This module will introduce the basics of the diversity of life including DNA as the central dogma of molecular biology as the unifying mechanism in all life. Students will learn the fundamentals of inheritance starting with the structure, replication and organisation of DNA within the genome. Beyond this students will encounter the wide scope of Forensic Biology that covers the investigation of crimes against the person (such as murder, rape and other sexual offences, assault), endangered species and paternity.

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, proper documentation, presenting written reports of investigations to courts of law.

This module will be taught through a series of interactive workshops, lectures and tutorials. This will provide opportunity to work on your assessment throughout the module and consider the needs of a new entrant into this area. You will undertake practical activities within the laboratories to strengthen your understanding of the techniques.

1) Demonstrate an understanding of the techniques in the collection and analysis of evidence of biological significance.

1) Knowledge and Understanding

2) Develop an ability to appraise the value of biological evidence.

2) Learning
4) Analysis

3) Demonstrate an understanding of how biological evidence (incl DNA) is collected, processed and interpreted, as well as an ability to accurately interpret DNA data.

1) Knowledge and Understanding

4) Appreciate the variety of professionals involved in the collection and analysis of evidence of biological significance

3) Enquiry
8) Reflection

Access to Adobe suite (as available at the University)

Gunn, A (2006) Essential Forensic Biology, John Wiley & Sons, Sussex
Langford, A (2010) Practical Skills in Forensic Science, Pearson, Essex
Jones, SH (2005) Principles of bloodstain pattern analysis: theory and practice. CRC Press

The process of DNA analysis starts at the crime scene with DNA collection (including anti-contamination procedures), DNA extraction, DNA interpretation and follows through to reporting the DNA evidence in context to the case.

You will learn to identify body fluids at the crime scene through presumptive testing and an awareness of the availability of confirmatory tests; you will gain an awareness of the types of blood spatter patterns at a crime scene, and how to interpret these patterns and relate them to the investigation, including scene reconstruction using 'stringing' techniques and pattern re-enactment.

You will gain an appreciation of related biological analyses such as forensic entomology, hair analysis and garment analysis. Specific case studies will be used where physical evidence and injuries such as wounds, burns and bite mark impressions can aid an investigation.

A presentation based on mock case investigation and lab report will form the summative assessment of this module.


A group presentation assessment based on mock case investigation: students will work in small groups to investigate a mock forensic case. They will analyse the provided evidence, apply theoretical knowledge, and present their findings and conclusions in a professional, structured manner. (Learning outcomes 3-6).


Lab report: 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 (Learning outcomes 1- 3).



Activities will be released through the online facility on Blackboard in order to facilitate regular formative contact with the students. This will be supported by remedial advice for those students having difficulty accessing the learning outcomes.



During the course of the module there will be regular formative assessments with some aligned to the summative assessments listed above, these will be used to provide feedback and feedforward.