Keele Badge

FSC-10017 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

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

FSC-10017 - The Forensic Science Professional Toolkit
Coordinator: Charlotte Pilbeam-Bailey
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 provide you with an introduction to the principles of scientific writing, research skills and the tools required to collect, analyse, interpret, and present evidence. You will be introduced to the basic concepts in Criminal Law as necessary for forensic practitioners. You will also be introduced to a range of forensic science skills, laboratory techniques and methods used in crime scene investigation. These are essential for maintaining the integrity of exhibits whilst operating in a quality management system and understanding of global accreditation standards.

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 to 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-10017/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe and apply the regulations and codes of practice in forensic settings.: 1
maintain contemporaneous notes to a professional standard.: 1
identify best practices in personal protective equipment and anti-contamination protocols: 1
analyse, interpret and present the various types of data encountered in forensic investigation and research: 1,2,3
demonstrate practical understanding of Criminal Law as applied to basic forensic investigation: 2
apply a practical skills toolkit, demonstrable in a skills log: 1,3

Study hours

Lectures Synchronous (6h)
Lectures Asynchronous (20h)
Seminars / Tutorials (8 h)
laboratory, workshop and problem sessions (36h)
Guided Independent Study ( 230h)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Laboratory Book weighted 45%
Toolkit skills training Log
This assessment is the equivalent to 3600 words and is comprised of: a toolkit logbook to be completed as part of the tutorials and contemporaneous laboratory notes which will be produced during the laboratory practical.

2: Literature Review weighted 40%
Literature Review
A literature review of 3200 words, based on a given topic.

3: Assignment weighted 15%
Literature skills assessment
This online quiz will assess your literature skills and is the equivalent to 1200 words. There will be a series of short and numerical answers.

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