The module makes use of both lecture material and practical exposure to deliver its material. Activities will be listed in the module handbook. Each activity will contain notes relating to the specific learning task. Powerpoint presentations will be available as lecture notes. A variety of text and web sources will be used depending on the area being studied. There is no single text that can cover the breadth of information required

Forensic Genetics and DNA-profiling: Basic genetics ( classical, molecular and population) relevant to forensics - patterns of inheritance (nuclear and cytoplasmic), alleles and polymorphisms . Detection of polymorphisms, genes in populations. Genetic material and its isolation from diverse sources. The practical content includes some basic techniques of molecular biology related to DNA analysis and genotyping; including purification and gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids, hybridisation technology and the polymerase chain reaction. What information can be gleaned from genetic data? Lectures will give the scientific background to the techniques, an overview of the typing systems used (STR typing, mitochondrial sequencing and the developing SNP analysis), when certain systems are applied rather than other ones, the significance and interpretation of the results, DNA profiling databases, quality control and regulation. Laboratory sessions will give practical experience of the procedures from collection of samples to interpretation of results.
Forensic Biology: The wide scope of this area includes; the investigation of crimes against the person (such as murder, rape and other sexual offences, assault), endangered species and paternity. In addition you will specifically focus on biological evidence at crime scenes; blood stain pattern analysis; visualising body fluid stains; collection and handling of biological evidential samples; clothing examination; presumptive testing for body fluids; extraction of body fluid stains; microscopy of spermatozoa; hair analysis; conventional blood grouping; determination of species of origin. Applications of microscopy to other biological evidential material. Basic forensic entomology. An introduction to the basic concepts in ante-mortem and post-mortem pathologies using appropriate examples. Professional aspects including hypothesis forming and testing, quality assurance and accreditation, proper documentation, presenting investigations to courts of law.

Module handbook, appropriately equipped and resourced laboratory and lecture room, access to appropriately stocked library and electronic information sources.
Blackboard VLE

Students will be required to complete 4 pieces of summative assessment.
CW: (40%) This report will be used to show understanding of the concepts and application of techniques from the biological sciences that are used in forensic investigation, based on the first half of the module (Outcomes 1-3, 5, 6)

Practical Report: (25%) Group (3-4 members) report will address the practical exercises in the area of DNA-Profiling. Equivalent to ~ 1500 words (Outcomes 5, 6)

Time constrained in class tests (25%). These will address the knowledge and understanding of the theory related to DNA-profiling and genetics. Two tests of ~ 45 minutes. (Outcomes 1-3)

Case Study: (10%) This case study will allow students to explore aspects of forensic pathology within a forensic science environment. (Outcomes 4, 5)

Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via thorough interaction in the practical and tutorial sessions.

Currently there is no one single textbook that supports the whole of this module. Specialist texts and journal articles can be accessed via the WWW as well as local Library support services.
Suggested texts:
Jackson and Jackson - Forensic Science, Pearson Education
Peter White - Crime Scene to Court, Royal Society of Chemistry

Progress to level 2 of a forensic award