PH1H49 - Introduction to Forensic Investigation 01 Jun 2015 - 31 Aug 2022 | Version 2
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | PH1H49 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Introduction to Forensic Investigation | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science | ||
| Faculty Group: | Applied Sciences | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Chemistry and Forensics | ||
| Module Leader: | Paul Jones | ||
| Module Team: | Suzanna Kean | ||
| First Intended Intake: | FEB 2015 | Final Year of Intake: | |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 10 | Credit Level: | 4 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | |||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | |||
Document Version Information
| Version | 2 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Jun 2015 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2022 |
Module Aims
To provide students with an overview of the history, development, specialist branches and use of forensic science within criminal investigation, with a focus upon the techniques and processes used by scientists to investigate crime, and evaluate a variety of evidence types.
To act as a mediator to instill enthusiasm within the discipline and as a vehicle for further study in this field at higher education.
Content Summary
This is a 12-week lecture/classroom based course delivered through UHOVI at approved locations.
This module will focus upon providing students with a core knowledge and understanding of forensic investigation through the study of the following subject areas through tutorials and formal lectures accompanied by simple practical demonstrations of the techniques:-
The aim of forensic investigations, and the personnel involved.
Reality versus the television's portrayal of forensic science.
Locard's Principle of Exchange.
Landmarks in the chronological development of forensic science techniques.
Fingerprints and their classification, identification and development of latent prints.
Hairs and Fibres and their characteristics and evidential value.
Drugs, Steroids and controlled substances: classifications, effects, identification, case studies.
Ballistics: Rifle marks and how they are formed. Types of gun, bullet and cartridge.
Questioned Documents: handwriting, typewriters, watermarks, indented writing, ESDA, infrared and UV examination, voiceprints.
Glass: Different types of glass. How glass shatters, and how to characterise glass by refractive index, density and elemental analysis.
Forensic DNA analysisincluding recovery and analysis of evidence including a description of restriction fragment length polymorphism and short tandem repeat DNA analysis. The National DNA database.
Fire and Arson Investigation: Methods to determine arson, motives for arson, accelerants, fuses, collection and analysis of debris.
Homicide Investigation and Forensic Pathology: The role of the pathologist and the post-mortem examination in establishing cause of death using scientific indicators.
Digital Forensics: The role of the e-crime investigator and types of evidence.
Forensic Casework: Evalluation of two case studies specifically highlighting the evidence used in the convictions.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 18 |
| Tutorial | 6 |
| Directed Study | 48 |
| Independent Study | 27 |
| Formative Assessment - Scheduled | 1 |
| Total Hours Selected | 100 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Demonstrate detailed knowledge of a broad range of evidence types used in forensic investigations, the accompanying scientific metholodogies associated with their analysis, and understand the concept of evidential value. |
| LO2 | Demonstrate an understanding of the specialist branches of forensic science and the types of investigations performed by qualified personnel. |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Set Exercise - Time Constrained (EX) | _Classroom test - Time constrained 1 | Multiple Choice Phase Tests – online delivery (Blackboard) – 3 in total – once every 4 weeks | 90 | N/A | 75 | No | 40 |
| Written Assignment (CW) | Essay (CW) 1 | Case Studies and Forensic Evidence evaluation | 0 | 750 | 25 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| _Classroom test - Time constrained 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Essay (CW) 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |