INDICATIVE CONTENT:

Forensic science in its broadest definition is any science used for the purpose of the law, and it is therefore a subject of enormous breadth and complexity that involves aspects of all scientific disciplines. The module aims to introduce forensic science and crime scene investigation, and to define their place within the criminal justice system in the resolution of legal disputes, with the emphasis on criminal applications.

The module begins with a discussion of the various definitions and public perceptions of forensic science, a review of the historical development of forensic science, and overview of the current structure and function of forensic science and police scientific support services in the UK.

The roles of the FOA and SOCO at the crime scene will be discussed, along with the fundamental principles of crime scene investigation and the importance of continuity of evidence, and an introduction to crime scene processing - protecting and documenting the scene, search, recovery, packaging and labelling of physical evidence. Crime scene management issues, and complexities such as multiple linked scenes, will be discussed, along with specialist types of crime scenes, such as fire and bomb scenes and clandestine laboratories.

An overview will be given of the types of physical evidence submitted for forensic analysis, the analytical techniques used to examine them, and the types of information that this can reveal. The important issues of laboratory quality control and quality assurance will be discussed in context.

The use of forensic evidence in serious crime investigation will be discussed, including the structure and function of the incident room and the HOLMES computer system, and corroborative versus intelligence-led approaches to forensic investigations.

A brief introduction will be given to the legal system and the courts of law in the UK, the course of a criminal trial, and the use of forensic evidence in court, will be outlined. The different roles of the scientist appointed by the prosecution and defence will be discussed, along with the scientist?s written report and the role of the expert witness.

A series of case studies will be presented, including some delivered by external speakers, to illustrate key concepts introduced in earlier lectures.

THESE LEARNING STRATEGIES WILL OCCUPY YOUR TIME:

36 hours of lecture-tutorial sessions will provide for the delivery of the core material. 4 hours of laboratory practical sessions will illustrate a range of important forensic laboratory techniques, and wider issues such as continuity and quality control.

260 hours of independent study, mainly through tutor-guided background reading of lecture handouts, textbooks and web pages, will help to consolidate the core material and broaden your understanding. Tutorial sessions, including short tests and case studies, will facilitate formative self-assessment.

Outcomes 1 to 6: 2-hour written examination (70%)

Outcomes 4 to 7: Coursework assignment incorporating a reflective log of learning achievements and evaluation of data from practical sessions (30%)


Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via in-class quizzes and examination of case-studies.

YOU WILL NEED ACCESS TO THESE RESOURCES:

Module handbook, standard lecture room facilities, access to library and to computers with www and distributed learning access, and to standard forensic laboratory facilities.

AND REFER TO THESE TEXTS, TITLE, AUTHOR, PAGES:

? Forensic Science, ARW Jackson and JM Jackson, Pearson, 2004.
? Crime Scene to Court: The Essentials of Forensic Science, P White, ed, Royal Society of Chemistry, 1998.
? Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation, 6th Edn, BAJ Fisher, CRC Press, 2000.

YOU MUST SATISFY THESE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Entry to level 1 of a forensic award