There are three components as follows:

[1] 25 Multiple choice questions on the subject area of the specialism. These are marked as +1 for a correct answer, -1 for an incorrect answer and 0 for an unanswered question. The pass mark is 15.

[2] 25 Multiple choice questions on the subject of general forensic issues, particularly relevant legal questions, procedural matters and evidence interpretation. These are marked as +1 for a correct answer, -0.5 for an incorrect answer and 0 for an unanswered question. The pass mark is 15.

[3] A proficiency test lasting three hours.
The assessment of the proficiency test will be made against criteria that are described on a form produced in advance by the FSSoc which has been considered and deemed to be satisfactory by the Quality Committee of the Faculty of Sciences of Staffordshire University.

For each candidate, the outcome of the assessment process will be either that he or she has passed the module or that they have failed it. There no other grades of attainment that are used when expressing the outcome of this process. Candidates must pass each of the above (ie [1], [2] and [3]) in order to pass the module overall.


Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment:

As a Special Admissions Requirement, all candidates will have passed successfully through a pre-assessment process operated by the FSSoc. The FSSoc will give feedback to the candidates, whether or not successful, resulting from this process, indicating strengths and weaknesses of the application. The FSSoc will make available sample MCQs and sample proficiency test papers on its website to enable candidates to assess their capability in relation to the expectations that the FSSoc has for successful completion of this module.

There are no contact hours associated with this module.
The candidates are responsible for all aspects of their learning in relation to this module. The learning time required will vary from person to person.

The Forensic Science Society will provide a list of suggested reading.

The learners are responsible for their own learning resources and the FSSoc is responsible for providing the resources that are required for the assessment of this module.

All those embarking on this module must have passed the pre-assessment process that is devised, administered and quality assured by the FSSoc. Staffordshire University has no responsibility for this process.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes of this module to the relevant National Occupational Standards:
CH302 Manage captured images
CN701 Prepare to carry out forensic examinations
CN702 Determine the forensic examination to be undertaken
CN703 Examine forensic items
CN902 Explain findings from forensic examinations and interpret these to develop objective conclusions
CN901 Prepare written reports regarding forensic findings
CN801 Assess and compare forensic materials
CN802 Compare forensic materials against those held in files and databases
CN805 Verify findings relating to comparison of forensic samples
HF14 Exchange of sensitive information, data and intelligence

Learning Outcome 1 - CH302
Learning Outcome 2 - CN701, CN702, CN703, CN902. CN801, CN802
Learning Outcome 3 - CN902
Learning Outcome 4 - CH302, CN703, CN902, CN901, CN801, CN802
Learning Outcome 5 - CN805
Learning Outcome 6 - HF14

The details above map the learning outcomes of this module to the relevant National Occupational Standards. It reflects the core elements that apply to the following tasks which capture the role of the footwear specialist:
1. Recovery of prints from prisoners in custody
2. Recovery of marks from scenes of crime (volume crime type lifting etc)
3. Coding (identifying pattern type) of prints from prisoners
4. Coding of marks from scenes of crime
5. Producing intelligence eg linking scenes to scenes, scenes to suspects etc
6. Screening ie comparing shoes to scenes to say whether marks could have been made by shoes and whether it would be pursuing further
7. Comparison to give opinion on strength of evidence
8. Scene attendance to interpret footwear evidence and chemically enhance marks