Welcome to your Digital Forensic Investigation course

Hello, and welcome! We’re excited to meet you on the MSc Digital Forensic Investigation course that you are soon to start at the University of Staffordshire. This webpage covers key information that you will find useful before starting your journey into investigating the digital world of crime with us in September.

Course delivery

You will be taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials, supported by practical sessions at the Mellor computer suites, including the Cyber Lab, in addition to the forensic simulation suite, mock courtroom and Science Centre labs. You’ll have access to industry standard digital forensic tools, such as EnCase, Cellebrite, ADF and Amped5.

The session lengths vary, with modules with a large amount of practical work typically having longer sessions, while those more theory based having shorter. In addition, you will have meetings with your academic mentor at least three times a year (in October, February, and June) and drop-in sessions will be held throughout the academic year to ensure you get the support you need to succeed.

Your course will provide you with opportunities to engage with formative assessments. These will help us to gauge your understanding of your subject and it allows us to give you feedback before you complete your summative (graded) assessments.

Each module comprises a range of summative assessments, including coursework assessments, practical portfolio work, reports presentations, exams, a courtroom exercise, and independent research project. The grades from summative assessments count towards your module mark, and ultimately to your degree classification.

Your course is accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

Semester one activities

In semester 1 you will be building your understanding of digital forensics and it’s purpose within the criminal justice system. This includes the following modules:

Digital Forensics

During the first semester of this module, you will learn how to document and seize digital devices from a crime scene, biohazard handling and cleaning processes, before developing your fundamental technical knowledge in preparation for the recovery of data from mobile devices.

Law, Policy and Practice of Digital Evidence

This module will teach a variety of quality standards, regulation and frameworks which Digital Forensics operates within. This includes ISO17025 and victim privacy considerations which are crucial elements of modern investigations.

Statistical Approaches to Forensics

Master the art of critical engagement with literature and design impactful, publishable studies using both quantitative and qualitative data methods. Gain expertise in R, advanced statistical techniques, and qualitative analysis tools like Nvivo, all tailored to your field.

Independent Research Project

In Welcome Week you will be required to attend a module induction which will provide key information about the module and assessments. There will also be several academic skills sessions, including academic writing and searching for information.

Pre-Learning

Prepare for a Strong Start to Your MSc

To help you build a solid foundation before the course begins, we’ve curated optional pre-course materials you can work through at your own pace. Engaging with these now can ease your transition into postgraduate study and enhance your learning experience -though full support will be provided regardless of your starting point.

Why Pre-Course Preparation Helps

We recognise that MSc students come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. These materials offer:

Time to consolidate key concepts before the course intensifies
Targeted learning-focus on areas where you need reinforcement
Reducing pressure on you during term time, so we can focus on deeper learning and practical forensic skills.

Recommended Pre-Course Resources

To help you get started, here are some excellent free courses that cover the foundational knowledge for digital forensic investigation. The length of these courses varies and is stated on each relevant webpage, so do keep these in mind if planning. The courses have been split into ‘Computing’, and ‘Forensics’ to better direct you to the areas of your knowledge you feel would benefit most.

Computing

For these courses you will ned to register for free with our partner, Ciscoo Networking Academy: Cisco Networking Academy: Learn Cybersecurity, Python & More

If you have limited computing knowledge, we recommend you start here:

Computer Hardware Basics | Free Course on Components - Learn about the core components of computers.
Operating Systems Basics Course: Computer & Mobile Devices - Understand the essentials of how operating systems work.
Free Computer Networking Course by Cisco: Start Learning Now - Grasp the basics of networks and how devices communicate.
Introduction to Cybersecurity by Cisco: Free Online Course – Learn about fundamental cybersecurity

These Computing courses are more advanced, but may also be useful:

Networking Devices and Initial Configuration | Free Course- Explore network devices and their setup.
Free Python Course by Cisco: No Prior Experience Necessary!- Gain basic coding skills. Coding is not part of the taught course, but may be useful within projects.

Forensics

These are a general selection of fundamental Forensic related content to consider from a variety of providers:

Digital forensics | OpenLearn - Open University – An introduction to the area.
Forensic Science Simplified | Free Online Course | Alison – Explains a variety of forensic science techniques and principles; which may not all be used on the course but provide a holistic view of forensics.
Introduction to the Rule of Law - Online Course - FutureLearn – Understand the UK Criminal Justice System with this course. Please note, for this course you can access it through the ‘Free’ account type when registering – please do not use a payment option.
Forensic science and fingerprints | OpenLearn - Open University – An introduction to the use of finger prints, which while not specifically digital, will help assist understand the intersectionality of forensic disciplines and also contains forensic terminology and processes which may be of use.

These courses collectively require about 2 weeks of study, and they will prepare you to dive deeper into the forensic-specific content once your MSc starts. You don’t have to do them all either; they all have individual merit.

Next Steps

Take your time exploring these materials - there’s no rush, and they are entirely optional. Our goal is to ensure you feel confident and equipped to tackle the course content, making your learning experience both rewarding and enjoyable. If you’re looking for a timeline for when to have completed your pre-course learning, we recommend by the end of September.

If you have questions about which areas to focus on, need guidance on the resources or wish for a greater challenge, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

We’re thrilled to have you join us and look forward to helping you develop your skills to become a skilled digital forensic investigator.

It may also be useful to read up on accrediting body, The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences: https://www.csofs.org/ , to understand their place within forensics.

Equipment and software

As part of this course, you will be required to use statistical software (including SPSS and NVivo). These can be downloaded from the University website.

Click Here

Trips and activities

We hold an official partnership with Staffordshire Police. This provides the potential for guest lectures on modules from operational police staff and officers, extracurricular talks and tours of Staffordshire Police Forensics Department.

Occupational health

This course may contain content which relates to distressing material such as Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), murder, suicide, MISPER (Missing Person) and other crimes. Please note, no content of an illegal nature is displayed however the underlaying themes may form part of discussion. All taught session will include appropriate content warnings so that you may manage your exposure to these topics. It is strongly recommended that the University Wellbeing services are utilised if you feel affected by any material encountered.

Meet the team

Adam Newberry

Senior Lecturer

Adam, is the Course Leader for MSc Digital Forensic Investigation, specialising in Digital Forensics and Forensic Quality Standards. Adam worked in UK policing, performing a variety of operational digital investigations for several years.

Dr Kirsty Squires

Associate Professor

Kirsty is an Associate Professor of Bioarchaeology and MSc Forensic Science course leader.

Kirsty's profile

What to expect on Welcome Week

We're so excited for you to join us on campus and to welcome you to where you matter. During your welcome week you'll be able to meet our friendly student services teams, connect with new friends, join societies, explore on-campus venues attend club nights and much more.

We look forward to welcoming you in September.

If you have any questions, please send them to your Course Leader: Adam Newberry, adam.newberry@staffs.ac.uk