BSc (Hons) Forensic Science (with Placement Year)

Program Overview

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The Forensic Science (with Placement Year) program at Wrexham University provides a comprehensive exploration of the field, emphasizing practical experience, theoretical knowledge, and critical thinking. Students gain hands-on skills in crime scene investigation, forensic biology, chemistry, and postmortem investigation, preparing them for careers in forensic science laboratories, law enforcement, private sector, government agencies, and research. The program features a dedicated placement year for invaluable real-world practice.

Program Outline

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Forensic Science (with Placement Year) - Wrexham University

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Degree Overview:

This program offers a comprehensive exploration of forensic science, equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for careers in the field. It emphasizes hands-on practical experience, theoretical understanding, and critical thinking skills, providing a strong foundation for future success. Students will be able to:

• Develop a deep understanding of the scientific principles underpinning forensic investigations.
• Examine crime scenes, analyze evidence, and present results in court as an expert witness.
• Gain practical experience in state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, a dedicated crime scene house, and a decomposition research facility.
• Specialize in one of three distinct areas of forensics: forensic chemistry, forensic biology, or postmortem investigation.
• Benefit from partnerships with local and international organizations, including specialist laboratories, local police forces, and experts in areas such as drone technology and disaster victim identification.
• Receive teaching and support from a team of highly qualified staff with a range of expertise and interests.
• Participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities such as guest lectures, short courses, local excursions, and residential trips.
• Build academic confidence with the option of a Foundation Year for those returning to study or needing additional support to develop scientific knowledge.
• Gain practical work experience through a professional Placement Year, providing invaluable real-world practice.
• Develop Welsh language skills, providing a competitive edge in the job market.

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Outline:

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Year 1 (Level 4)

• Maths & Statistics for Science (Core): Introduces essential mathematical concepts and statistics for science, including data analysis, probability, and their applications in forensic science.
• Introduction to Chemistry (Core): Provides foundational knowledge in chemistry and its relevance to forensic science and biochemical science.
• Crime Scene Investigation (Core): Teaches the principles of crime scene investigation, including observation, recording, and evidence preservation, and develops practical skills in fingerprinting, swabbing, and tape lift techniques.
• Criminal Justice (Core): Introduces the structure and processes of the criminal justice system, including key stakeholders, legislation, and ethical considerations.
• Essential Laboratory Skills (Core): Develops essential lab skills, focusing on safety, laboratory procedures, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and contamination avoidance.

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Year 2 (Level 5)

• Forensic Evidence & Quality Management (Core): Emphasizes quality control and management in forensic evidence handling, covering the systematic approach to the recovery, analysis, documentation, and storage of exhibits.
• Forensic Ecology (Core): Introduces the collection, preservation, and analysis of ecological evidence, including hands-on engagement with a wide range of samples.
• Analytical Methods in Applied Science (Core): Covers major techniques for isolating and analyzing trace materials, including chromatography, immunoassay, and electrophoresis.
• Research Methods (Core): Develops skills in academic research, including formulating research questions, designing studies, testing hypotheses, and interpreting results, culminating in a small-scale research project.
• Taphonomy (Option): Explores the processes of preservation and decay following death, covering biological and geological interactions, and examining current research and ethical implications.
• Anatomy & Pathology (Option): Introduces basic anatomy and pathology concepts, focusing on their application to forensic science, including the post-mortem examination, the role of specialists, and various crime scenarios.
• Forensic Instrumental Analysis (Option): Introduces the principles of major spectroscopic techniques used in sample analysis, including UV, IR, Fluorescence, Mass, Atomic Absorption, NMR, X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy.
• Laboratory Instrumental Analysis (Option): Provides practical experience with spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques, including instrument operation, data analysis, and report writing.
• Applied & Medical Microbiology (Option): Develops skills and knowledge in microbiology, including microbe identification, lifecycle understanding, and disease control and diagnosis.

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Year 3 (Placement Year)

• Professional Placement (Core): Offers a sustained period of work experience in a forensic science-related workplace, providing practical skills and valuable insights into the industry.

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Year 4 (Level 6)

• Research Project (Core): Integrates and applies knowledge from the program through a self-directed research project, fostering skills in research methodology and preparing students for postgraduate study or graduate-level employment.
• Emerging Technologies & Digital Forensics (Core): Introduces software and techniques used in digital forensics, including data recovery, analysis, and emerging technologies in forensic investigations and research.
• Drugs & Toxicology (Option): Covers the chemistry of drugs and poisons, their administration, uptake, classification, analysis methods, pharmacokinetics, and case studies.
• Drugs & the Human Body (Option): Explores the mechanisms of action of different drug categories on the human body, including drug characteristics, administration routes, interactions, and their relevance to other biomedical and forensic sciences.
• Forensic Archaeology (Option): Introduces the principles and techniques of forensic archaeology, including the recovery and analysis of human remains and other buried evidence, covering legal and ethical considerations, documentation, and practical field and laboratory experience.
• Case Studies in Forensic Science (Core): Critically reviews the application of forensic science in real-world criminal investigations, covering various disciplines and case studies, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Professional Practice & the Expert Witness (Core): Consolidates learning by simulating a case from crime scene to courtroom, emphasizing the professional, legal, and regulatory frameworks governing expert witnesses and providing students with experience in presenting expert testimony.

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Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods:

• Task-based exercises
• Crime scene and courtroom scenarios
• Oral and poster presentations
• Essays and laboratory reports
• Written exams
• Project dissertation

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Teaching:

• The program provides a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, practical sessions, and independent study.
• Students benefit from small teaching groups and a low student-to-staff ratio, enabling personalized support and guidance.
• The University's Inclusion Services provide support for students with disabilities, medical conditions, or specific learning differences.

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Careers:

Graduates of the Forensic Science (with Placement Year) program are well-prepared for careers in a range of fields, including:

• Police and Law Enforcement: Working as crime scene investigators, exhibit officers, fingerprint analysts, or in collision investigation.
• Private Sector: Joining forensic consultancies or companies specializing in investigation and security, such as forensic archaeologists, search dog handlers, or expert witnesses.
• Government Agencies: Pursuing opportunities in national security, intelligence, and regulatory agencies, such as the Ministry of Justice, National Crime Agency, Crown Prosecution Service, or HM Revenue & Customs.
• Research and Academia: Pursuing further studies and becoming research scientists or academics, developing new techniques or educating future forensic practitioners.

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Other:

• The program is highly rated in Wales for student satisfaction and graduate prospects in the forensic science subject area.
• It is the first and only program in Wales to offer a dedicated Decomposition Research Facility.
• Students have the opportunity to join professional bodies such as the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, the Royal Society of Biology, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Institute for Archaeologists.
• The program incorporates Welsh language skills throughout, providing an advantage in the job market.
It highlights the program's structure, content, assessment methods, teaching approaches, career prospects, and other key features.