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

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 22 April 2024

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 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25


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
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: 1,3
Identify best practices in personal protective equipment and anti-contamination protocols: 1,3
Search, review and reference the literature on a given topic: 2,4
Analyse, interpret and present the various types of data encountered in forensic investigation and research: 2,4,5

Study hours

Lectures (24h), laboratory, workshop and problem sessions (36h)
Guided Independent Study (240 h)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 15%
Packaging Quiz
A MS form based quiz on the various packaging types encountered within Forensic Science

2: Essay weighted 40%
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: Practice Based Assessment weighted 15%
Contemporaneous Notes Practical
Assessment based on the practical completed - students hand in their assessment directly after the lab. Lab is based on the packaging skills demonstrated and contemporaneous notes that are made

4: Assignment weighted 15%
Literature skills assessment
Online form that requires students to answer a series of questions - the answers to the students must be found by the students completing a literature search on a given topic

5: Assignment weighted 15%
Data interpretation
Students must complete a Microsoft online form requiring them to answer a series of questions on the analysis of data

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: 22 April 2024