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FSC-30013 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

FSC-30013 - Forensic Geoscience
Coordinator: Jamie 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 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

ESC-20084 Geoscience and Society

Description for 2023/24

This module will provide teaching and learning resources for you to become aware, understand and apply key theoretical and practical aspects of Forensic Geoscience, specifically for geoforensic search and trace evidence.
You will gain knowledge on how geoforensics aids forensic search practitioners to locate objects of interest, as well as what geoforensic trace evidence can be obtained and analysed.
This is at the forefront of current forensic geoscience research globally.

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/fsc-30013/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

2
independently analyse and critically synthesise geoforensic trace evidence datasets and write a professional report: 1
critically apply geoforensic principles and techniques to complete a student-group led investigation of an outdoor search area or scene:

Study hours

Interactive Seminar Sessions: 24 Hours
Out-door laboratory and structured pre-survey planning, fieldwork, post-field data processing, and report writing: 30 hours
Trace evidence data analysis, structured resource study, desk-based research, data processing/analysis and report writing: 30 Hours
Independent study, write-ups: 66 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Group Project weighted 60%
Group project
Student-led group problem-solving of an outdoor geoforensic search scenario with 3,000 word group report with a peer-mark element

2: Report weighted 40%
Trace Evidence Report
2,000 word individual report on geoforensic trace evidence

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: 13 February 2024