forensic investigation
DESCRIPTION
BSc Honours in Forensic Investigation Programme Leader:- Dr John MacLachlan Deputy Programme Leader:- Dr Moyra McNaughtan. Forensic Investigation. ‘the use of science in the investigation of crime by the police and by the courts as evidence in resolving an issue on any subsequent trial’. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Forensic Investigation
‘the use of science in the investigation of crime by the police and by the courts as evidence in resolving an issue on any subsequent trial’
Forensic Investigation
Following a crash a car driver claims that the large quantity of pills found in the boot of his car are vitamin tablets….but are they?
A camper van is on fire at the side of a road; is it arson?
What’s the powder in the bag? Drugs?
Forensic Investigation
Were the bullets found at the scene of a crime fired by the gun found in the attic of a suspects house?
Do the fibres found at the scene of a crime match those from a suspect?
Is the accused the rapist?
Has a crime been committed?
In most cases there is no doubt… (eye–witness?)
…but in a number of occasions only a scientific examination of the items can confirm this.
Analytical techniques used…
Chromatography High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS)
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2.50uV(x10,000)
Spectroscopic Techniques used..
Atomic Absorption (AA)
Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR)
UV/vis
Fluorescence
Microscopy Light Microscopy Comparison Microscope Confocal Microscopy Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
What’s in the programme?
24 modules over 4 years
Chemistry 15 or 17
Biology 3 or 5
Law 2
Maths/Stats 1
Physics 1
The Chemical Sciences with key Biological Sciences are studied in depth & form the core of the programme
Options give students the choice of an Environmental Forensics or Forensic Biology strand
Hands-on approach Graduates eligible/recognised
for RSC membership
Programme StructureBSc (Hons) Forensic InvestigationEnvironmental & Forensic Biology Options
Level Semester A Semester B1 Chemistry (0.5)
Maths & Stats (0.5)
*Introduction to Forensic
Investigation - Professional
Orientation and Practice
Human Biology Chemistry (0.5) Maths & Stats
(0.5)
Business Law 1 Physics
2 Physical Chemistry
Civil and Criminal
Procedure
Chemical Analysis
Organic Chemistry 1
Forensic lnorganic Chemistry
The Gene
3 Instrumental Analytical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry 2
Options: see below
Forensic Analysis
Chemical Data Analysis and Management
Major Incidents and Engineering
Failures
4 Project Forensic Microscopy
Advanced Techniques in
Forensic Analysis
Project Options: see below
Advanced Forensic Biology
OptionsLevel Forensic
BiologyEnvironmental
Forensics * Includes psychology contribution
3A Essential Molecular Biology
Environmental Chemistry
4B Toxicology Environmental Forensic Analysis
Forensic Area in Criminal Cases The Police Service Environmental Protection Food and Drinks companies Pharmaceuticals Oil and Gas Industry Health Services
Also Areas which are not degree specific,
e.g. Management
Teaching
Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities
Forensic Area Forensic Science, Forensic Accident Investigation; Fire
Investigation.
Law Enforcement & Protection Police Service; Criminal Justice System; Security Companies;
Customs and Excise; Prison Service; Immigration Service; Armed Forces
Environmental Forensic Areas Environmental Regulatory Compliance; Waste treatment;
Recycling; Pollution Monitoring and Prevention; Environmental Protection Officer.
Career Opportunities continued.. Public Areas & Consumer Protection
Environmental Health Officer; Health & Safety Inspector; Safety Officer; Public Health Laboratory Scientist
Chemical Analysis Posts in manufacturing industry; the pharmaceutical sector; food
and drinks industries; environmental protection; oil and gas sector
Quality Assurance Insurance
Loss Adjusting; Claims Investigation; Accident Investigation Patent Area
Patent Examiner; Intellectual Property Policy Directorate etc.
Not degree specific areas:- Management, teaching
Some examples of where our graduates work….
Strathclyde Police Forensic Services SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) Public Analyst Quintiles (Pharmaceutical company) GlaxoSmithKline Corus Diageo Teacher training Further education – MSc & PhD
Opportunity to complete part of your studies at one of our partner institutions in:
Europe
Canada
USA.
Study Abroad