FP3S116 - Application of Forensic Specialisms 17 Jul 2024 - 31 Aug 2029 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: FP3S116
Module Title: Application of Forensic Specialisms
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Biological and Forensic Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Biological Science
Module Leader: Hannah Seale
Module Team: Rhian Kinsella
First Intended Intake: AUG 2024 Final Year of Intake: 2028
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh:
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100388 - forensic science 100400 - applied mathematics 100485 - law
HECOS Code Weighting: 33 34 33

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 17 Jul 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2029

Module Aims

To develop an understanding of the role of forensic specialists within criminal and civil investigations.

Content Summary

The module will be devised and delivered through a guest speaking series. Topics may vary each delivery year and will be focused on student preference and new emerging trends within Forensic Science. 

The following examples could be included but will vary year on year depending on availability: 

Human Identification – Archaeology, anthropology, biometrics, Disaster Victim Identification, fingerprint analysis, odontology, facial reconstruction, microbiome, and DNA.   

Forensic Chemistry – Explosion, fire, CBRN and toxicology. 

Environmental and Wildlife Crime – Botany, palynology, environmental agencies, entomology, GIS, and geology.

Forensic Other – Document analysis, engineering, ballistics, digital forensics, accounting, BPA, linguistics, road traffic identification quality management and fakes and forgeries. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 48
Independent Study 76
Directed Study (including online independent learning) 76
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Apply knowledge gained from a range of forensic experts through guest talks and case studies.
LO2 Critically evaluate the role and responsibilities of the forensic specialist within criminal and civil investigations.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Student Choice 1 1. Report 2. Recorded PowerPoint Presentation 3.Onsite Poster Presentation 20 2500 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Student Choice 1

Reading List

Linacre and S. Tobe, Wildlife DNA Analysis: Applications in Forensic Science, Wiley 

An Introduction to Forensic Geoscience. Elisa Bergslien. 2012. Wiley-Blackwell.

Butler. J. Forensic DNA Typing: Biology, Technology, and Genetics of STR Markers. Academic Press (2005).

Emergency Action for Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents, D. Hank Ellison, CRC Press

Forensic Identification of Human Remains – ICRC, 2017

Forensic Taphonomy: The Post mortem Fate of Human Remains, Marcella H. Sorg, William D. Haglund CRC Press, 1996

Goodwin W, Linacre A and Hadi, S (2010) An Introduction to Forensic Genetics 2nd ed. (Wiley-Blackwell)

R. Lewis, Forensic Materials Engineering: Case Studies, CRC Press