Module Descriptors
FORENSIC SCIENCE: METHODS OF CRIME DETECTION
FORE50233
Key Facts
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences
Level 5
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Claire Gwinnett
Email: C.Gwinnett@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 20
Independent Study Hours: 130
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- CLASS-TEST weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Indicative Content
The individuality of fingerprints will be discussed, along with methods of classification and comparison. The basic principles of visualisation, enhancement and recovery of fingerprints will be outlined. The impressions made by footwear, bare feet, ears, etc, will be discussed and their usefulness discussed in relation to solving crimes. The forensic examination of trace evidence, principally by microscopy, spectroscopic and chemical analysis, will be introduced and its relevance to solving crimes will be discussed. Analysis of questioned documents, including examination of paper, writing implements and inks, banknotes, credit cards, cheques and wills, typewritten, printed and photocopied documents, handwriting and indented writing. The handling of questioned documents and the techniques for destructive and non-destructive testing will be discussed with particular reference to the sequence of examination.
Module Additional Assessment Details
Additional Assessment Information:
The 2 hour class test will cover all the learning outcomes. It will consist of a mixture of short answers and an essay from a choice of questions on the areas of trace evidence, document analysis and fingerprints and other marks.
The 2 hour class test will cover all the learning outcomes. It will consist of a mixture of short answers and an essay from a choice of questions on the areas of trace evidence, document analysis and fingerprints and other marks.
Module Learning Strategies
THESE LEARNING STRATEGIES WILL OCCUPY YOUR TIME:
18 hours of lecture-tutorial sessions will provide for delivery of the core material. Here you will be introduced to the key theoretical principles, and you will also gain an appreciation of how forensic examination can be applied. These sessions will include 1 two hour session on the practical aspects of trace evidence analysis in the first half of the module.
130 hours of independent study, much of which will be tutor-guided background reading, through textbooks, websites, etc, will help to consolidate the core material and broaden your understanding.
18 hours of lecture-tutorial sessions will provide for delivery of the core material. Here you will be introduced to the key theoretical principles, and you will also gain an appreciation of how forensic examination can be applied. These sessions will include 1 two hour session on the practical aspects of trace evidence analysis in the first half of the module.
130 hours of independent study, much of which will be tutor-guided background reading, through textbooks, websites, etc, will help to consolidate the core material and broaden your understanding.
Module Texts
AND REFER TO THESE TEXTS, TITLE, AUTHOR, PAGES:
Forensic Science: Andrew R.W Jackson and Julie M. Jackson, Pearson 2007
Crime Scene to Court: The Essentials of Forensic Science,
P White (ed), Royal Society of Chemistry, 1998
Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science 7th Ed, R.Saferstein, Prentice-Hall, 2001 (earlier editions are suitable)
Forensic Science: Andrew R.W Jackson and Julie M. Jackson, Pearson 2007
Crime Scene to Court: The Essentials of Forensic Science,
P White (ed), Royal Society of Chemistry, 1998
Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science 7th Ed, R.Saferstein, Prentice-Hall, 2001 (earlier editions are suitable)
Module Special Admissions Requirements
none
Module Resources
YOU WILL NEED ACCESS TO THESE RESOURCES:
Standard lecture room facilities, appropriate laboratory facilities, module handbook, access to library and to computers with www access
Blackboard VLE
Standard lecture room facilities, appropriate laboratory facilities, module handbook, access to library and to computers with www access
Blackboard VLE