Some of this MSc will be delivered at Cranfield University at Shrivenham located on the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. Security clearance will be required as part of the application process. Please refer to our entry requirements section for more details, or see further about security clearance for Cranfield at Shrivenham.
The requirements for forensic investigation around ballistics is becoming more and more prevalent in today’s world. The need for expertise to understand gun crime, examination of firearms and the science of ballistics is becoming crucial for armed and non-armed forces worldwide. Our Forensic Ballistics MSc is often attended by students from several different European, African and North American countries meaning the experience you will gather networking and discussing ideas with multiple different people will be invaluable. The courses benefits from facilities that no other university in the UK can offer, and our close relationship with the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom and MOD allows us access to facilities unrivalled elsewhere. You are able to sample electives from other areas of Forensics to build your knowledge. The MSc offers a comprehensive look at Ballistics whilst electives can look into amongst others, explosions and explosives, heritage crime and impact and protection.
Overview
- Start dateOctober
- DurationMSc: 11 months full-time, up to three years part-time; PgDip: up to 11 months full-time, up to two years part-time
- DeliveryBy written and practical examinations, continuous assessment, project presentation and viva voce
- QualificationMSc, PgDip
- Study typeFull-time / Part-time
- CampusCranfield campus
Who is it for?
The course offers students a wide range of different experiences with unique facilities available to no other university in the UK.
The MSc in Forensic Ballistics course usually has around 10-15 students per year. Students come from a wide range of backgrounds, usually with a science or forensic science first degree. Many students come from abroad, especially Europe, Africa and North America.
Why this course?
The Forensic Ballistics course is part of the MSc Forensic Programme and is highly practical and hands-on, aiming to produce a clear understanding of how firearms and ammunition function, the science of ballistics, the role of the forensic firearms examiner and how the forensic evidence produced in gun crime can be used to help resolve issues in relation to criminal and civil law.
The course consists of a one-week period of introductory studies followed by academic instruction in modular form. Most modules are of five days duration, interspersed with weeks devoted to private study. The taught phase of the course is led by Cranfield academics, external leading experts and industry specialists in the field of firearms. Students are required to take four core modules, seven course specific modules and choose three elective modules based on their particular background, future requirements or interests. This is followed by a four-month research project and either a thesis or literature review and paper.
Informed by industry
Made up of serving Forensic Practitioners from different disciplines.
Course details
Students are required to take four core modules, seven course specific modules and choose three elective modules based on their particular background, future requirements, or interests. This is followed by a four-month research project and thesis.
Some modules for this MSc will be taught at Cranfield University at Shrivenham. Due to the nature, content and location of elements of this course, additional security clearance will be required.
Course delivery
By written and practical examinations, continuous assessment, project presentation and viva voce
Individual project
The individual project takes four months from April to July. The student selects from a range of titles, or may propose their own topic. Most are practically or experimentally based using Cranfield’s unique facilities.
Modules
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course:
Ballistic Impact and Protection
Introduction to Firearms Investigations and Forensic Ballistics
Materials Engineering and Processing
Forensic Ballistic Investigations
Introduction to Shock and Impact
Investigation and Evidence Collection
Reasoning for Forensic Science
Elective modules
A selection of modules from the following list need to be taken as part of this course:
Environmental Forensic Science
Counter Improvised Explosive Devices Capability
Explosive Effects on Structures
Fires, Explosions and their Investigation
Forensic Archaeology: Recovering Buried Remains
Forensic Exploitation and Intelligence
Forensic Investigation of Explosives and Explosive Devices
Fundamentals of Forensic Anthropology: Osteology
Forensic Archaeology Mass Grave Excavation
Radiographic Investigations in Forensic Science
Teaching team
You will be taught by Cranfield's leading experts with capability expertise, industry knowledge and collective subject research, as well as external speakers from industry and defence. The Course Director for our MSc in Forensic Ballistics is Dr Kate Hewins. The teaching team directly related to ballistics include:
Your career
Prepares you to practise as a professional expert witness in forensic ballistics, within forensic laboratories, police departments, government bodies and non-governmental organisations. It is also a necessary introduction that could lead into conducting research at PhD level in the subject.
