FdSc Forensic Sciences Foundation degree at East Coast College

This module will support you to assess and develop a range of professional and personal skills to promote future personal and career development specifically within the field of applied/laboratory biology. You will explore methods of organisation, managing and practicing a range of approaches to improve your performance as autonomous learners in preparation for work or further career development within the context of effective team management. You will be encouraged and supported to start their

You will develop skills commonly used in practical biology and in forensics, including measuring the rate of enzyme action, and develop the understanding and importance of biochemical processes.

You will explore IUPAC nomenclature and structure of organic molecules, including stereoisomers, will be studied along with reactions and mechanisms of different functional groups. You will be introduced to different spectroscopic techniques and how these can be used to identify the structure of unknown compounds.

You will become familiar with microscopy, (titrimetric and spectroscopic techniques) and electrophoresis leading to DNA profiling during this module. Presenting experimental results in a variety of formats will be expected during formative and summative assessment of this module.

Understanding the forensic processes in relation to the law and legal systems in the UK is a fundamental element of forensics in a wider format. You will explore the methods most commonly used in the investigation of a crime scene, processing this evidence in accordance with UK legal practices, and then analysing it within a laboratory setting. They will also gain an understanding of the legal requirement for a chain of continuity and of both record keeping and report writing in a forensic conte

Data is often the primary outcome of scientific experimentation. The volume of data varies significantly depending on the type of work undertaken but meaning must be extracted from the data output. This module aims to explore methods for data analysis to a level appropriate for use in industry and research. You will examine how outcomes are used to generate valid conclusions, considering the values generated and their associated errors. Biological databases have been developed in recent years to

You will critically appraise a range of study designs and data collection methods and tools and various appropriate analysis methods. The value and quality of research will be discussed in depth. You will propose a research title for the Industry Related Project module and will conduct a literature review relevant to the area of research in the proposal.

You will complete a research project based on an area of relevant laboratory science industry. A proposal, research and relevant methodology will have been prepared and agreed in the Introduction to Scientific Research module. You will produce a project that draws together different areas of your study, employment experience and/or work placement experiences to contribute to their area of interest.

Law enforcement requires criminal Investigations and these can be for crimes that are either known or for those where criminal activity needs to be ascertained to determine if criminal proceeding should be started (reactive or proactive). Investigations may also be carried out where people or premises are under investigation. This module will explore the principles of the role of forensic science within this process of criminal investigation alongside the legislation and considerations relating

Findings that are presented in a court of law need to provide confidence so the protocols for protecting, recording and processing evidence at crime scenes are of vital importance and an objective approach must be taken to ensure all aspects of evidentiary value are collected and considered including; fingerprints, blood, drugs of abuse and drug paraphernalia, documents, mobile phones and computers. The integrity of the evidence must also be maintained until legal processes are complete. Technol

The crime and justice sector will practically apply psychological research and theory. You will build an awareness of the practical application of psychology within different forensic settings. This unit explores the role of psychological techniques including the identification of offenders and the work with witnesses in retrieving memories. You will also examine criminal investigative analysis techniques such as offender profiling, crime pattern analysis and case linkage, memory – specifically

A variety of types of evidence are likely to be found at the crime scene and must be analysed Appropriately. Forensic scientists need to ensure that the evidence is not contaminated when analysing evidence. You will need to become aware of the factors that affect the validity or evidence and of the types of evidence that are more reliable and definitive. The crime scene studio will be utilised to ensure students can appropriately practice learned techniques and evaluate each other techniques.