Module Descriptors
FORENSIC BIOLOGY
FORE50318
Key Facts
School of Justice, Security and Sustainability
Level 5
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Laura Walton-Williams
Email: L.M.Walton@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 37
Independent Study Hours: 113
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- GROUP POWER POINT PRESENTATION weighted at 50%
- TEST weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Additional Assessment Details
Students will be required to complete 2 pieces of summative assessment:
PRESENTATION: (50%) This Group Presentation, along with an Individual Executive Summary (max 500 words) will be used to show understanding of the concepts and application of techniques from the biological sciences that are used in forensic investigation (Outcomes 1-3)
Test: (50%) 1.5 hours. This test will be used to demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical basis of forensic biology, encompassing all aspects covered in this module (Outcomes 1-4)
Formative guidance will be provided throughout the module, mainly via tutor feedback and discussion with individual students during laboratory sessions, especially re results obtained, and their presentation, analysis and interpretation, and also via tutors dealing with specific issues in workshops and lectures.
PRESENTATION: (50%) This Group Presentation, along with an Individual Executive Summary (max 500 words) will be used to show understanding of the concepts and application of techniques from the biological sciences that are used in forensic investigation (Outcomes 1-3)
Test: (50%) 1.5 hours. This test will be used to demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical basis of forensic biology, encompassing all aspects covered in this module (Outcomes 1-4)
Formative guidance will be provided throughout the module, mainly via tutor feedback and discussion with individual students during laboratory sessions, especially re results obtained, and their presentation, analysis and interpretation, and also via tutors dealing with specific issues in workshops and lectures.
Module Resources
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
Access to a lecture room with projection equipment for PC-enhanced lectures with suitable blackout.
Access to library, computers and books
Blackboard VLE
Module Special Admissions Requirements
Study of SHS82107-4 Biological Principles for Forensic Science
Module Texts
- Gunn, A. (2006) Essential Forensic Biology, John Wiley & Sons, Sussex.
- Jones, SH (2005) Principles of bloodstain pattern analysis: theory and practice, CRC Press.
- Langford, A. et al. (2010) Practical Skills in Forensic Science, Pearson, Essex.
- Butler, JM (2010) Fundamentals of Forensic DNA Typing, Academic Press, London.
- Jones, SH (2005) Principles of bloodstain pattern analysis: theory and practice, CRC Press.
- Langford, A. et al. (2010) Practical Skills in Forensic Science, Pearson, Essex.
- Butler, JM (2010) Fundamentals of Forensic DNA Typing, Academic Press, London.
Module Learning Strategies
11 x 2 hours of workshop, 15 x 3 hour practical sessions plus 113 hours independent study.
The lectures 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, lectures and practical sessions. There are 113 hours of independent study to include data analysis and interpretation, and reflection on methods being used.
The lectures 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, lectures and practical sessions. There are 113 hours of independent study to include data analysis and interpretation, and reflection on methods being used.
Module Indicative Content
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, proper documentation, presenting written reports of 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.