FSC-30007 - 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 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.

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