1. DEMONSTRATE A KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE APPLICATION AND OPERATION OF CURRENT ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES AND GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE WITH AN EMPHASIS ON FORENSIC INVESTIGATION.
(Application, Knowledge & Understanding, Learning)

2. WORK EFFECTIVELY AS PART OF A TEAM, MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS TO GROUP WORK DURING LABORATORY AN D TUTORIAL SESSIONS.
(Communication, Knowledge & Understanding, Learning)

3. COMMUNICATE KNOWLEDGE IN THE FORM OF WRITTEN REPORTS, APPROPRIATELY INTERPRET ANALYSIS RESULTS, SHOWING UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR SIGNIFICANCE AND THE UNDERPINNING THEORY.
(Analysis, Application, Communication, Enquiry, Problem Solving)

4. REFLECT ON THE LEARNING PROCESS.
(Reflection)

5. DEMONSTRATE AND UNDERSTANDING OF MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS AND THEIR APPLICATION TO SOLVING PROBLEMS.
(Problem Solving, Knowledge & Understanding, Learning)

In this module students will study many of the scientific analytical techniques used in criminal investigation. Case studies will be used to explain how scientific evidence has influenced outcomes of judicial procedures. Practical methods of evidence recovery and the theory underpinning analytical techniques are introduced through lectures and tutorials. Topics covered may include recovery of trace evidence, microscopy, presumptive testing, sample preparation, chromatographic and spectroscopic methods of chemical analysis. An element of maths will be incorporated into most of these activities.

Practical sessions provide the students with "hands on" experience, to support the theoretical principles of the techniques. Laboratory notebooks will be utilised to record information and data. Group work during practical sessions aims to develop interpersonal skills that become increasingly valuable through their degree and later for employment. The production of individual written laboratory reports allows the students the opportunity to interpret and process data derived from routine forensic analysis. To support the mathematical skills and learning outcomes a number of mathematical topics will be incorporated into the taught material including algebra, equation of a straight line, standard deviation, statistical terminology.

Interactive lectures (7 x 2h in Semester 1) will explain scientific concepts and instrumental techniques.
Laboratory exercises (4 x 3h in Semester 1) will be run in small groups. Further support will be by means of tutorial sessions to encourage utilisation of the skills in handling, manipulation and interpretation of data (4 x 1h in Semester1).

The remaining 120 hours will involve directed reading, revision and production of laboratory reports. Non-contact independent study will involve preparation and production of laboratory reports and background reading to support understanding of the theory.

Split group mathematics tutorials (5 x 1h) will be used to support the mathematical material in Semester 1. There will be an initial revision session (1 x 2 h) diagnostic test (1x1h) post diagnostic session.

White, P. (ed.) (2010) Crime scene to court 3rd Edition. Royal society of Chemistry.
Jackson, A. and Jackson, J. (2011) Forensic Science 3rd Edition. Pearson and Prentice Hall.

Langford, A., Dean, J., Reed, R., Holmes, D., Weyers, J. And Jones, A. (2010) Practical Skills in Forensic
Science 2nd Edition. Pearson and Prentice Hall.

Rouessac, F. and Rouessac, A. (2007) Chemical Analysis: Modern Instrumentation Methods and Techniques. Wiley.

Girard, J.E. (2015) Criminalistics Forensic Science, Crime, and Terrorism. Jones and Bartlett Learning. (Note this is a very useful American publication so some use of terminology will be different to that used in the UK , with useful case studies and relevant , “easy” to follow theory that relates to aspects of the lectures very well. Copies in Thompson Library and the Science Centre-Learning Resource Centre)


Access to Maths: Sheila Evans, Prentice Hall, (2009)

Appropriately equipped laboratory, and lecture room capacity, equipped with facilities for power point and other visual presentations, OHP and white board.
Blackboard VLE.

Not Applicable

Formative Assessment:
Short tests (2 x 40 min) will be done in weeks 4 and 7 of lectures during Semester 1 to provide reinforcement of application, knowledge and understanding.
Formative feedback will also be provided via tutorials and practical sessions developing knowledge, learning and understanding.
The practical sessions will include a formative reflective summary to be submitted with the Laboratory Report link to reflection.