Undergraduate study

Overview

Forensic Science at Keele has been accredited by the Forensic Science Society

• BSc Forensic Science (Major and Dual Honours) courses
• The major route in Forensic Science is accredited by the Forensic Science Society
• An analytical science degree leading to many diverse career paths
• A semester studying abroad
• Thought-provoking guest lectures from forensic professionals
• Workshops and visits
• Team-based final year projects
• An enthusiastic and friendly teaching team
• Modern laboratory facilities with dedicated IT suites
• Hands-on experience of a wide range of modern instrumental and analytical techniques
• Personal and Year Tutors to monitor welfare and personal professional development
• Support in making the transition to university

Forensic Science is very much a multidisclipinary science subject. It is the application of scientific methods and techniques in the context of crime and the legal system. It is a constantly fascinating subject because every measurement, every experiment is unique and the scientific results can have a significant impact on the life of a single human being.

The story behind every scientific problem has a human interest angle but the forensic scientist must be able to investigate and analyse the situation, impartially and objectively, through careful and exacting scientific measurement.

Forensic Science graduates have a broad scientific education, with specialist understanding in particular areas – such as chemical analysis, DNA identification, spectroscopy, microscopy and the biochemistry of drugs, complemented by excellent data analysis, reporting and communication skills.

Degree routes

Forensic Science may be studied for the following modular degree, all involving interdisciplinary aspects:

BSc Dual Honours: with a second subject (science or non-science) studied for three years.

BSc Forensic Science (Major): including study of a second subject in the first and second years.

BSc Dual Honours
Students will study Forensic Science together with a second Principal subject, over all three years of the course. The focus of the Dual Honours route is on the chemical and biological analysis of physical evidence and the scientific basis of forensic measurements. The modules taken will cover most of the main topics within the forensic discipline and include a project in the final year.

BSc Forensic Science (Major)
Following two years of Dual Honours study, students may elect to take a full programme of Forensic Science modules in the final year. In addition to the range of modules within the Dual Honours scheme, students taking the major route will focus on the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of evidence, including aspects of crime scene investigation and the evaluation and presentation of results as an expert witness. A wider range of option modules may also be studied and project work extended through an individual topic researched in-depth as a dissertation.

Course Content

First year
Your current studies will have given you a basic understanding of the scientific method and of chemistry, in particular. This knowledge base is reinforced and developed by some of the first year modules and you will extend your statistical and data analysis skills within the context of Forensic Science. You will gain an overview of forensic science, including a detailed understanding of key topics plus you will start to acquire a wide range of skills in both the characterisation and analysis of forensic materials and in aspects of forensic biology.

Core modules
Forensic Science Principles provides a historical introduction to the subject and its role in the present day. This includes the legal and crime scene context together with issues arising from the handling of evidence. Some key areas such as identifying individuals, identifying forgeries and chemical identification will be introduced. The issues around reporting, presenting and defending forensic analyses will also be addressed.

Chemical Science Principles will extend your understanding of chemical science, to enable you to study material within the forensic chemistry thread of this course. This module provides a theoretical and practical basis in analytical methods, the identification of organic and inorganic substances and an understanding of their chemical properties with the emphasis on forensic science topics, as well as enhances your practical skills in experimental chemistry and analytical methods.

Forensic Analysis covers the basic chemical and physical methods for the measurement and characterisation of forensic evidence. This module gives an overview of a number of investigative techniques and introduces the basic chemical and physical methods of analysis of trace evidence. It focuses on some of the key techniques, such as optical microscopy, microspectroscopy and chromatography, and provides hands-on experience in a variety of analytical methods through practical laboratory work. The need to ensure reliability and accuracy in forensic work and the ways in which the significance of results is assessed is also covered.  The statistical methods needed for the interpretation of analytical and forensic experimental data are also included in this module.

Forensic Identification introduces the core thread of biological science within this course. It presents the concept of identifying individuals by the analysis of the unique complement of biological molecules produced by their bodies, or by the identification of their skeletal remains. The main focus will be on DNA, the most important molecule for forensic purposes and you will learn what it is made of, how it is replicated, how it is passed on from one generation to the next, the types of sequence found in the human genome and which of these sequences are best to use for DNA fingerprinting. Techniques commonly used to analyse other molecules, e.g. proteins and lipids, will also be covered. You will get the chance to practise some of these techniques in the laboratory sessions.

Second year 
You continue to study core chemical, biological and criminalistic themes. Throughout the course, case studies will be used, where appropriate, to illustrate the context of the scientific investigation.

Core modules
Criminalistic Methods includes areas of forensic science where the science of pattern identification and analysis is of vital importance. This includes the study of marks and impressions, eg fingerprints, footwear and tyres.  The photography and imaging of such patterns are also discussed.  You will also study the dynamics of blood droplets colliding with surfaces leading to the creation of bloodstain spatter patterns, the interpretation of these patterns and other aspects of documents analysis such as indentations, inks and papers.

Forensic Genetics continues the biological thread with an exploration of the principles underlying DNA sequencing and DNA fingerprinting, the molecular biology of genetics and the human genome project. This module looks at the usefulness of forensic markers used for human identification such as STR typing, the Y chromosome and mtDNA lineage markers, as well as the genome project. Population genetics is introduced in the context of assessing the signature of a matching DNA profile and the presentation of that DNA evidence in court. 

Spectroscopy and Advanced Analysis explores, in detail, a wide range of modern spectroscopic and related techniques used for the chemical characterisation of forensic materials. These include IR and Raman spectroscopy, XRF, XRD, methods of elemental analysis, chromatographic techniques and mass spectrometry.  You will gain experience of these techniques in the practical context.

Drugs of Abuse covers the classification and identification of a variety of drugs of abuse and their effects on the human body and includes the biological mechanisms associated with processing abused substances, with a detailed examination of the liver. Also included is the chemical characterisation and quantification of substances ranging from alcohol to hard drugs. Legal aspects and procedures will also be covered.

Third year
You will study advanced topics in Forensic Science, undertake a team project and choose to specialise through a choice of option modules.

Evaluation of Evidence; Explosives and Arson continues your study of some core areas of forensic science including the investigation of fire and arson, the analysis and impact of explosives, and enhancement of your skills in key areas of the forensic process.  In particular, you will learn how the forensic scientist as an expert witness may evaluate the signifiance of his scientific findings in the context of the crime and convey this to the court.

Forensic Toxicology examines the impact of poisons on the human body and the identification and quantification of such substances. It includes aspects of the classification, administration and excretion of poisons plus methods of analysis within body fluids. Forensic pathology is also covered in some detail.

Team Project will allow you to gain valuable scientific and transferable skills in the context of a forensic investigation. You will be required to devise a project plan, organise and manage the team activities, carry out experimental work, analyse data and reach conclusions which you can defend to others. Production of a project report is a key outcome of this module.

Module options are continually under review and every year we intend to offer students some choice in their selection of an option topic. Examples include:

Forensic Geoscience aims to teach students key theoretical and practical issues of some specialist areas of Forensic Science which complement the core curriculum of the course and where topics are at the forefront of and of relevance to research in Forensic Science. These areas include: forensic geoscience, forensic geophysics, forensic entomology, forensic palynology and palaeontology.

Advanced Topics in Forensic Analysis introduces students to 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.

Additional modules for Forensic Science (Major) students
Alongside the Dual Honours modules, those on the Major subject route in Forensic Science take further modules, with a focus on aspects of professional forensic practice. This centres around the identification of evidence at the crime scene, its subsequent analysis and reporting, followed by the defence of the results as an expert witness in court. An individual dissertation is also written following research on a specific forensic topic of interest. Finally, a further option module is studied giving you an additional breadth of knowledge across the discipline.
Forensic Dissertation
Interpretation, Evaluation & Presentation of Evidence (double module)

Workshops and visits

Currently students are able to visit a QC laboratory in their second year as part of the Spectroscopy and Advanced Analysis module, and watch a post-mortem at the public mortuary in Stoke-on-Trent, as part of the third year Forensic Toxicology module. The third year students are also offered a weekend workshop in Forensic Anthropology, Osteology and Facial Reconstruction. Throughout all three years of the degree programme there are visits from forensic science professionals who give excellent lectures and workshops.

We have strong links with the University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Centre ("BodyFarm") and students are offered the chance to undertake a short course there in the summer following their second or third year.

Forensic Science laboratories

Our extensively refurbished Forensic Science laboratories have had significant investment and are equipped with state-of-the-art forensic and analytical equipment, evidence of the particularly strong links that staff have with industry, which results in donations. Alongside our laboratories there is a dedicated IT suite and a brand-new multi-user chemical sciences teaching laboratory and additional analytical facilities.

Codes and Combinations

All students who study a science subject are candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science (with Honours) (BSc Hons).

Dual Honours Course can be combined with:

Major and Foundation courses available:

Teaching and Assessment

In each year most modules are taught through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials, laboratory work and problem-based learning. Communication and other skills are taught by means of assignments, teamwork, mini projects, information-retrieval exercises and case studies. The reporting of these activities and of the laboratory work, whether by written or oral means, provides the route for development of presentational skills.

Assessment is by examination (50% weighting for most modules in years one and two, 70% weighting for most of the final year) plus a variety of in-course assignments (such as class-tests, critical analysis of journal papers, laboratory reports and posters) particularly for the assessment of skills. Where appropriate we employ self-and peer-assessment methods to enhance students’ learning.

Students undertake their final year team projects in the laboratories, often using research facilities and with the support of postgraduate researchers. Assessment of project work includes a dissertation, cross-examination interviews and assessment of the laboratory diary.

Students on the major route engage in crime scene examination and prepare illustrated reports on this work.  This is followed by a written expert witness report on their analysis of the evidence and a cross-examination in a mock court.

Accreditation

Our BSc Forensic Science (Major) is accredited by the Forensic Science Society.

Programme specifications (new window)

Skills and Careers

At Keele, the emphasis is on both the scientific approach to forensic problems and the key skills our graduates will acquire. This means that our forensic science graduates are particularly well placed to progress, not only to a wide range of scientific careers, but also to administrative and management roles where communication skills, analytical and problem solving abilities are greatly valued.  We have many examples where our graduates have progressed to careers within the professional forensic sector, as analytical scientists and researchers within business and industry, to the police and military police forces and to roles within the public "crime sector" as well as to a variety of more general graduate occupations.

Some more ideas...

• Chemistry and Forensic Science: research or technical roles in business or public sector
• Criminology and Forensic Science: public sector e.g. police force and related functions
• Biochemistry and Forensic Science: research in pharmaceutical and biotech areas
• Computer Science and Forensic Science: IT security, fraud, commercial opportunities
• History and Forensic Science: scientific or general journalism

Visit our Careers pages (new window)

Forensic Science and Criminology
This combination provides complementary study in both the scientific and sociological understanding of crime, detection, justice and punishment. Criminology covers the inter-relation between law, crime and society in a wide range of contexts. Forensic Science focuses on the role of the scientific method in the detection of crime and in bringing criminals to justice. By coupling the strong tradition in qualitative approaches favoured by Criminology with the rigorous, quantitative skills developed within Forensic Science, graduates from this degree combination gain an excellent understanding of the criminal justice system and have a very strong skills base on which to pursue a wide range of careers.

Forensic Science and Chemistry
Chemistry makes a major contribution to Forensic Science both through the application of chemical analysis techniques and through our understanding of the composition and properties of a wide range of materials from glass to drugs. The combination of these two subjects within your Dual Honours degree provides a strong chemistry focus to your understanding of forensic issues and gives you enhanced scientific and practical laboratory skills. For those who are considering a career as a laboratory scientist or wish to pursue Forensic Science at MSc or PhD level, then this combination is highly appropriate.

Please take a look at our new facilities and equipment. These include a new analytical laboratory equipped with a number of stereomicroscopes, document examination instrumentation, a range of modern spectrometers, and chromatographic equipment. 

VSC-4 document examination instruments are widely used in the forensic investigation of questioned documents.	High quality stereomicroscopes are essential for forensic scientists for the examination of trace evidence.
High performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography are extremely sensitive techniques utilised in the analysis of drugs, body fluids, fire accelerants.
Electrostatic detection apparatus (ESDA) is highly effective for document examination, particularly, for the visualisation of indented writing.	UV-visible light spectrometers are employed for accurate quantitative analysis of coloured samples.
ICP spectrometer is an extremely powerful instrument capable of simultaneous determination of 70 elements with the detection limits ~1 part per billion.	A comparison microscope is particularly useful for studying questioned and control specimens under identical conditions.