School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
CHE-30035 Advanced Topics in Forensic Analysis  
Co-ordinator: Dr Vladimir Zholobenko    Room: LJ0.07, Tel:34352  
Teaching Team:  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
Forensic Science Dual Honours (Level 3)
Forensic Science Major (Level 3)
Forensic Science Minor (Level 3)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Barred Combinations
None

Prerequisites
Satisfactory completion of all Level 1 and 2 modules. Registration on Level 3 of a degree programme in Forensic Science.

Description

This final year module provides advanced understanding of some specialist areas of Forensic Science which complement the core curriculum of the course at Level 1 and 2. Topic areas include: ballistics and forensic investigation of firearms incidents, advanced analysis of paint, fibres and glass evidence, and archaeology and art fraud. An emphasis will be made on the examination of physical evidence in court issues.

Four topics will be covered each year, which will be taught either by staff within the university or by external specialists, with specialist knowledge of the individual subject area.
Aims
This module aims to teach students key theoretical and practical issues of some specialist areas of Forensic Science which complement the core curriculum of the course. Topic areas will cover advanced forensic analysis of ballistics, paint, glass, fibres, archaeology and art fraud, with particular emphasis on examination of evidence in court issues.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of the series of specialist topics presented and how they can be applied to crime solving. will be achieved by assessments: 3, 1
Describe, explain and discuss standard theoretical and practical trace evidence retrieval across the series of specialist topics presented. will be achieved by assessments: 3,2
Evaluate information of relevance to the topic obtained from a variety of sources including scientific literature, forensic science databases and other primary sources. will be achieved by assessments: 1
Make informed judgements about the issues, limitations and current knowledge in forensic science within the specialist areas, with particular emphasis on crime scene examination/ evidence in court issues. will be achieved by assessments: 3, 1
Describe and explain how specialist disciplines can be applied to crime solving. will be achieved by assessments: 3, 2, 1
Study hours
Lectures: 20 hours
Practical component: 15 hours
Critical Review: 30 hours
Private study, write-ups, revision: 85 hours
Description of Module Assessment
01: Literature Review weighted 20%
Critical review of research area
Independent critical review of module-relevant topic area, with emphasis on crime scene examination. Maximum 1500 words.
02: Laboratory Report weighted 20%
Laboratory Reports
Laboratory write-up based on a series of practicals across the topic series. Maximum 1500 words.
03: Unseen Exam weighted 60%
Two hour unseen exam
Two hour unseen written exam, typically including four problem solving questions.
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.