FP2S55 - Practical Skills in Forensic and Bioanalysis 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2023 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: FP2S55
Module Title: Practical Skills in Forensic and Bioanalysis
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Biological and Forensic Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Biological Science
Module Leader: Paul Jones
Module Team: Hannah Minton, Jeremy Lewis, Ewen McLaughlin, Samantha O'Connell, Helen Burn
First Intended Intake: MAR 2016 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100388 - forensic science
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2023

Module Aims

1. To allow the student to study and gain practical skills in selected bioanalytical techniques such as electrophoresis, gel filtration, to complement their learning in the areas of chromatographic analysis and sample preparation.

2. To extend the practical skills using analytical techniques in relation to volume crime analysis through simulation and laboratory work.

Content Summary

This is a practical based module supported by lectures, providing students with experience in a range of bioanalytical and forensic techniques through completing practical work in the laboratory.

Bioanalytical techniques include separation, immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic techniques. Practicals will be chosen from the following:-
• Size Exclusion Chromatography.
• Ion-exchange chromatography using DEAE sephadex.
• Density gradient separation of whole horse blood.
• Solvent Extraction of used cooking oil.
• Salting out technique to obtain a pure protein extract.
• Soxhlet extraction of fat from crisps.
• Identification of proteins in a meat product.
• Separation a protein mixture by gel electrophoresis.
• DNA fingerprinting of plant DNA using restriction enzymes.

Forensic Techniques include:-
• Evaluation of trace evidence including but not restricted to blood, glass, fibres, earmarks, footwear marks, documents, ballistics, and fire scene evidence.
• Analytical procedures used in the analysis of the above using LMG, KM presumptive tests, comparison microscopes, ESDA, ESLA and chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 24
Practical classes and workshops 24
Independent Study 104
Directed Study 48
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Describe, discuss and obtain practical skills in key bioanalytical and forensic techniques for detecting, separating or purifying substances utilising the physical, biological or chemical properties of the analytes.
LO2 Apply a range of laboratory and scene based approaches to the field of forensic investigation.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Written Examination Written Examination - Open Book (Unseen) 1 Open book with an extra 30 minutes provided to students for technical issues with uploading via Turnitin. 100 N/A 40 No 40
Practical _Practical Assessment 1 Forensic and Bioanalytical Practical Techniques 0 2400 60 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Written Examination - Open Book (Unseen) 1
_Practical Assessment 1

Reading List

J. Goers, Immunochemical techniques laboratory manual.

S. Bell, Forensic chemistry.

J. McMurray, Organic chemistry.

D. C. Harris, Exploring chemical analysis

Forensic Metrology: A Primer on Scientific Measurement for Lawyers, Judges, and Forensic Scientists

Forensic Analysis on the Cutting Edge: New Methods for Trace Evidence Analysis

Forensic science: an introduction to Scientific and Investigative techniques