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FSC-10011 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

FSC-10011 - Digital Forensics: Identification and Investigation
Coordinator: Emma Hough Room: LJ0.04B
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of forensic science as a professional discipline in the context of the crime scene and common forensic evidence. You will learn fundamental skills, protocols, and methodologies that are used when gathering evidence in a variety of forensics settings. You will see how crime scene science operates within the UK legal system and hone skills related to ethics, integrity, and respect, as well as digital readiness.

Aims
This module will introduce the students to the fundamentals of forensic science as a professional discipline in the context of the crime scene and common forensic evidence. Within the first semester, they will focus on crime scene analysis, developing the key skills needed in basic crime scene investigation. The second semester will provide students with an understanding of the wider context of forensic science, developing their understanding of the different skills needed within the discipline, along with understanding the different protocols and regulations that govern practitioners.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Categorise the different types of crime scene that an investigator might analyse, and identify the different personnel, and their roles, involved in this.: 1,2
Demonstrate knowledge of scene and evidence preservation, including different recovery techniques and priority considerations.: 1,3
Apply professional protocols and standards to accurately record and document crime scenes, including the use of basic photography.: 1,3
Demonstrate key skills in exhibit handling, including documentation of the requirement for further processing needs and appropriate storage conditions for recovered evidence.: 1,3
Demonstrate a basic awareness of what standard operating procedures are and the accreditation requirements for crime scene investigation and a forensic lab setting under ISO17020 and ISO17025.: 1,3
Analyse, interpret and present the various types of data encountered in forensic investigation and research.: 2
Apply a practical skills toolkit, demonstrable in a skills log.: 2

Study hours

Semester 1:
Active learning hours:
19h content delivery
4 x 2h simulated crime scene scenarios (8hrs)
Independent study hours:
20h simulated crime scene student preparation
40h portfolio preparation
63h independent study
Semester 2:
Active learning hours:
13h content delivery
6h Seminar/Tutorials
3h laboratory practical
Independent study hours:
6h seminar prep
40h toolkit prep
82 independent study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 30%
CSI Portfolio
Portfolio of work demonstrating key skills in crime scene investigation to the equivalent of 3000 words. This scenario-based portfolio will be based on the practical work completed throughout the semester and demonstrate core skills required for processing a crime scene, including contemporaneous note taking, photography, sketching and crime scene reconstruction.

2: Laboratory Book weighted 50%
Toolkit skills training log
Toolkit skills training log, equivalent to 5000 words, covering material which includes forensic regulations and codes of practice in forensic settings, chain-of-custody and exhibit integrity, contemporaneous notes, forensic data types and criminal law.

3: Laboratory Practicals weighted 20%
Exhibiting and Packaging
Completion of contemporaneous notes forms - students will complete contemporaneous notes based on their individual observations and information available. Packaging and documentation of exhibits will also be completed during the practical session(s). Equivalent of 2000 words

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. 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/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025