The wide scope of forensic biology, including investigation of crimes against the person (such as murder, rape and other sexual offences, assault), endangered species, paternity. Biological evidence at crime scenes. Blood stain pattern analysis. Visualising body fluid stains. Collection and handling of biological evidential samples. Clothing examination. Body fluid stains. Presumptive tests for blood, semen and saliva. Extraction of body fluid stains. Microscopy of spermatozoa. Hair growth, structure and microscopy analysis. Conventional blood grouping. Determination of species of origin. Applications of microscopy to other biological evidential material. Basic forensic entomology. Overview of DNA profiling, its massive impact and huge potential. Professional aspects including hypothesis forming and testing, quality assurance and accreditation, proper documentation, presenting investigations to courts of law. The prominent role of biology in modern forensic science. An introduction to the concepts in ante-mortem and post-mortem pathologies using appropriate examples.

12 hours of workshop and 18 hours of supervised laboratory practical. The workshops may include tutor-led seminars, videos, distributed learning and invited expert speakers. Full review of practical techniques, and data analysis and interpretation will form an integral part of workshops and practicals. There is 120 hours of independent study to include data analysis and interpretation, and reflection on methods being used.

Module handbook
Access to a lecture room with projection equipment for PC-enhanced lectures with suitable blackout.
Access to library, computers and books
Blackboard VLE

Study of SHS82107-1 Biological Principles for Forensic Science or SHS80105-1 Genes & Genomes

Currently there is no one single textbook that supports the whole of this module. An internally produced laboratory manual will give the background theory, method details, and analysis and interpretation.
A number of specialist texts and journal articles in the Thompson Library and Sciences Learning Resources Centre will provide further support and development for independent study in this module.

Students will be required to complete 1 piece of summative assessment.
CW-1: 100%; structured case report write-up of an in-class investigation of mock evidence from a stimulated case;
- investigation to include a variety of biological evidential types and require a range of analysis methods;
- report to include basis and limitations of methods used, properly presented results, sensible and robust interpretations
and clear summary;
- marks awarded for the choice of methods and approach applied, technical rigour and data quality, results analysis and interpretation, knowledge of basis and limitations of tests used, awareness of key issues in forensic investigations, and lucid, straightforward, accurate and appropriate communication of the investigation, its conclusions and any provisos;

Formative guidance will be provided throughout the module, mainly via tutor feedback and discussion with individual students each week during laboratory sessions, especially re results obtained, and their presentation, analysis and interpretation, and also via tutors dealing with specific issues in workshops.