This module reinforces some of the fundamental principles of forensic science, whilst introducing you to a number of key areas of forensic science that can be classified as a mark or trace. This module will provide you with in-depth knowledge of a variety of evidence types and will allow you to apply that knowledge in a practical setting.

The breadth of marks and traces will be introduced including but not limited to the topics outlined below.

The characterisation fibres as items of trace evidence will be explored as will the evidential value of objects made of textile fabric. The analysis and comparison of glass and paint by microscopic and other means will be discussed.
The comparison of tool marks (including those made by firearms on cartridge cases and projectiles) and their evidential value will be introduced.
The individuality of fingerprints will be discussed, along with methods of fingerprint classification. The basic principles of visualisation and enhancement of latent fingerprints, and fingerprint analysis and identification will be outlined.
This examination of footwear impressions will be explored. This will include current protocols in footwear impression analysis including the search, retrieval and examination of footwear impressions found at crime scenes. The interpretation of footwear marks will be introduced including the use of databases for comparison purposes.
An overview will be given of the 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.
The interpretation of marks and traces will be explored including the use of the Bayesian approach. This will require students to understand how to interconvert between probability and odds, and how to construct meaningful likelihood ratios and use these to convert prior odds into posterior odds. Time will also be spent on the common errors of thinking known as the prosecutor's fallacy and the defence attorney's fallacy.

This module is assessed by
1/ a portfolio report that explains and critically evaluates the results and outcomes of the laboratory practicals [LO 1, 2 and 3]
2/ an exam that tests knowledge, comprehension, application and problem solving of all of the topics covered [LO1,3 and 4]

This module will feature tutor led lecture/tutorial/problem solving classes as well as some sessions of online learning to deliver the core material. Here you will not only be introduced to the theory, but by means of suitable case studies, you will gain an understanding of how criminalistic techniques can be applied to crime solving.

This will be supplemented by practical/tutorial work that introduces you to the analysis of clothing for fibres based on their microscopic characteristics, the practical investigation of documents, fingerprint development and analysis, toolmark analysis and the characterisation of glass.
Further independent study will be used to research background information related to the delivery of the core material, to work on assignments and engage in informal teamwork.

1 DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE WIDE RANGE OF TRACE AND CONTACT EVIDENCE THAT CAN BE LEFT AT A CRIME SCENE AND UNDERSTAND THE KEY PRINCIPLES BY WHICH THIS EVIDENCE CAN BE CHARACTERISED AND COMPARED WITH CONTROL SAMPLES, REFERENCE MATERIALS AND DATABASES.

Enquiry
Knowledge and understanding

2. DEVELOP PRACTICAL SKILLS TO OBTAIN, ANALYSE AND INTERPRET DATA, FOR EXAMPLE IN THE ANALYSIS OF DOCUMENTS AND THE INTERPRETATION OF FINGERPRINTS.

Analysis
Problem solving

3. DISPLAY KNOWLEDGE OF THE RETRIEVAL, CHARACTERISATION AND INTERPRETATION OF FOOTWEAR MARKS AND OTHER IMPRESSIONS.

Enquiry
Knowledge and understanding

4. APPLY THE BAYESIAN APPROACH TO THE EVALUATION OF EVIDENCE.

Application
Knowledge and understanding

N/A

Aitken, C. G .G. Taroni. F (2004) Statistics and the evaluation of evidence for forensic scientists, 2nd edition. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Asbaugh, D. R. (1999) Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press LLC.
Bell, S; Morris, K . (2010), An Introduction to Microscopy, CRC Press
Bodziak. W.J (2016), Footwear Impression Evidence: Detection, Recovery, and Examination (Practical Aspects of Criminal & Forensic Investigations, 3rd Edition, Taylor and Francis, CRC Press
Caddy, B (Ed.) (2002) Forensic examination of glass and paint. London: Taylor and Francis.
Champod, C., Lennard, C., Margot, P., Stoilovic, M. (2000) Fingerprints and Other Ridge Skin Impressions. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press LLC.
Cowger, J. F. (1993) Friction ridge skin: comparison and identification of fingerprints. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press LLC.
Curran, J. M., Hicks, T. N. and Buckleton, J. S. (2000) Forensic interpretation of glass evidence. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press LLC.
Houck.M (2016) Forensic Fingerprints, Academic Press
Langford.A (2018) Practical Skills in Forensic Science - Practical Skills, 3rd edition, Pearson.
Robertson, J. Roux.C and Grieve, M. (Eds.) (2017) Forensic Examination of Fibres (3rd edn). London: Taylor and Francis.
Robinson, P. C. and Bradbury, S. (1992) Qualitative polarized-light microscopy. Oxford: Oxford University press and the Royal Microscopical Society.
Robertson, B. and G. A. Vignaux (1995) Interpreting evidence: evaluating forensic science in the courtroom. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Wheeler, B; Wilson, L. J . Practical Forensic Microscopy: a laboratory manual (2008), Chichester : Wiley-Blackwell, 2008.

Marks and traces are a key forms of evidence seen in criminal investigations. This very practical based module will provide you with the knowledge and skills to analyse a variety of evidence types using a range of techniques. This module will cover marks and traces such as fingerprints, footwear impressions, toolmarks, fibres and glass. You will explore their use in casework, understand the methods used to analyse samples and learn to interpret this evidence for the courts. You will learn to apply your skills to mock cases, in which you analyse samples and report results. The practicals and assessments are based on real-world workplace activities and provide you with the skills needed to be a forensic scientist/investigator.