BE6067 - Inferences from Biological Remains (2025/26)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2025/26 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Inferences from Biological Remains | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Honours (06) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Human Sciences | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||
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| Running in 2025/26(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module examines the role played by the various branches within the field of forensic science and the potential inferences that can be found from biological remains. Amongst other concepts and techniques in forensic investigation taphonomy, palynology, archaeology and entomology will be explored.
This module aims to provide you with an interdisciplinary approach to the forensic inferences gathered from biological remains. The use of invertebrates in forensic science will be explored, particularly for ageing cadavers. The module also reviews the role of serological and DNA analysis in the context of forensic investigations. You will also examine osteological factors and characterisation. Ethical issues will be discussed throughout the module with particular reference to the excavation, study and reburial of human skeletons.
The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
This module aims to provide you with the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the application of personal responsibility and decision-making alongside key forensic evidence knowledge and interpretation.
Prior learning requirements
BE4061, BE5072, BE5073, BE5074
Syllabus
DNA analysis: the role of DNA techniques in the identification of individuals, gender, ancestral population, disease profiles and familial relationships (1)
Entomology: the role of insects and arthropods that inhabit decomposing remains, emphasising how the knowledge of life cycles and successions of necrophagous insects may be used to determine time of death of cadavers (2,3)
Disaster Victim Identification and ethical considerations (1,3)
Osteology: introduction to the anatomy and physiology of bone, identification of components of the skeleton. Osteological and dental pathology, post-mortem skeletal alterations, assessment of age, sex, stature, ancestry, identity and bioarchaeology of burial sites (3)
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
The module is delivered via lectures, tutorials, workshops and case studies (38 hours). The tutorials and workshops will allow informal-teacher led discussions of the issues raised in the lectures and are also used to allow practice in the key skills of communication, interpretation and analysis through case studies and article reviews.
The remainder of the time allocated will be used for self-directed learning. Students will be
expected to reflect upon taught material in order to demonstrate their understanding of the aspects of forensic science covered in this module. Students will be given guidance on what topics should be explored during their self-directed learning.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Consider how DNA samples may be obtained and show an awareness of the factors and ethical issues affecting DNA analysis in forensic investigations;
2. Consider taphonomic processes; entomological succession and the role of invertebrates in forensic science;
3. Discriminate between the principal components of the human skeleton and demonstrate knowledge of skeletal features that allow age, sex and stature to be determined.