BSc (Hons) Forensic Science with Foundation Year

This module introduces students to the fundamental chemical principles as applied to forensic science. Students will gain a grounding in atomic structure, bonding, chemical reactions, analytical principles, and laboratory skills relevant to forensic investigations. Practical sessions reinforce core chemical techniques, data handling, and good laboratory practice essential for more advanced forensic and analytical work.

This module introduces you to the principles and practice of forensic science, with a focus on the professional standards and processes that guide the work of forensic scientists in the UK and beyond. You will learn about the role of the Forensic Science Regulator, ISO standards and laboratory accreditation, and why these are important for ensuring reliable results and public confidence in forensic evidence. You will develop an appreciation of different types of evidence commonly seen in investigations, such as biological materials, digital data, physical impressions, and trace materials such as hair, fibres, glass, and particulates. Through practical work and case studies, you will start to see how this evidence is located, recorded, recovered, analysed and interpreted, and begin to understand the challenges of presenting findings in the justice system. Practical sessions and seminars will give you the chance to apply what you have learned, reflect on real cases, and develop the professional awareness and ethical approach expected of forensic scientists.

This extended induction module supports your transition into university life and introduces you to your chosen academic discipline. It helps you build confidence, develop a strong academic identity, and understand the expectations of university study. You’ll explore key academic practices including independent learning, digital literacy, and ethical academic conduct—such as referencing, plagiarism awareness, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in line with university policy. The module is structured around seven themes identified by students as essential to their university experience: Ready to Study: Clear guidance on expectations, transitions, and workload planning. Academic Skills and Educational Gain: Development of foundational academic skills including time management, critical thinking, and digital fluency. Career Readiness and Professional Identity: Early exploration of career pathways, CV building, and professional behaviours. Personal Development and Belonging: Activities that foster confidence, inclusion, and identity within the university community. Social Engagement and Community Building: Opportunities to connect with peers, staff, and wider university life. Feedback and Reflective Practice: Structured opportunities to receive, apply, and reflect on feedback to support growth. Wellbeing and Student Support: Embedded access to holistic support services and strategies for success. This module will also develop subject-specific attributes: Laboratory Skills: Opportunities to develop competence in essential skills such as pipetting and microscopy. Scientific Literature Searching: searching for and identifying appropriate scientific literature. Data Literacy: data manipulation and presentation, including basic statistical tests This module lays the foundation for your future development, including the Level 5 Professional Development module/embedded placement experiences.

This module builds on your technical knowledge of bulk drug chemistry towards critically analysing and interpreting complex biofluid evidence related to drugs, alcohol, corrosives and poisons. The content spans the UK legal framework and Coroner’s court perspectives on drugs, alcohol and noxious substances. Practicals will develop your technical skills in advanced analytical instrumentation, preventing sample contamination throughout the chain of custody. Data will be processed and interpreted from a range of chromatographic systems (GC-FID/MS & LC/MS). The quality assurance framework will enhance your understanding of the strengths and limitations of such toxicology data in real forensic investigations. You will study pharmacokinetics and bodily fluids commonly encountered in cases of poisoning, overdose, accidental exposures and postmortem. The case study approach combines theory with practical laboratory and IT data sessions. You will apply advanced techniques to examine and interpret toxicological evidence, learning how to collect, prepare samples, analyse, process and interpret complex data with scientific rigour. Practical activities include generating and interpreting drug profiles from high throughput analysis, examining multiple biological evidence types, and presenting your findings clearly and professionally in scientific reports for court purposes. The UK Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) references “Drugs, Toxicology and Noxious Materials” as a recognised operational grouping, showing that these materials are handled within the regulated forensic science system. This module content aligns with the guidelines on toxicology FSAs spanning drugs, alcohol and noxious substances currently being established by the Forensic Regulators Act 2021 and associated Code of Practice controls, as developed by the UK and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists.

This module builds on your foundational knowledge in Forensic Biology to explore the analysis and interpretation of complex biological evidence. The focus here is on the main approaches in Human Identification, which are utilized in general Forensic Science as well as Mass Fatality Incident Identification. One focus of the module is on advanced DNA concepts, including the prevention of contamination, interpretation of DNA profiles, statistical evaluation, and understanding evidential value of DNA evidence in real forensic investigations. Prints left by friction ridge skin, such as fingerprints, their analysis, comparison to references will be the second area of study, developing an understanding of their information content and evidentiary value. You will explore forensic odontology, how it is applied to human identification, and the methodology involved. You will also learn concepts of Biometrics and the inter-connection between lab-based analysis results, database searches and how their outcomes are arrived at. The module combines theory with practical laboratory sessions. You will apply advanced techniques to examine and interpret biological evidence, learning how to collect, analyse, and interpret complex samples with scientific rigour, while preserving their integrity and understanding the strengths and limitations of evidence in real forensic investigations. Practical activities include generating and interpreting DNA profiles, examining multiple biological evidence types, demonstrating an appreciation for standards and best practice involved, and presenting your findings clearly and professionally.

This module builds on the foundational skills and reflective practices introduced in the Level 4 'Succeeding at University' module, supporting students to deepen their professional identity and career readiness. It is designed to support learners in developing the knowledge, skills, and reflective practices essential for continuous professional growth in a dynamic and evolving workplace. Through a mix of practical experience and professional development sessions, this module will enable learners to explore essential themes such as personal effectiveness, leadership, communication, ethical practice, and lifelong learning. Drawing directly from work experience and/or professional setting, learners will reflect on their real-world experiences to deepen their understanding of what it means to grow and succeed in their chosen field. Students may draw on case studies or sector examples to connect theory to practice. Learners will engage in self-assessment, goal setting, and action planning to identify their strengths and areas for development. The module emphasizes reflective practice as a tool for professional learning and encourages learners to critically evaluate their experiences and performance in real-world contexts. Students will also develop their awareness and understanding of quality assurance in forensic science and the role of regulation and the Forensic Science Regulator. Through the application of international standards together with reference to guidance and best practice manuals published by organisations such as the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Organization of Scientific Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC), students will gain a deep understanding of measures to ensure quality in forensic science.

This module provides students with an in-depth understanding of the role of forensic anthropology in medico-legal and humanitarian contexts. Focusing on the identification and analysis of skeletal remains, the module equips students with the practical skills necessary to determine whether a material is bone, and if so, whether it is human or non-human. Through a combination of hands-on laboratory sessions, lectures, and case-based discussions, students will learn to recognise and classify skeletal elements, assess their significance, and contribute to building a biological profile. Students will explore the diverse environments in which forensic anthropologists operate, including crime scenes, mass fatality incidents, and archaeological recoveries. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the protocols for forensic recovery, ethical considerations, and the interdisciplinary collaboration essential to the field. By the end of the module, students will be able to critically assess bone identification scenarios, demonstrate competence in distinguishing human from animal bone, and contextualise their findings within forensic investigations. This module prepares students for advanced study or careers in forensic science, archaeology, and related disciplines, bridging theory with real-world application in the forensic sciences.

The honours project module will give you the opportunity to undertake an extended, problem-focused, original investigation related to your overall programme of study and is a requirement for the award of an Honours degree. The project will provide you with a choice based on your interests, modules studied previously, staff expertise and physical resources within the School. You will undertake either a laboratory-based, systematic review, science communications, educational or bioinformatics-type project. The project will develop your ability to plan and execute research, analyse quantitative and/or qualitative data, and critically evaluate findings. You’ll learn to present results clearly and coherently, using appropriate scientific formats and conventions. It will provide a valuable opportunity to showcase your problem-solving, scientific writing, and data-handling skills, preparing you for future employment or postgraduate study. 

This module introduces students to the scientific examination and interpretation of marks, traces, and physical evidence commonly encountered in forensic investigations. Building on core forensic science principles, the module covers the recovery, analysis, and evaluation of a wide range of evidence types which could include toolmarks, footwear impressions, ballistics, gunshot residue, glass, fibres, plant material, and soils. Students will explore the scientific and evidential value of a variety of evidence types, considering factors such as transfer, persistence, and reliability in the context of criminal investigations. The module combines theoretical lectures with hands-on practical sessions, enabling students to apply forensic techniques in a controlled laboratory setting. Practical work includes the recovery, examination, and comparison of marks and physical evidence, as well as exercises in documenting and interpreting findings. Students will also learn to evaluate evidential significance, critically assess limitations, and understand the role of evidence in supporting investigative and legal processes. Emphasis is placed on topics like contamination prevention, quality control, and clear record-keeping. By the end of the module, students will have developed practical analytical skills, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate forensic findings confidently, preparing them for further study in forensic science and careers in laboratory-based forensic roles.