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FSC-10001 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 19 January 2023

FSC-10001 - Forensic Science Skills and Practice
Coordinator: Sue Shemilt Room: 0.30 Tel: +44 1782 7 33045
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23


Aims
The aim of the module is to provide students with an understanding of the wider context of forensic science as a discipline, the skills and implications of professional practice and to develop an appreciation for some of the regulations that govern practitioners. It will also provide students an opportunity to learn new research skills, as well as allowing them develop their existing transferable skills, which they will require in order to progress through their degree programme.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/fsc-10001/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe and apply the regulations and codes of practice that govern crime scene investigation and forensic analysis: 1,3
Appropriately package and label crime scene exhibits: 3
Describe the importance of chain of custody and maintaining the integrity of exhibits: 1,3
Maintain contemporaneous notes to a professional standard both at the crime scene and in the laboratory: 3
Describe the key aspects of the process in progressing a case from crime scene to court: 1
Identify best practices in personal protective equipment and anti-contamination protocols: 1,3
Search, review and reference the literature on a given topic: 2
Analyse, interpret and present the various types of data encountered in forensic investigation and research: 2,3
Work and communicate as part of a group, showing understanding for the importance of effective team work: 1

Study hours

Lectures (24h), laboratory, workshop and problem sessions (36h), group presentations (2h)
Directed and not directed reading (78 h), preparation of assessments (160 h)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Group Presentation weighted 20%
Group Presentation
Students will be assigned to small groups (3-4 students) and prepare a group presentation (15 - 20 mins) followed by 5 mins of questions on a case study where each member is required to present.

2: Essay weighted 30%
Essay
An essay equivalent to 2000-2500 words on a given topic. This assessment will require students to source the relevant literature, write a review covering the topic, and reference throughout using a standard referencing style.

3: Portfolio weighted 50%
Coursework Portfolio
A portfolio equivalent to 2500-3000 words incorporating a number of assessments such as laboratory and problem class exercises, CV writing exercise, and contemporaneous note taking exercises.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 19 January 2023