can opt to take a placement year. You’re also be able to collaborate on research projects with organisations in the criminal justice system. These include police forces, forensic nurses, professional bodies, forensic investigation units and laboratories.

Subject-related opportunities to enhance your experience and skillset are also available. For example you could join our FaCS Student Society, learn more about forensic archaeology on a dedicated module, undertake a placement with Staffordshire or Derbyshire Police Forensic Units, or apply for an international exchange experience in the Netherlands.

Work experience opportunities

We have a unique partnership with Staffordshire Police giving you the opportunity to work in real-world forensics by attending crime scenes, processing evidence and/or carrying out impactful research and development.

This partnership is about challenging current knowledge and practice. Through it, you'll have the chance to take a placement and/or work on research projects with the Police. The outcomes of your work could affect a real change within the community in which you work and study.

Our forensic and crime science courses are the ideal preparation for a career in a number of roles.

These include; crime scene investigation, forensic labs, technical management, consultancy, or research and development.

You can do work experience in prisons, forensic organisations, or police forces. This added experience ensures you graduate with an edge over the competition. It could also be your first step to employment with your placement organisation.

Employment opportunities

Our courses are designed to lead to employment in the following sectors:

Policing
Prison Service
Health Service
Analytical Chemistry
Loss Adjustment
Research
Consultancy
Technical Management
Crime Scene Investigation
Toxicology
Education
Science writing

Our students

Kayleigh Sheppard
Forensic Investigation graduate

The specialist crime scene house facility made the whole experience more realistic and allowed me to put my forensic science knowledge into practice in a simulated crime scene.

Tina Varley
BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation

The practical side of the degree is fantastic, giving you the opportunity to attend mock crime scenes. Staffordshire University introduced me to a research project scheme and, combined with my own determination, I was offered a temporary role in that organisation, where I have since been successful in a permanent position.

Louise Walker
Forensic Science Scenes of Crime Officer

The course has given me the knowledge and skills to collect evidence on a crime scene - skills I now use in my job. Without help from the University I wouldn't be where I am now. It's pretty much my dream job.

Nadine Jones
Forensic Investigation Graduate

Studying Forensic Investigation at Staffs gave me back my confidence and opened so many doors.

The combined knowledge of the staff as well as the opportunities for hands on learning in the labs and the crime scene house gave me the foundations to begin my dream career.

Our staff

Kevin Reiling Course Leader

Kevin’s research explores the environmental impacts of aerial pollutants and toxic metals. He is also interested in the public understanding of science.

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Dean NorthfieldCourse Leader - Forensic Investigation

I am a practitioner who has worked for West Yorkshire Police as a VIPER Officer (2 Years) then an Imaging Officer (6 years) eventually progressing to Senior Imaging Officer. Finishing my time within the West Yorkshire Police’s Forensic Multimedia Unit.

I began working part time for the university in 2011 then eventually leaving the Police and joining the University as a lecturer and HEIF project lead in 2012.

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Ian AckerleyCourse Leader – Policing and Criminal Investigation

I am a former police officer and served for over 34 years as an officer both in Staffordshire Police and Nottinghamshire Police. I reached the rank of Assistant Chief Constable and served at this level with both forces as well as the Home Office. The bulk of my service was spent serving the communities of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

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Dr Jodie DunnettCourse Leader – Forensic Science

I have been a lecturer in Forensic Science at Staffordshire University since 2007 although I have been involved with research and teaching in this area since 2003. I am actively involved in forensic science research my area of expertise is forensic chemistry, particularly drug analysis and profiling.

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Dr Lauren MetcalfeCourse leader

I completed my undergraduate degree in Police and Criminal Investigation at the University of Central Lancashire. I continued studying and completed a masters in Criminal Investigation, then a Ph.D in Evidence Based Policing.Following my studies, I was employed as a researcher; involved in Policing research projects, collaborating with Police Forces and their partner agencies. I was also seconded to Lancashire Constabulary’s Evidence Based Policing team. I moved to Staffordshire University in 2017 and became course leader for the Professional Policing degree in 2018.

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School of Law, Policing and Forensics

Connect with us

Courses

Forensic Investigation

Forensic Science

Policing and Criminal Investigation

Professional Policing

Undergraduate Open Day

Facilities

Crime Scene House

Forensics/Biometrics

Science Centre

Specialist Labs

Software Development

Networking

Nature Reserve

Work experience and careers

Work experience opportunities

Staffordshire University Forensics:

Our students

Our staff