Forensic Science Diploma Level 4

Course Description

The Level 4 Forensic Science Diploma comprises of twenty individual modules, each looking at a different aspect of crime scene investigation.

The initial module covers the science of crime scene investigation (field forensics) and focuses specifically on the crime scene and will provide you with an understanding of the importance of time, care and detail when evaluating a crime scene.

The next modules focus on evidence gained from a crime scene, the legal categories of evidence in criminal investigation and identifies the difference between individual and class characteristics of evidence. Biological, Non- Biological, Fingerprint, Ballistics and Arson evidence are studied in detail.

The programme then covers evidence at the Explosive Scene and the difference between an accidental explosion and the triggering of a bomb and investigates how and why the bomb scene is processed. In this module learners will discover how explosives differ and why this is important in assisting the Bomb Scene Investigator to determine what evidence to look for.

Forensic Pathology is detailed in the next modules, specifically looking at forensic pathology at the crime scene and the mortuary. It covers the role of both the Coroner and Pathologist and how evidence is collected and time of death is estimated. How an autopsy is carried out is detailed and investigates the many ways in which death can occur and how the forensic pathologist recognises them.

The next few modules focus on different roles within Forensic Science, specifically the role of a Forensic Anthropologist, a Forensic Odontologist and a Forensic Entomologist.
In Forensic Anthropology you cover the anthropological determination of gender, investigate the anthropological determination of age, the anthropological determination of ethnicity and the anthropological determination of height weight and individual differences.
In Forensic Odontology you will cover how the characteristics of human dentition can be used to help identify human remains, how the characteristics of human dentition can be used to help establish the age of human remains and investigate how bite marks can establish connections between a suspect and the victim.
In Forensic Entomology you will investigate arthropods and insects and their role in determining PMI, examine the actions of the forensic entomologist, crime scene investigator at the scene, investigate the life cycle of the blowfly, factors in its development and its importance in determining PMI and how the forensic entomologist maintains the chain of evidence.

The programme then details Forensic Botany. It covers role of the forensic botanist, investigates the sub discipline of palynology, anatomy and dendrochronology, plant ecology and investigates limnology.

Forensic Serology is then detailed and he student will examine the role of the forensic serologist, investigate blood typing, investigate the analysis of blood, semen, saliva other bodily fluids in the laboratory.

The next modules detail DNA Typing, Forensic Toxicology and Firearms Investigation.
DNA Typing covers DNA and its structure, DNA coding, DNA testing and profiling and the National DNA database and the legislation that supports it.
Forensic Toxicology will investigate toxicology and the role of the forensic toxicologist, examine presumptive and confirmatory testing for drugs and poisons and revise chain of evidence maintenance in respect of toxicological samples.
Firearms Investigation looks into the role of the firearms examiner, firearms identification, ammunition comparison, distance and angle of trajectory, identification of trace evidence and analysis of gunshot residue and serial number restoration.

Finally the student will examine questioned documents and the role of the questioned document examiner, examine handwriting analysis, investigate the examination of typewriters and typewritten documents, word processors and printed documents and investigate the examination of forged documents, the examination of inks and papers and document verification.

Each module throughout the Forensic Science Diploma links the content covered in each module to either the importance of preserving the chain of custody or the chain of evidence at a crime scene.

This course has been developed as a progression course from our Level 3 Forensic Science Diploma.