Forensic Ballistics MSc

• Peter Masters

The aim of Introductory Studies is to prepare you for your subsequent programme of study on the assessed modules. It is optional and carries a formal credit rating of zero, although your understanding of the material covered may be tested as part of the assessments for the course modules. Students are strongly advised to participate in Introductory Studies.

The emphasis in Introductory Studies is on fundamentals and subjects are covered at first-degree level. Topics include:

• Chemistry,
• MSc themes,
• Computing services and library briefings,
• Explosives awareness,
• Study skills and research methods,
• Maths, including Statistics,
• Library resources and referencing,
• Research ethics,
• Healthy and safety.

Introductory Studies is designed to enable students to revise, consolidate and expand their skill and knowledge base so that they can derive maximum benefit from the course.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Self-evaluate their educational needs and plan remedial action as required,
• Manage their studies using a range of IT,
• Prepare coursework without recourse to plagiarism by fully acknowledging the contribution made by the work or ideas of others,
• Work in accordance to University Health and Safety policy.

• Dr Hannah Moore

To understand the core responsibilities of evidence recording and collection at the crime scene, both in general, and specifically related to operational constraints of a UK investigative context. To understand the operation of forensic and police investigators within the context of a major investigation.

• Role of the CSI,
• Scene approach,
• Volume and major crime scenes,
• Recording the scene,
• Photography of the crime scene,
• Search and location of evidence,
• Evidence recovery techniques,
• Evidence integrity and contamination issues,
• Evidence evaluation,
• Exhibiting and packaging,
• ISO 17020.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Analyse various different strategies of volume and major scene investigation to consider the effects of different approaches.
• Compare the range of evidence collection and investigation techniques available to the crime scene investigator.
• Evaluate the relative merits of the range of systematic crime scene procedures vital to successful investigations.
• Evaluate which of these procedures are appropriate to a particular crime scene and apply these procedures appropriately during a crime scene exercise.
• Create a crime scene report which objectively critiques the methodologies used and draws justified conclusions appropriate for the evidence.

• Professor Peter Zioupos

To provide an understanding and experience of the disciplines underpinning critical evaluation of quantitative information applied within the Forensic Sciences.

• Experimental design
• Interpretation and assessment
• Effective framing & rebutting of arguments
• Problem solving
• Evidential types
• Use of relevant statistics for design & interpretation
• Courtroom statistics

 

The syllabus will follow the general course of a generic investigative process from the appropriate framing of a question to the critical interpretation of data and information. The appropriate use of data in well-constructed arguments will be considered in order to distinguish between fact, opinion and speculation.  Intellectual rigour will be challenged, and the ability to identify weakness in argument will be developed. Data will be examined for reliability and reproducibility with a focus on the distinct features of forensically related data.  Appropriate use of descriptive and hypothesis testing statistics will be practiced and the ‘prosecutor’s fallacy’ explored. Bayes’ Theorem will be considered and rehearsed through case studies.  

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Recognise the fundamental features of effective experimental design,
• Explain how confidence may be secured through effective reliability and reproducibility assessments,
• Frame and defend an effective argument concerning quantitative information,
• Apply appropriate statistics to forensic evidence for analysis and interpretation,
• Explain the statistical processes to the layman,
• Apply Bayes’ Theorem to forensic evidence.

• Professor Peter Zioupos

The module will provide an understanding of the role and responsibilities of expert witnesses in domestic and international criminal and civil cases and how they can present their evidence to the court effectively. You will also apply knowledge gained in previous modules to strengthen arguments presented in expert witness reports.

• Role and legal responsibilities of the forensic expert,
• Civil and criminal procedure rules,
• Excellence in report and statement writing,
• Presentation of evidence in court,
• Preparation for examination-in-chief and cross-examination.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Compare and contrast between the various legal systems and the concepts of criminal prosecution and civil litigation,
• Evaluate and compose in the role and with the responsibilities of an expert witness,
• Construct, formulate and appraise an effective expert witness report in compliance to legal requirements for such a document,
• Construct a case to present oral evidence in court effectively and respond successfully to cross-examination, with an insight into how cross-examination is prepared.

• Dr Jonathan Painter

The module aims to provide an understanding of the structure and properties of materials, to understand how the processing and fabrication methods affect them, and to familiarise the student with the common faults that can arise during production.

• Introduction to materials families; metals, ceramics, polymers and composites, 
• atomic/crystal structures, defects and dislocations,
• principles of metallography,
• phase diagrams and transformations,
• mechanical properties of materials,
• material processing, common faults and the resulting modes of failure,
• fabrication methods, common faults and the resulting modes of failure.

 

• Assess and differentiate the macro and micro material structures of the various material families,
• Evaluate the material properties and how they are affected by the material microstructures,
• Evaluate how the chemical composition, microstructure and processing influences the properties of steels and non-ferrous metals,
• Judge the potential production faults in a manufactured component.

The module shall provide an introduction to the principles of forensic investigations involving firearms and forensic investigations of projectile ballistics.

• Introduction into weapon functioning and performance,
• Introduction into ammunition construction and materials,
• Introduction into bullet and case matching,
• Provide an overview of the 1968 Firearms Act (as amended),
• Introduction to internal and external ballistics,
• Introduction to gunshot residue analysis.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Assess and evaluate how small arms work and operate,
• Evaluate the construction of small arms ammunition,
• Assess the use of the different sections of the 1968 Firearms Act (as amended),
• Compare and contrast the science underpinning internal and external ballistics,
• Appraise the science behind bullet/case matching and gunshot residue analysis.

The module will provide an understanding of the principles of firearms design, forensic investigations involving firearms and the classification of firearms within the 1968 Firearms Act (as amended).

• Weapon design and performance,
• Serial number restoration,
• Improvised and converted weapons,
• Preservation and recording of evidence,
• 1968 Firearms Act (as amended),
• Gun-shot residue investigations,
• Application of bullet and case matching in forensic investigations.

On successful completion of the module you will be able to:

• Evaluate the component parts of small arms,
• Critically assess the techniques employed during gunshot residue and firearms identification casework,
• Appraise how the deactivation, reactivation and conversion of firearms is carried out,
• Appraise the use the different sections of the 1968 Firearms Act (as amended) as applied to Forensic casework,
• Critically assess how firearms investigations are carried out whilst ensuring all evidence is preserved.

To provide an understanding of the principles of internal, intermediate, external, terminal and wound ballistics and how they are used in forensic investigations.

• Internal ballistics,
• Intermediate ballistics,
• External ballistics,
• Terminal ballistics,
• Wound ballistics,
• Fragmenting munitions.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Investigate and assess the internal, intermediate and external ballistics of projectiles,
• Review the factors that affect the relationship between projectiles and targets,
• Evaluate the factors affecting wound ballistics,
• Critically assess those factors affecting the performance and ballistics of fragmenting munitions and shotguns.

To understand the origins of stress and shock waves and apply experimental and modelling techniques and analysis to evaluate and interpret shock data into real world post incident forensic applications.

• Introduction to stress waves and shock waves,
• Use and interpretation of shock/impact data using case studies,
• Foundations in modelling impact on simple structures using commercially available computational programs,
• Applications of shock (geology, mining, bio, material properties, blast, weapons…)
• Practical experience of an impact experimental set up, analysis and interpretation.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Analyse the behaviour of an impact event,
• Evaluate experimental shock/impact data and model impact on simple structures,
• Devise and evaluate an experiment to test and validate the effect of shock/impact on a material and critical assess the results. 

To understand and evaluate the effect of projectile and blast impact on personnel, vehicles and structures and the material science governing available protection systems for a given threat.

• Penetrating, blunt and blast injuries,
• Tissue simulants,
• Metallic and non-metallic armours,
• Analytical modelling,
• Numerical modelling.

 

 

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

•  Evaluate available protection systems for a given threat,
•  Assess potential wounding/injury/damage for a given threat,
•  Apply testing and analytical methodologies for current/future projectile defeat.

• Professor Keith Rogers

To undertake an independent and original investigation, normally experimentally or practically-based, relating to a specific area of the syllabus.

• Project planning
• Safety assessment
• Statistics
• Experimental design
• Library search techniques
• Web search techniques
• Technical writing

On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:

• write a research project plan, with aims, objectives, risk assessment and time line (Gantt chart),
• identify novel areas of research and devise optimal experimental solutions to forensic related problems,
• investigate new and original forensic techniques investigation through the use of an experimental programme and illustrate how they may impact on criminal/civil investigation,
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concept, principles and theories relating to a specific area of forensic science or forensic engineering,
• combine information from different sources (journals, internet, interview, court proceedings etc.), whilst being aware of the possibility of bias.
• Identify and explain key issues and critically assess their value,
• evaluate the requirements of a specific test and design and construct appropriate experimental apparatus,
• critically evaluate the results of experimental work; especially in the light of other published work in that area should it be available,
• summarise their work in a 20,000 word thesis in a clear and concise fashion using appropriate presentation of data,
• describe the background of the project, justify the experimental procedures and present results at an oral examination.

• Dr Nathalie Mai

The aim of the FIEED course is to provide the students with fundamental knowledge and core experience to investigate explosives/explosives devices and their illegal use in a criminal and terrorist context.

• Introduction to the chemistry of explosives,
• Explosive Devices,
• Crime scenes investigation,
• Analytical techniques (Infrared, Raman, NMR, Mass spectrometry and Chromatography) applied to the detection of explosives,
• Sampling techniques,
• Case studies,
• Scenario based investigation of IEDs and their components.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Illustrate an understanding of the fundamental of explosives and explosives devices in an illegal context,
• Critically assess analytical data to identify explosive compounds,
• Construct and formulate arguments and analysis to effectively communicate relevant outcomes for targeted audiences.

• Stephen Johnson

• Understand the complex application, interpretation and determination of Fire investigation and explosive deflagrations in the criminal, civil judicial process.
• Understand the specific application of fire and explosion investigation skills in real world applications and investigations.
• Understand the applications of materials behaviour, fire dynamics and theoretical approaches to fire investigation, research and academic practices.

 

• Heat Transfer,
• Ignition and Heat Growth,
• Smouldering Fires/ Other Fire Phenomenon,
• Thermal properties of materials,
• Gas/And Other explosions,
• Materials, SEM/EDX Other/Mechanical Testing,
• Electrical assessment and ARC mapping,
• 3D/CFI Modelling,
• Marine FI,
• Aviation FI,
• Fire modelling/Compartment design,
• Practical material analysis,
• Fire science and behaviour of explosive events.
 

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Assess fire science theory and fire modelling for its limitations,
• Infer from the various physical and mechanical processes observed what mechanism was leading to the initiation of fires and explosions,
• Analyse the mechanisms involved in the spread of fire and the development of gas, vapour, and dust explosions,
• Evaluate what forensic techniques can be applied depending on the scene of a fire or explosion and the potential offence.

• Professor David Lane

To provide a scientific background to different trace evidence types and awareness of associated forensic identification and examination techniques.

• Direct and indirect transfer of trace evidence,
• Direct and indirect transfer of trace evidence,
• Fibre and hair construction,
• Microscopy for identification and comparison purposes,
• Glass construction and forensic examination,
• Paint characterization,
• Toxicology,
• Drugs analysis,
• Alternative light sources for search purposes.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Plan and manage a systematic investigative search for trace evidence using appropriate detection and collection techniques, with consideration of the order of examinations,
•  Appraise and categorise different types of trace evidence by identifying and measuring their most important features, including awareness of relevant forensic databases for interpretation purposes,
• Judge the importance of different types of trace evidence within forensic casework with reference to real-world scenarios,
• Critically evaluate trace evidence transfer models,
• Prepare a clear and concise written report on a trace evidence investigation.

• Roland Wessling

To introduce the role of the forensic archaeologist within the context of major crime investigation, specifically in the UK. The module aims to describe and discuss all aspects of this role, including project design, wide area search techniques, grave location techniques, excavation, evidence recognition and handling, grave and scatter scene interpretation and the production of specialist reports for court.

• The development of Forensic Archaeology in both UK and international contexts.
• Perpetrator behaviour.
• Search and location.
• Grave digging practical.
• Principles of surveying.
• Stratigraphy.
• Scene documentation and recording.
• Assessing soils.
• Running a forensic excavation.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Evaluate and critically assess the development of forensic archaeology and its current application on UK and international crime scenes.
• Critically assess the main techniques used in the location of buried objects and evaluate their usefulness in different terrains and against different target types.
• Summarise key aspects of stratigraphy, soil characteristics/properties and their impact on both the archaeological record, context and the excavation techniques.
• Critically assess the main techniques used in excavation, documentation and recovery of buried remains and evaluate their usefulness in different soil contexts.
• Plan and implement the practical aspects of a forensic excavation and its documentation.

• Dr Nicholas Marquez-Grant

To provide a broad introduction to the subject, focusing on the role of the forensic anthropologist, human skeletal anatomy and the basic biological profile from human skeletal remains.

Day 1: Introduction to human skeletal anatomy, biomechanics, and forensic anthropology.

Day 2: Bone and tooth identification and taphonomy.

Day 3: Human vs non-human bone.

Day 4: Biological profile estimation (age-at-death, sex, stature, ancestry).

Day 5: Analysis of a human skeleton.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Explain the role of the forensic anthropologist.
• Learn about the human skeleton.
• Recognise, name and accurately describe the bones of the human skeleton.
• Distinguish human from non-human bones.
• Estimate the sex, age-at-death, stature and ancestry of a skeleton.

• Dr David Errickson

This course provides an introduction to mass fatality incidents (MFI); their definition, categorisation, mitigation and management. It has a strong focus on disaster victim identification (DVI) but also covers more general effects, challenges, lessons learnt, management developments and, the return to normality following an MFI. In particular, the course considers the roles and responsibilities of the personnel involved in the DVI process, practical application of Interpol guidelines and DVI forms, planning and evaluation of temporary mortuary facilities and, DVI humanitarian assistance aspects of mass fatality incident response.

The course may be of interest to a wide range of professionals including; emergency planners, emergency response personnel (police, fire and ambulance), family liaison officers, accident investigators, NGO workers, forensic scientists, medical doctors, lawyers, and those involved in the investigation of missing persons.

• Introduction to mass fatality incidents (MFI); definitions, categorisations and history,
• MFI mitigation, response planning and management,
• Disaster victim identification (DVI) process and challenges,
• Roles and responsibilities of DVI personnel,
• Role of INTERPOL with respect to MFI,
• Needs of the bereaved and humanitarian assistance,
• Potential personal impact of MFI on responders,
• Case study examples,
• Lessons learnt and management developments,
• UK and International perspectives,
• Mock MFI scenarios,
• Media involvement with, and impact on MFI.

 

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Formulate the key aspects of mass fatality incidents with respect to definitions, categorisations, mitigation and management.
• Appraise previous mass fatality incidents to critically evaluate the challenges, lessons learnt, management, development of legislation, and the aftercare following a mass fatality incident.
• Formulate an awareness of current best practice guidance for disaster victim identification (DVI), logistical and scientific challenges, and the roles and responsibilities of the personnel involved in the DVI process.
• Compose and synthesise the needs of the bereaved, best practice for humanitarian assistance, and the potential impact of mass fatality incidents on responders.
• Construct effective communications by application of reasoning and collaboration through participation in a range of mock MFI scenarios.

• Professor Andrew Shortland

The module will provide an understanding of the principles of forensic and scientific investigations into art objects.

 

• Introduction to the art world,
• Collectors, auction houses and museums,
• Object and material types: (stone, ceramic, glass, metal, pigment, organics),
• Scientific versus art historical analysis,
• Special considerations of sampling,
• Quasi-non-destructive and non-destructive techniques,
• Relative and absolute dating,
• Provenancing.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Evaluate the basic functioning of the art market,
• Construct a critical stance regarding the legal roles of various players and the part that science can play,
• Critically assess the various scientific and non-scientific techniques,
• Design sampling strategies and propose techniques which are of most use,
• Create and manage a specific investigation of art objects to successfully formulate a reasoned and balanced conclusion. 

• Roland Wessling

To provide an understanding of the principles and practical applications of radiographic imaging techniques used in forensic science.

• Physics of X-ray production and utilization,
• Radiographic equipment and complimentary imaging modalities – computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound,
• Analogue and digital image recording media,
• Radiation protection and legislation,
• Medical imaging techniques and their application in the forensic examination of human subjects; ballistic trauma, narcotics trafficking, abuse, assault, homicide,  unexplained sudden death, human identification,
• Virtopsy ® and the virtual post-mortem,
• Radiographic techniques applied to art work and counterfeit objects,
• Industrial radiographic techniques for engineering components including weapons, missiles and improvised explosive devices.

On successful completion of the module you will be able to:

• Evaluate the fundamental principles of a wide range of imaging techniques,
• Identify and assess appropriate radiation protection measures when employing radiographic imaging techniques according to current ionising radiation regulations,
• Critically assess the advantages and disadvantages of different imaging techniques and their use in the individualisation of human remains and characterisation of trauma and/or disease states,
• Critically analyse the advantages and disadvantages of imaging techniques and their use in the identification and characterisation of components and component failure,
• Practically implement appropriate imaging techniques for defined situations and interpret the results. 

• Stephen Johnson

To present the fundamental principles of hazardous investigations including CBRN and to introduce techniques and working practices that promote risk management during a methodical investigation.

• Introduction to hazardous investigations – principles and practices,
• Recognising a CBRN incident,
• Understanding hazardous scenes, sites, and situations (operational to strategic),
• Management of hazardous scenes,
• CBRN contamination as an evidence challenge,
• Reporting on investigations,
• Techniques and technologies for operating in hazardous environments.
  
   

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Evaluate hazards that might be present at a crime scene, including those associated with an improvised CBRN device,
• Contextualize hazards by recognizing the scope and chronology of events that created them, and the drivers, responsibilities and challenges faced by parties involved in addressing them,
• Forecast potential consequences and assess the likelihood of harm from various hazards, and incorporate reasonable mitigation measures into a justifiable hazard management plan,
• Plan and execute a time-bounded recovery task, utilising critical thinking to prioritise items of greatest forensic value whilst considering their admissibility into evidence,
• Create a crime scene report for a hazardous crime scene that objectively critiques the methodologies used on-scene and draws justified conclusions appropriate for the evidence recovered.
  
  

• Stephen Johnson

To provide an understanding of the principles and practical applications of the major forensic analytical techniques used in Forensic Intelligence (FORINT) and exploitation.

• Role of intelligence processes and data management,
• FORINT in Long term policing strategy,
• Exploitation and Military Intelligence,
• Pattern analysis, GIS and mathematics in forensic intelligence,
• Technical exploitation,
• Forensic exploitation,
• Planning and direction of forensic intelligence,
• Collection, processing, production, management and dissemination of FORINT,
• Forms of output and report from FORINT.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Distinguish evidential types for use in court and for intelligence purposes,
• Evaluate the levels and range of forensic exploitation techniques,
• Manage and prioritise the exploitation of forensic intelligence derived from people, places and vehicles,
• Critically assess how forensic intelligence interfaces with other intelligence sources,
• Establish and maintain a FORINT exploitation policy within the frameworks of forensic best practice and the recognized intelligence cycle.

• Stephen Johnson

The aim of the C-IED Capability course is to educate industry, military and civilian MoD C-IED and Counter Threat professionals in a system engineering & critical thinking approach to the Counter IED/Threat systems with emphasis on supporting capabilities and technology.

Subjects covered will include:
• The C-IED approach in accordance with JDP 3-65(AJP-3.15(C)) and other civilian and military approaches,
• Understand the development of IED threats based on historical perspective and how these have been countered,
• Technologies involved in C-IED across Detect, Neutralise, Mitigate and Exploit,
• Incudes roles of ISTAR and ECM,
• How to advise senior and specialist staff on C-Threat,
• The importance of ‘Understand’ and information management to maintain effectiveness,
• Application of influence activities to C-Threat,
• Analysing adversary weapon systems and identifying points of influence and effect.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Evaluate the benefit of C-IED activities (Predict, Pursue, Prevent, Detect, Neutralise and Mitigate and Exploit) with respect to Prepare the Force, Attack the Network and Defeat the Device,
• Predict the impact of new technologies on threat,
• Analyse the development of IED threats,
• Recommend a strategy to counter an adversary’s IED/Threat systems.

To understand the effects of blast loading and how it interacts with structures and the environment, and the pros and cons of various software modelling tools.

• Introduction to structures,
• Introduction to blast,
• Testing methodology,
• Environmental effects/considerations (urban vs non-urban),
• Mitigation methods,
• Vehicle blast,
• Blast injury,
• Modelling tools.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

•  Assess the effects and consequences of blast on structures,
•  Examine and evaluate the factors that affect blast loading,
•  Demonstrate a critical awareness of the limitations of different modelling tools.

• Dr Nicholas Marquez-Grant
• Dr Richard Critchley

Understand the nature of different weapon types used in criminal activity. Evaluate the construction of improvised weapons and their wounding potential in real life scenarios.

• Discuss and evaluate commonly used weapons by examining case studies,
• Blunt Trauma and the biomechanics of tissue damage,
• The effect of body armour on wounding potential of weapons,
• Use and interpretation of wounding data,
• Microscopy and micro CT analysis,
• Practical use of stab/slash/blunt trauma rigs to examine the effect of a variety of weapons,
• Use of tissue simulants,
• Weapon identification from wounding patterns in historical cases.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Analyse wounding patterns by individual weapons,
• Assess trauma patterns in soft tissue and bone,
• Evaluate the construction of improvised weapons used in criminal activity,
• Identify and discuss the suitability of tissue simulants,
• Identify weapon type by wounding patterns.

Understand the nature of fire, its basic principles, and the application of fire investigation in the criminal and civil judicial process. Appreciate the application of fire investigation skills in real world applications and investigations.

• The basic principles of fire chemistry,
• Principles of Fire investigation,
• Photography of fire scenes/dark environments and associated techniques,
• Ignition sources and their viability,
• Case studies,
• Basic crime scene packaging, evidential continuity and recovery of fire scene samples,
• Basic fire scene debris analysis,
• The effects of fire on common household items,
• Practical fire scene investigation and origin and cause determination.

• Evaluate the principals of fire,
• Assess the area of origin and cause of a fire,
• Examine and analyse fire spread and fire damage patterns,
• Assess the scientific principals and bias within fire investigation,
• Evaluate a basic practical fire investigation including photography, packaging, excavation and note taking.

This module's aim is to understand the application, interpretation and determination of Fire investigation and explosive deflagrations in the criminal, civil judicial process. Another aim is to understand the specific application of fire and explosion investigation skills in real world applications and investigations.

• Assessment of case studies, Miscarriages of Justice,
• The Myths of Fire investigation,
• Electrical Services/Equipment and H&S,
• Explosive Deflagrations/Bleves,
• Materials in fire and their behaviours,
• Ignitable liquids, identification, Analysis and interpretation,
• Fire modelling/compartment design,
• Practical complex fire scene with ignitable, liquids/accelerants,
• Report and statement writing.

On successful completion of the module you will be able to:

• Evaluate a broad range of fire investigation including electrical fires, arsons, friction, instantaneous combustion and deflagrate,
• Critique the principals of fire investigation regarding multiple origin and cause and explosive events,
• Evaluate the area of origin and cause of a fire in multiple events including arsons, electrical, self-heating, friction, instantaneous combustion and deflagrate, Bleve’s,
• Assess the behaviors’ of different materials within fires e.g. Glass, Timber, Metals,
• Critically critique fire spread, fire damage and explosive patterns,
• Compose a written O&C report and be informally cross examined.

• Dr Hannah Moore

The aim of this module is to further students' understanding of the core responsibilities of evidence recording and collection at the crime scene. To develop a deep understanding of the role of a CSI across a range of scenes.

• Advanced photography,
• Post-mortem evidence collection,
• Scene specific evidence collection,
• Role of SIO in major crime.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Preserve and protect the crime scenes of various natures to ensure integrity of evidence,
• Compile dynamic forensic strategies between three different crime scenes,
• Demonstrate the ability to conduct advanced photography of indoor/outdoor crime scenes and mortuary photography to supplement scene attendance notes,
• Assess and correctly disseminate intelligence of a crime scene.

• Laura Hugh

The aim of this module is to provide a broad introduction to DNA as evidence, its forensic examination and interpretation.

• DNA - structure and function,
• Awareness of different sources of DNA (crime scene, references and elimination samples),
• Direct and indirect DNA transfer,
• Stages of DNA profiling,
• Modern DNA profiling methods, including DNA 17 and DNA 24,
• Alternative DNA profiling methods, e.g., Mitochondria DNA analysis and Y-STRs,
• Next generation forensic DNA analysis,
• Familial DNA,
• Evaluation of DNA evidence – statistical and non-statistical.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Discuss the role of DNA as genetic material.
• Evaluate the role of DNA evidence within the criminal justice system.
• Appraise a broad range of current DNA technologies used within industry.
• Interpret modern DNA profiles and assess DNA profile reporting styles.
• Distinguish and apply model approaches to the evaluation of DNA evidence within Bayesian frameworks.

• Roland Wessling
• Mark Viner

The aim of the module is to introduce students to the principles of setting up and running a temporary mortuary, enable them to apply those principles in simulation exercises and allow them to learn and progress through reviewing their decisions/actions and discussing and critiquing their pros and cons. Furthermore, students will learn how to present their findings in a formal, legal setting as well as understanding the emotive and sensitive nature of victim identification work.

• Introduction temporary mortuary setup and operations principles,
• Documentation of temporary mortuary operations,
• Setting up a temporary mortuary,
• Understanding the workflows of a temporary mortuary operation,
• Operating a temporary mortuary,
• Collating data from temporary mortuary operations,
• Preparing data collated for an Identification Commission,
• Judging how to responsibly advise the ID Commission,
• Presenting victim identification data formally in a legal setting.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Evaluate and critically assess the principles of temporary mortuary setup & operation.
• Select the best mortuary workflow processes after evaluating the impact of the physical space and equipment available,
• Judge the efficiency of the mortuary workflows and apply changes to further improve efficiency,
• Develop the expertise to set up and ru8n a temporary mortuary in any given environment or context,
• Develop the ability to present sensitive victim identification data in the legal and formal setting of an Identification Commission.

• Roland Wessling
• Dr Stephanie Giles

The aim of the module is to introduce students to different types of imaging techniques, enable them to apply those techniques in coordinated exercises and allow them to learn and progress through reviewing their images and discussing and critiquing their pros and cons. Furthermore, students will learn how to use images to their best extent in reporting, enabling them to create not only coursework for this module but also to improve any future report or document through imaging.

• Introduction to photographic principles,
• Documentation of imaging operations,
• Application of basic photographic principles,
• Understanding creative photography,
• Forensic photography of a basic crime scene,
• Forensic photography of an advanced crime scene,
• Forensic photography of a night-time crime scene,
• Creating and analysing 3d, photogrammetry models,
• Microscopic imaging,
• Radiographic imaging,
• Use of images in reports and other documentation,
• Group presentations of selected imaging aspects.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Evaluate and critically assess the best imaging technique for any situation that needs documenting,
• Select the best equipment settings and image composition after evaluating a scene to be documented, the purpose and intend of the image and the conditions in which to record the scene,
• Judge how a scene needs to be documented, what images need to be taken and what they can achieve in final reporting,
• Develop imaging abilities in future through critiquing images taken and learn from positives and negatives,
• Improve future reports and other documents by using images to their best effect and full potential.