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.
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.
Places on the MSc Forensic Explosive and Explosion Investigation are competitive. Students come from a wide range of backgrounds, usually with a science or forensic science first degree. Many students come from the police and military as well as from abroad, especially Europe, Africa and North America.
It is suitable for those starting on their careers and those already with experience of explosives and / or investigations in a criminal and terrorist context who want to bridge the gap between theory and reality.
Why this course?
The Forensic Explosive and Explosion Investigation course is part of the MSc Forensic Programme, and is designed to give a broad introduction to the subject, rapidly advancing into the understanding of cutting-edge research and the latest methodologies. The course is highly practical and hands-on, aiming to produce forensic experts capable of giving expert witness testimonies in a courtroom situation and elsewhere.
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. Students are required to take eight core 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.
The Forensic Explosive and Explosion Investigation MSc is accredited by both the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences and the Institute of Explosive Engineers.
Informed by industry
Multiple strong relationships with forensic service and equipment providers such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, Smiths Detection, Bruker, KeTech and others.
Course details
Students are required to take eight core modules and choose three elective modules based on their particular background, future requirements or interests. This is followed by a four-month research project or thesis.
Some modules for this MSc may be taught at Cranfield University at Shrivenham.
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.
Course modules
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course.
Introductory Studies
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The emphasis in Introductory Studies is on fundamentals and subjects are covered at first-degree level. Topics include: |
Intended learning outcomes |
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:
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Investigation and Evidence Collection
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Reasoning for Forensic Science
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To provide an understanding and experience of the disciplines underpinning critical evaluation of quantitative information applied within the Forensic Sciences. |
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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. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Courtroom Skills
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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. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Forensic Investigation of Explosives and Explosive Devices
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Fires, Explosions and their Investigation
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Counter Improvised Explosive Devices Capability
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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. |
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Subjects covered will include:
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Introduction to Shock Impact
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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. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Ballistic Impact and Protection
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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. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to: • Evaluate available protection systems for a given threat, |
Explosive Effects on Structures
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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. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to: • Assess the effects and consequences of blast on structures, |
Thesis Research Project
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On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Elective modules
One of the modules from the following list need to be taken as part of this course
Trace Evidence
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Materials Engineering and Processing
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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. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Introduction to Firearms Investigations and Forensic Ballistics
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The module shall provide an introduction to the principles of forensic investigations involving firearms and forensic investigations of projectile ballistics. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Firearms Investigations
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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). |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
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Forensic Ballistic Investigations
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To provide an understanding of the principles of internal, intermediate, external, terminal and wound ballistics and how they are used in forensic investigations. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Forensic Archaeology: Recovering Buried Remains
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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. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Fundamentals of Forensic Anthropology: Osteology
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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. |
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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. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Mass Fatality Incidents
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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. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Forensic Ecology
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The module will provide an understanding of the contribution of environmental evidence in a forensic investigation and how analytical sciences can help the investigation of crimes against the environment. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
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Fakes and Forgeries
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The module will provide an understanding of the principles of forensic and scientific investigations into art objects.
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Radiographic Investigations in Forensic Science
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To provide an understanding of the principles and practical applications of radiographic imaging techniques used in forensic science. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
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Hazardous Forensics
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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. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Forensic Exploitation and Intelligence
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To provide an understanding of the principles and practical applications of the major forensic analytical techniques used in Forensic Intelligence (FORINT) and exploitation. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Trauma Weapon Effects
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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. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Introduction to Fire Investigation
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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. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Fire Engineering
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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. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
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Advanced Crime Scene Investigation
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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. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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DNA
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Temporary Mortuary Operations
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Forensic Imaging
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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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 Explosive and Explosion Investigation is Mike Harris. The teaching team includes:
Accreditation
The MSc of this course is accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences and the Institute of Explosive Engineers (IExpE)
Your career
Supports professional development for those in security and defence occupations related to explosives, intelligence or search. Excellent grounding for career starters looking to join government scientific services, forensic laboratories, police departments and insurance companies.
Cranfield Careers and Employability Service
Cranfield’s Career Service is dedicated to helping you meet your career aspirations. You will have access to career coaching and advice, CV development, interview practice, access to hundreds of available jobs via our Symplicity platform and opportunities to meet recruiting employers at our careers fairs. Our strong reputation and links with potential employers provide you with outstanding opportunities to secure interesting jobs and develop successful careers. Support continues after graduation and as a Cranfield alumnus, you have free life-long access to a range of career resources to help you continue your education and enhance your career.
How to apply
Click on the ‘Apply now’ button below to start your online application.
See our Application guide for information on our application process and entry requirements.