BE6069 - Crime Scene to Court (2025/26)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2025/26 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Crime Scene to Court | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Honours (06) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Human Sciences | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Assessment components |
|
||||||||||||
| Running in 2025/26(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
|
Module summary
This module aims to build on all skills and knowledge acquired throughout the Forensic Science BSc course. It will enable you to put theory into practice in order to explore the stages of forensic investigations, from the initial crime scene right the way through to the courtroom.
You will focus on the interdisciplinary approaches needed in forensic science and how they are applied to the processing of crime scenes, forensic laboratory analysis and the presentation of evidence as an expert witness within the Criminal Justice System.
Through extensive practical work you will have a hands-on experience of a crime from scene to court. You will be exposed to and examine the challenges and decision-making processes faced by forensic personnel at each stage.
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
Review of previous learning (crime scene procedures, forensic techniques, and legal concepts).
Crime Scene Management (1, 2)
Evidence collection, preservation and chain of custody (1, 2)
Key forensic analysis methods of the evidence types (2)
Item examination (2)
Anti-contamination procedures and health and safety (1,2)
Statement writing (3)
Presenting forensic evidence in court (1, 2, 3)
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
The module is delivered via lectures, workshops and practicals (39 hours). The workshops will allow informal-teacher led discussions of the issues raised in the lectures and during the practicals. This will also allow the exploration of problem solving and practice in the key skills of communication, interpretation and analysis. Practical sessions are designed to allow the students to put the theory from lectures into practice utilising real-time experimental techniques and scenarios.
The remainder of the time allocated will be used for self-directed learning.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Evaluate the crime scene investigation process and understand the methodologies used in collecting, preserving and analysing evidence at crime scenes.
2. Apply and demonstrate an understanding of the analysis and interpretation of evidence and its potential challenges in the investigation process.
3. Use critical thinking to prepare and present forensic evidence through the application of knowledge to a mock trial simulation. Communicate effectively in good written and spoken English.