Forensic Investigations BSc (Hons)

" Forensic Investigations BSc (Hons)

Want to know more about our courses and life at the University? Why not tweet us #AskCU and find out!

— Coventry University (@covcampus) February 9, 2015 OVERVIEW

This Forensic Investigations course runs in 2016/17.

Are you interested in investigating problems, piecing together evidence and developing your investigation skills? This course teaches you how to apply scientific and investigative principles to the explanation and solution of criminal or civil cases.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

With a focus on investigative approaches and techniques over practical laboratory-based analysis methods, this course will provide you with the practical skills required to interpret and present analytical evidence associated with the explanation and solution of criminal and civil cases.

If you choose this course you will benefit from:

• a teaching team who have links with a wide range of investigative agencies including local police forces, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), benefit fraud, social work and child protection agencies and specialist forensic investigators who may offer placements throughout the course;
• guest lectures led by investigative professionals who provide specialist and up-to-date knowledge and understanding of their particular fields;
• a team of multidisciplinary experts from various subjects including criminologists, lawyers, chemists, forensic scientists, investigators and psychologists who bring their research and practical experiences in to their teaching;
• using real-life case studies and scenarios, as well as traditional academic approaches, to develop transferable skills relating to the collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of evidence.
• access to well-equipped and well founded laboratory facilities. You will be introduced to fingerprint recovery using powders in your first year. You will also be introduced to blood testing using Kastle Meyer (KM) and blood typing (ABO);
• experience of crime scene photography using a digital SLR with Liveview (i.e. you can see on the large screen the photograph being taken and what camera settings have been used);
• access to a crime scene room that you will use in the third year where some of these techniques will be employed. In addition there is a courtroom where you will be required to provide witness testimony in your third year.

Endorsement

Endorsements shall be renewed in accordance with the endorser's standard review process and subject to the University maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

To keep up to date with what’s going on in Forensic Investigations, check out our Facebook page.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

This multidisciplinary degree encourages you to apply essential elements of psychology, criminology, law, computing and the use of photography and video, and draws on staff expertise from across these disciplines.

In your first year you will study: criminology, criminal and civil law, policing studies, investigative interviewing, and forensic science.

In later years you will study: forensic computing, fraud investigation, and careers for forensic investigators. You will be encouraged to relate the skills and abilities you have developed to a number of different employment opportunities.

HOW WILL THIS COURSE BE TAUGHT?

Your course will be based on a series of lectures, with associated seminars and workshop practical classes. In addition, your personal tutor will review and discuss your progress with you and will be available for advice.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

An estimated percentage breakdown of how your final grade is assessed is as follows: formal examinations: 15%; coursework, tests, essays: 45%; practical or project work: 30%; group work, presentations, digital story board etc. 10%.

A compulsory Add+vantage module must also be completed: please see the page on the Add+vantage scheme for more details.

TEACHING CONTACT HOURS

In a typical week you will have up to 18 contact hours of teaching and this will break down as:

Personal tutorial/small group teaching: 1-2 hours of tutorial (or, later, individual project supervision) each week

Medium group teaching: 4 hours of practical sessions, workshops or seminars each week

Large group teaching: 12 hours of lectures each week

Personal study: 10–16 hours each week studying and revising in your own time

"