BSc (Hons) Forensic Science with Criminology Bachelor's degree at Keele University

You will gain a solid foundation in the chemical underpinnings of forensic science. Applying core concepts such as molecular structure and polarity to key spectroscopic characterisation techniques will give you the knowledge required to succeed in forensic chemical analysis modules later in your degree. You will receive hands-on training in a variety of laboratory techniques and spectroscopic instrumentation, as well as be introduced to the important topic of statistics in the interpretation and

You will be introduced to forensic science as a professional discipline, covering topics such as crime scene investigation, laboratory examination and the role of the expert witness in court. You will develop your communication skills by presenting data and summarising findings in formats suitable for different audiences, including laboratory-based examination forms and oral presentation work. You will be introduced to recovery and analysis techniques with emphasis on human identification.

This module aims to lay the foundations for your criminological studies and to ignite your 'criminological imagination'. The module introduces you to criminology as a subject, to where our understanding of 'crime' comes from, and to the ways in which criminological theories and ideas can help us to understand contemporary crime problems. You will also be introduced to theories of criminal justice and the work of, and relationships between, the main institutions of the criminal justice system.

This module introduces you to the ways in which criminologists and criminal justice professionals attempt to theorise, contextualise and respond to the most serious forms of criminal and harmful behaviour in society (including murder, other forms of homicide, 'public' and 'hidden' forms of violence and abuse, state violence, and environmental crimes). You will be applying theory to current real-world incidents and engaging with issues such as age, gender, ethnicity, social exclusion and inequali

You will learn the basics of computer programming through the teaching and use of fundamental python programming concepts that will allow you to apply these coding skills to a forensic context. You will then demonstrate how these employability programming skills can be used to solve a series of numerical problems faced by Forensic Scientists.

You will learn about the connections between people and research and the importance of ethics, good scientific practice, and collaboration. Together we will explore multiple different areas of science and where good practice has led to advancements in society. Through being exposed to multiple scientific fields you will be able to develop your critical thinking, learn to reflect on and challenge assumptions within science, and therefore thrive in your future research projects in later years of s

You will continue to learn about the importance of biological material in forensic casework and how this evidence has the potential to identifying individuals by DNA profiling. Fundamentals in DNA profiling techniques will be explored, its application in forensic investigations and the presentation of DNA evidence in court. You will complete a case-study assessment where you will gain experience of interpreting, evaluating, and presenting DNA evidence.

You will build on your Forensic Chemistry knowledge and learn about and gain experience with a range of modern analytical techniques and their importance in the detection of compounds in forensic materials. The techniques covered, such as chromatography and mass spectrometry, are fundamental in all toxicological investigations. You will develop essential skills through working as an individual and as a group in the lab and lab-based assessments to prepare you for Level 6, and to develop confiden

Building on the skills and knowledge gained in Forensic Chemistry: Molecules under Investigation, the Forensic Science Professional Toolkit, and Chemical Analysis and Detection, you will learn about the role of a forensic analyst in the investigation of drugs and drugs related crime. You will gain an understanding of the systematic abuse of drugs and alcohol and be introduced to the relevant legal issues. Aspects of pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics, the mode of action, and basic metaboli

You will further develop your CSI skills and learn the scientific basis behind the enhancement of different types of evidence found at a crime scene. You will learn the principles behind blood dynamics and blood spatter analysis; forensic imaging techniques as well as the chemical and physical enhancement of forensic marks, prints and impressions. You will develop these skills through practical lab work and through simulations. You will develop scientific writing skills to prepare you for Level

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to, and looks in detail at, how criminology has tried to understand the effects on crime and criminal justice of globalisation and other processes of social change associated with the coming of late modernity. The focus will be on issues and problems related to terrorism, state crimes, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

You will delve into the topic of counterfeits, fakes and forgeries and how forensic science can detect and prevent these crimes. You will learn the current issues surrounding topics such as document security, heritage security, counterfeit medicine and food fraud. You will investigate how chemical and analytical analysis can be used to detect these forgeries and will develop practical and reporting skills needed for these investigations. You will develop critical thinking skills needed to invest

In a competitive job market, practical skills and understanding workplace dynamics are crucial. This module allows you to gain hands-on experience, enhancing your employability, and the opportunity to gain valuable professional insights via a 75-hour placement. You will be supported by various activities to secure a role and can source your own placement or apply to university-sourced roles. This module offers flexibility on when and how you complete your placement, enabling you to balance your

This module aims to go behind the headlines and to answer some basic questions. What do we mean by policing? How does it relate to experiences and feelings of security? Who does policing and who are the police? How do the people and institutions responsible for policing relate to each other? What do the people we think of as the police actually do? And how is all of this changing as societies become more diverse, the threats to security more global in their origins and ways of responding to them

This module examines current and emerging challenges and issues in criminal justice policy, process and practice. You will examine case studies of specific contemporary examples of issues requiring a criminal justice response to prevent, deter or reduce problematic impacts and explore the ways in which you can contextualise, measure and respond to these challenges and issues, and consider the ways in which these challenges and issues may evolve in the future.

This module is designed for you if considering a career in Criminal Justice. It is a criminology module which builds on criminological knowledge acquired from previous study of the discipline. It provides you with an overview of careers in Criminal Justice and related fields. It supports you with conducting job searches in the Criminal Justice sector by enabling you to produce appropriate written vocational work (such as identification of skill sets, matching skill sets and experiences to job sp

This module builds on your forensic examination skills from all Level 4 and 5 core modules. You will continue to develop your ability to professionally examine and report evidence, building on skills that will be vital for work in a professional context. You will attend a simulated crime scene as a crime scene examiner; investigate the evidence as a forensic scientist and finally report your findings as an expert witness in our simulated courtroom.

This module is an opportunity for you to carry out a substantial piece of meaningful research. You will work alongside staff to undertake an authentic research project, which could include lab- or field-based projects, systematic reviews, pedagogic or desk-based research work. Through engagement with this module, you will be introduced to the approaches needed to perform scientific research and develop key skills that are routinely utilised by the forensic science research community.

You build on your forensic chemistry knowledge from Level 4 and 5 and apply these skills to the investigation of explosives and arson. This is combined with an introduction to the key skill of communicating your scientific findings in a court context. You will develop the ability to express your scientific findings and their interpretation to a variety of audiences, which will prepare you for giving evidence in court.

Building upon the Drugs of Abuse module in second year, you will examine the work of a forensic toxicologist. You will study the pharmacological journey of compounds through the body as a lead into the process of toxicological investigation. In addition to learning about the subject's legal aspects, the role of the analyst will be explored from sampling to the determination of toxins and poisons, with the use of toxicological cases and scenarios as authentic applications of the content.