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FSC-30007 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 19 January 2023

FSC-30007 - Evaluation of evidence, explosives and arson
Coordinator: Richard Darton Tel: +44 1782 7 33345
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

This module aims to familiarise students with key topics in forensic explosives and arson and enable them to appreciate the logical interpretation and evaluation of forensic evidence through a variety of taught sessions, scenarios and problem solving exercises.

Aims
This module aims to provide students an insight in to the forensic examination of explosives and fires through an understanding of the fundamental chemical and physical properties as well as an appreciation for the logical interpretation and expression of scientific evidence.

Intended Learning Outcomes

discuss the decomposition products of explosions and classify explosives by type, functional group and class: 2
discuss the analysis of explosives and explosive residues as well as calculate the physical and thermochemical processes occurring in an explosion, combustion and in fires: 2
describe the processes of fire scene investigation and the forensic analysis of fire scene evidence: 2
describe and explain the principles of and be able to critically select and apply appropriate statistical approaches to the logical interpretation of evidence: 1,2
communicate the interpretation of scientific evidence in a manner comprehensible to the intended recipient: 1
discuss the types of materials used in explosive devices and describe and explain the recovery and processing of evidence from a crime scene: 2

Study hours

Taught sessions (24 hours)
Directed and not directed reading (36 hours)
Preparation of assessments (90 hours)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Individual Report weighted 30%
Information leaflet
The production of a short leaflet (approximately 1500 words) intended for lawyers on the issues related the evaluation and presentation of a specific form of scientific evidence to the court.

2: Open Book Examination weighted 70%
Open Book Exam
An open book assessment consisting of a number of problem solving exercises and scenario based questions, with students having 28 hours to complete it. Equivalent to 3500 words.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 19 January 2023