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CHE-30034 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2021/22 Last Updated: 16 February 2022

CHE-30034 - Forensic Geoscience
Coordinator: Jamie K Pringle Room: WSF13 Tel: +44 1782 7 33163
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2021/22

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites



Barred Combinations

ESC-20084 Geoscience & Society

Description for 2021/22

This module aims to teach students key theoretical and practical issues of specialist areas of Forensic Geoscience 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 palynology and palaeontology and forensic heritage.
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. describe a systematic knowledge and understanding of the series of specialist topics
presented.
2. describe, explain and assess standard theoretical and practical search techniques and trace
evidence retrieval within the topics of Forensic Geoscience.
3. evaluate information of relevance to the topic obtained from a variety of sources including
scientific literature, forensic science databases and other primary sources.
4. make informed judgements about the issues, limitations and current knowledge in forensic
science within the specialist areas.
5. describe and explain how the specialist disciplines can be applied to crime solving

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 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.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/che-30034/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

source and review published material on a forensic geoscience topic and write an independent structured literature review: 1
work effectively as part of a student-led team to solve a geoscientific problem within a limited time frame: 2
analyse geoforensic trace evidence data and write a forensic report: 3

Study hours

Lectures: 20 hours
Practical component: 6 hours
Critical Review: 30 hours
Private study, write-ups: 94 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Literature Review weighted 25%
Critical review of research area
Independent critical review of module-relevant topic area, maximum 1,250 words.

2: Group Project weighted 50%
Group project
Student-led group problem-solving of geoforensic search scenario with 2,500 word report

3: Report weighted 25%
Trace Evidence Report
1,250 word individual report on geoforensic trace evidence

Please note that for the 2021/22 Academic Year all programmes will be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there will 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: 16 February 2022