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FSC-30029 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

FSC-30029 - Environmental and Wildlife Forensics
Coordinator: Adam Jeffery Tel: +44 1782 7 33170
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

This module will provide teaching and learning resources for you to become aware of, understand, and apply key theoretical and practical aspects of Environmental and Wildlife Forensics.
Through taught theory and both field- and laboratory-based practical classes, you will gain knowledge on how environmental and wildlife crime investigators use forensic science to assist them in legal investigations.

Aims
This module aims to teach students key theoretical and practical procedures of environmental and wildlife forensics which helps to enforce regulation to protect the environment and wildlife in the UK and internationally.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/fsc-30029/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Recognise the nature and scale of national and international environmental and wildlife crime: 1,2
Evaluate the methods and procedures typically employed in the forensic investigation of environmental crime: 2
Analyse and interpret data derived from environmental, geological, geochemical, geographic, and historical evidence in the context of a forensic investigation: 1,2
Design and implement a field-based investigation into wildlife crime, applying appropriate geophysical and remote sensing methods to generate data: 1

Study hours

Active learning hours:
Interactive Seminar Sessions - 24 Hours
Practical classes - 15 hours

Independent study hours:
Guided independent study - 111 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Group Assessment weighted 50%
Group project
Group report. Students will, in groups, produce a 2500 word written report using data that they collect during an outdoor practical class.

2: Report weighted 50%
Trace evidence Report
Independent report. Students will produce a 2500 word written report using data derived from a choice of pre-collected datasets.

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: 16 September 2026