FP4U003 - Fire, Explosions and CBRNe Investigations 01 Sep 2025 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 0
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | FP4U003 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Fire, Explosions and CBRNe Investigations | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science | ||
| Faculty Group: | Biological and Forensic Sciences | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Biological Science | ||
| Module Leader: | Beth Nurse | ||
| Module Team: | Paul Jones, Ella Mason-Buck | ||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2025 | Final Year of Intake: | 2027 |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 30 | Credit Level: | 7 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100388 - forensic science | ||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 100 | ||
Document Version Information
| Version | 0 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2025 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2028 |
Module Aims
Provide an advanced understanding of the scientific principles and investigative techniques used in the analysis of fire, explosions, CBRNe incidents.
Develop students' ability to apply specialised investigative methods for determining the cause and origin of hazardous incidents.
Equip students with the knowledge and skills to manage hazardous environments, ensuring effective evidence recovery and safety during complex investigations.
Content Summary
This module provides students with advanced knowledge and practical insight into the investigation of fire, explosion, and CBRNe (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) incidents. It explores the scientific principles of combustion, explosive dynamics, and the environmental impact of hazardous materials, giving students a strong foundation in the physical and chemical phenomena underpinning such events.
Students will examine specialised investigative techniques to determine cause and origin, focusing on fire dynamics, and the complexities of CBRNe investigations. Emphasis is placed on evidence recovery in hazardous and contaminated environments, while maintaining evidential integrity and chain of custody.
The module also covers critical aspects of scene management, including working safely in dangerous conditions, implementing contamination control measures, and coordinating effectively with emergency services. Specific considerations are given to fire related incidents and their scene protocols.
A key focus is multidisciplinary collaboration, with students exploring how forensic investigators work alongside public health professionals, emergency responders, and specialist teams during major incidents. This integrated approach reflects real-world practices and prepares students for complex investigative roles within forensic science, public safety, and national security sectors.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Practical classes & Workshops | 54 |
| Total Hours Selected | 54 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Utilise the scientific principles underpinning fire, explosion, CBRNe events, demonstrating an advanced understanding of the physical and chemical processes involved.? |
| LO2 | Integrate specialised investigative techniques to determine the origin, cause, and nature of fire, explosion, and CBRNe related incidents, interpreting complex data to inform incident reconstruction.? |
| LO3 | Critically evaluate the operational and safety challenges of investigating hazardous environments, integrating multidisciplinary approaches.? |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asynchronous Assessment | Report 1 | It requires students to apply theoretical knowledge and specialist techniques to a simulated hazardous event, producing a formal report that develops scientific communication and reflective practice. | 0 | 3000 | 50 | No | 40 |
| Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment | Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1 | It is a collaborative task exploring multi-agency responses to CBRNe incidents, fostering independent research, teamwork, and the ability to communicate technical findings to diverse audiences | 25 | N/A | 50 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | LO3 | |
| Report 1 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |