FP2S007 - Forensic Examination of Human Remains 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | FP2S007 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Forensic Examination of Human Remains | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science | ||
| Faculty Group: | Applied Sciences | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Analytical and Forensic Science | ||
| Module Leader: | Rebecca Lakin | ||
| Module Team: | Paul Jones, Hannah Seale, Rhian Kinsella, James McCormack, Aaron Wall | ||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2027 | Final Year of Intake: | 2027 |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 20 | Credit Level: | 5 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100388 - forensic science | 100436 - anthropology | 101222 - crime scene investigation |
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 33 | 34 | 33 |
Document Version Information
| Version | 1 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Jul 2022 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2028 |
Module Aims
1. To introduce students to the strategic and unique aspects involved in the analysis of human remains.
2. To provide a detailed description of scientific and technological methods used in the investigation of victims of crime or natural disasters.
In engaging with the module, students will fully achieve the following level-appropriate Behaviour Domains of the USW Graduate Attributes:
Commercial Awareness: Behaviour 1, 2
Communication: Behaviour 1, 2, 3
Leadership: Behaviour 2, 3
Project Management: Behaviour 1, 2, 3
The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor.
Content Summary
Crime Scene Investigation – Discovery and recovery of human remains. Role of CSI. Use of location mapping, cadaver dogs and ground penetrating radar. Management of scene. Sketching and skeletal inventories.
Post-Mortem Processes – Disaster victim identification. Identifiers. Post-mortem process. Determination of PMI.
Forensic Entomology and Taphonomy – Decaying process and invertebrate analysis. Collection of evidence at scenes. Use of vertebrates for further analysis.
Depositional Environment – Geoscience, soil science, environmental factors, determining burial locations and
Anthropology – Key metrics for the examination of bones and establishment of human vs non-human, number of individuals, sex, age at death, ancestry, stature, nature of injury, cause of death. Mass Graves. Skeletal pathology and anatomy.
Facial Reconstruction – Restoration of damaged or distorted tissue, photographic superimposition, two-dimensional drawing and three-dimensional reconstruction.
Odontology – Taphonomy of teeth, mechanical and thermal damage. Identification techniques.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 22 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 26 |
| Independent Study | 56 |
| Directed Study | 96 |
| Total Hours Selected | 200 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Demonstrate a full understanding of the scientific and systematic approaches used in the discovery and analysis of human remains in the natural environment. |
| LO2 | Use metrics, intelligence and evidence pertaining to a forensic investigation where human remains are the central focus. |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asynchronous Assessment | Practical Written Work 1 | Forensic Anthropology Profile and Excavation | 0 | 2500 | 100 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| Practical Written Work 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |