MSc Forensic Science

Module: 7AB005

Credits: 60

Period: 1

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This is a research-based project that provides the opportunity to demonstrate an ability to plan and conduct an independent research investigation related to the overall programme of study. This will involve identification of research aims and objectives based on the literature followed by data collection, critical analysis and interpretation of results in relation to relevant literature.

Module: 7FS004

Credits: 20

Period: 1

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This module covers core professional requirements in forensic science including quality assurance in forensic science; the management of scenes of mass fatalities; the role of the forensic scientist as expert witness; preparation of case files and court reports; and courtroom skills for forensic scientists.

Module: 7AB007

Credits: 20

Period: 1

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This is a module directed to postgraduate students which develops tools and methodologies required for advanced research study. This includes project planning, data analysis and choice of statistical packages, time, project and data management, technology transfer and setting up collaborations, data presentation, information retrieval and report writing including selection of methods. This module is designed such that the student builds up a portfolio of expertise, which sets the ground and provides specific information for their research project. This module is designed such that the student can also benefit by undertaking this module in a self-study mode.

Module: 7FS011

Credits: 20

Period: 1

Type: Optional

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

A feature of this module is that it will be taught entirely by practitioner experts who undertake the role of fingerprint and CCTV analysis on a daily basis. This is achieved by students traveling to the West Midlands Police Forensic Services unit in block format to take advantage of their state of the art facilities in these areas. The identification of individuals by fingerprints is one of the longest standing methods of personal identification used in criminal justice. This module explores the practicalities of working with real crime scene derived fingerprints to utilise commonly used matching approaches to identify the source of crime scene marks. Emphasis will be give to analysis comparison and evaluation of marks from ten print forms and will include an introduction to the AFIS system currently used by the UK Police Forces. There will be a short introduction to the increasing use of CCTV information in the investigation of crime, from establishing time lines through to facial recognition. Finally, the module will introduce you to the analysis of of bullet striation marks using the NABIS system.

Module: 7FS001

Credits: 20

Period: 1

Type: Optional

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This module aims to provide the postgraduate student with an in dept understanding of the methodology and theoretical background required for the anthropological analysis of skeletal human remains with the aim to identify the deceased. This will include human osteology and facial reconstruction as well as aspects of molecular anthropology, histlogical analysis of permanent tissues and the processes of post-mortem decomposition / taphonomy. Theoretical background and methodology will be introduced in a series of lectures, while associated practical sessions will provide opportunity for application of methodology and the development of topic relevant practical skills.

Module: 7FS019

Credits: 20

Period: 1

Type: Optional

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This module will provide students with an indepth understanding of applied entomology and taphonomy with particular emphasis in forensic contexts. Topics to be covered within entomology include; insect/arthropod anatomy and physiology, taxonomy, colonisation on remains, determination of the minimum post mortem interval, stored product entomology, and medical entomology. Topics to be covered in taphonomy include: early post mortem changes, scavenging of remains, thermal alteration, dismemberment, mycology, and decomposition in aquatic and burial environments. Practical sessions will be included, where possible, to support the taught aspects.

Module: 7FS002

Credits: 20

Period: 1

Type: Optional

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This module aims to provide the postgraduate student with an in dept understanding of the methodology and theoretical background required for the genetic analysis of biological samples in the Forensic context. This will include topics as sampling and preservation of sample material, DNA analysis methodology, the different marker loci applied, concepts in human and population genetics, DNA analysis statistics and stochastics, Bayes’ theorem and its application, Human and non-human DNA analysis. Theoretical background and methodology will be introduced in a series of lectures, while associated practical sessions will provide opportunity for application of methodology and the development of topic relevant practical skills.

Module: 7FS003

Credits: 20

Period: 1

Type: Optional

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This module serves as an introduction to the identification of persons from physical characteristics with a particular emphasis on the techniques that are used in mass victim identification. These will include use of dental records, fingerprints, prosthetic implants, medical interventions, tattoos, scars and brands, as well as secondary information such as jewellery, clothing, and personal items. This will be set in the context of the standard Interpol procedures for he recording of such information and matching that to derived ante mortem information

Module: 7FS010

Credits: 20

Period: 1

Type: Optional

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This module is intended to introduce you, the student, to the field of forensic mark comparison. Each of the techniques covered later in the course will be introduced. However, the main thrust of the module will be to critically consider the issues surrounding the utilisation of marks in forensic science. These will include the utilisation of databases, scene collection, enhancement and preservation of mark evidence, commonly used processes in comparison together with their limitations, quality management of process and alternative approaches to weight of evidence evaluations.

Module: 7FS020

Credits: 20

Period: 1

Type: Optional

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

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This module is for students undertaking the MSci Forensic Science course, and post graduate students on the MSc Forensic Science course. The module will build upon your previous experiences in performing scene of crime investigation, laboratory examinations and analysis and evidence presentation. This module will focus specifically on those issues encountered in the investigation of drug crime, and in particular the examination and analysis of drugs and related materials. You will be introduced to internationally recognised guidelines for sampling and analysis, and use these to develop examination strategies which you will then use in the laboratory