COURSE CURRICULUM

The Forensic Investigation degree is structured to build expertise progressively across three years, combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills essential for professional practice. In year one, students develop a strong foundation in criminal justice through case studies, while gaining hands-on experience in crime scene processing and digital evidence handling. Modules introduce key forensic scientific techniques and explore core policing theory, preparing students for the investigative and legal contexts of forensic work. In year two, learning advances to more specialised areas, including advanced digital evidence processing and investigative skills, with a focus on handling complex cases. Students study bodies of evidence and marks and traces, enabling them to identify and interpret physical evidence such as impressions, tool marks, and biological traces. Research skills in forensics are also developed, providing the tools to conduct methodical and evidence-based investigations. In the final year, students engage in the collection and analysis of scene evidence, honing their ability to apply scientific methods in real-world scenarios. The Expert Witness and the Legal System module trains them to present findings effectively in court, a vital skill for professional credibility. A major forensic research project allows for in-depth study of a chosen topic, while the Modern Forensics module ensures graduates are equipped with up-to-date knowledge of emerging technologies, methods, and challenges in the field.