FSC-30005 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This synoptic module will develop each student's ability to carry out the forensic examination and reporting of evidence within the professional context of crime
scene examiner, forensic scientist and expert witness. The focus of much of the module is in acquiring and developing a body of knowledge and a set of skills that
prepare the student for work as a professional forensic scientist.

This synoptic module will develop each student's ability to carry out the forensic examination of a crime scene then analyse and report on the evidence within the professional context. The fundamental role of the crime scene examination within the whole forensic and legal process will be stressed throughout this module. Particular attention will be paid to control, continuity and quality assurance, experimental design, interpretation using statistical tools and databases, report writing and oral presentation. Expert witness training and the development of skills in explaining and defending scientific work to a lay audience are integrated into the reporting aspects of this module.

Intended Learning Outcomes

explain and review critically the fundamental importance of
the crime scene examination to the overall forensic and
subsequent legal process: 1
describe and critically assess the issues around the acquisition of forensic evidence at a crime scene with particular attention to control, continuity, contamination, quality assurance and record-keeping: 1,3
devise and execute appropriate analytical and other methods for the examination of forensic materials, including setting up casework experiments: 2,3
interpret critically data from forensic analysis in a meaningful and structured manner, including the use of statistical tests and databases where appropriate: 2,3
report the results of forensic analysis both as a written report and orally in a form appropriate to a court of law and defend the conclusions under cross-examination: 3,4

Study hours

Taught sessions (Lectures, Laboratory work and crime scene examinations, problem classes) (72h)
Mock court including practice session (2h)
Project work, data analysis and report writing (50h)
Directed study and self-managed learning (176h)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment