Anglia Ruskin University

Level 0 core modules

• Biological Principles
• Core Skills 1
• Core Skills 2
• Chemical Principles Part One
• Chemical Principles Part Two
• Foundation Biology
• Foundation Mathematics

Level 1 core modules

• Introduction to Forensic Methodologies

• Perceptions of Crime

  This module will introduce you to the subject of criminology. Basic theories of positivism and classicism etc. will be covered at length including recent work that has been published by the leading academics in each field. Historical aspects of crime and punishment will be studied in order to allow you a greater understanding of the origins of these theories, and how they have been introduced to the criminal justice system throughout time. The supposition of 'nature versus nurture' will be examined in depth, along with other related concepts, such as 'the anthropological factor' and 'the female offender'. These ideas will be related to contemporary models of managing crime and disorder, both within the UK and worldwide. The module will be assessed by two written assignments of 1,500 words each.

• UK Law and Legal Systems

  This module will equip you with knowledge of the different legal systems within the United Kingdom and the different requirements of these systems. It will look at the development of law in the English, Scottish and Northern Ireland legal systems and will examine the Jury system and the investigation of crime with each of these systems. Close examination will be made of the powers relevant to the Scene of Crime Officer/Forensic Scientist. Detailed examination will be made of the laws of evidence as they relate to the S.O.C.O./Forensic Scientist and also of the codes of practice of the Crown Prosecution Service. Access to resources will be through our library and digital library. The assessment will be through two written assignments.

• Physical Criminalistics

• Introduction to Police Photography

  This module will introduce you to the use of photographic evidence and other image recording methods used in the documentation of police and forensic evidence. It will involve practical work on simulated cases in addition to conventional lectures and tutorials using photographic equipment available within our department. The module will be assessed through a written assignment/portfolio.

• Identification Techniques

  The correct identification of a person, be it an offender or victim, is of utmost important in any police investigation. This module will examine issues with relation to identification issues which are perceived to play such an important part in the identification of an offender. Different methods of identification will examined, including those which may be well known to you. but also some which might not be. Not only will the advantages of such identification methods be examined, but also the disadvantages, which can lead to problems, if not understood correctly, at a later stage in court. The module will be assessed by a written assessment and a poster presentation on a relevant topic.

Level 2 core modules

• Forensic Management

  Forensic science in all its forms is a diverse collection of human knowledge and experience involving both the prosecution and defence, in which the correct use of scientific methods enables the court to reach a reasonable verdict with minimal dependency on subjective witnesses. The use of management techniques throughout the forensic process, in particular the crime scene, ensures that the court can be assured that reliable and accurate examination has been undertaken, at all times maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the system. In addition, the module will examine how the crime scene manager is responsible for the development of staff and the control of systems, policies and procedures. Learning resources will be available through our library. Assessment will be through coursework and an examination.

• Community Safety

  This module will firstly examine the impact that the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 has had on the way that crime related issues are viewed. The different partners within the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP), such as the police, fire and rescue, local authorities and NHS, will be discussed and their roles when dealing with crime. Both situational and social crime prevention theories will be covered in depth, including the 'SARA' technique for problem solving. The 'pattern analysis triangle' and 'routine activity theory' will particularly be covered in depth. Methodologies used for conducting crime prevention surveys will also be examined and how these are utilised by CDRP partners. Assessment for this module will be through a crime prevention survey and written assessment.

• Profiling and Analytical Skills

  The collection, collation and evaluation of data in order to analyse patterns of crime is an important discipline in the detection of crime. The study of data and crime patterns from different sources of information or intelligence builds up a picture of criminal suspects and their activities to help prevent future crimes being committed. This module examines the methods of collection and the analytical tools which are available to help perform this important task. During the course of this module, examination will be made of actual cases and how profiling and analytical techniques have assisted in the detection of the offender(s). Assessment for this module will be by two written assessments and an oral presentation.

• E-crime

  This module introduces you to the topics within the three main areas of e-crime namely: Technology: malware, spam, phishing, denial of service and other types of 'invasion'. Computer Crime Methodologies discusses an interdisciplinary approach, use of case studies, research, investigation practices, social engineering, hacking methodologies etc. Criminal Law: computer misuse, pornography, 'identity theft' etc. It investigates and provides guidance on the issues of risk exposure for individuals, electronic commerce businesses; offenders and abuses; criminal opportunities; anatomy new technology crime; evidential aspects; tracking and tracing; involved parties in investigating computer crimes; the legal aspect of computer crime; cross-border aspects; corporate planning and response - from evidence collection to business continuity; testing vulnerabilities. Ultimately the module introduces the need for a security policy approach to the issues involved. Assessment will be by written assignments and group presentation.

• Police and Forensic Investigation

• Project Preparation

  The main purpose of this module is to prepare you to carry out a project in your final year. The precise content of the module will depend upon the project itself, but common features are likely to be: the selection of a suitable project, usually with advice from the potential supervisor; instruction on how to use relevant sources of published information; carrying out a literature survey on the subject of the planned project; the writing of a literature review and project plan. Where appropriate, you will gain instruction in hazard assessment. Apart from the first week of the module, which will be a formal class session in which details of the module are given to you, the module will be managed by you. The time will be spent in planning the project by reference to the literature. You will be allotted a supervisor, who will meet with you on a regular and scheduled basis to advise and review progress. You will also gain experience of projects by having the opportunity to listen to the project presentations by final year students. Assessment of the module will be in the form of an essay, which constitutes a proposal for the final year project.

Level 3 core modules

• Crime Scene Analysis

  This module aims to provide you with the theoretical and practical skills necessary for examining crime scenes and analysing the evidence collected. Evidence recovery will be covered in depth in addition to other analytical techniques. You will undertake practical crime scene examinations were you will be expected to put into practice what you have been taught. The module will also include a witness statement and a moot court, during which you will be expected to give evidence in chief and be cross examined. Assessment will be by a practical scene investigation, written statement of evidence and a moot court presentation.

• Youth Justice

  This module will explore areas relating to youth crime and the different methods in which they are managed within the criminal justice system. The difference in treatment between young offenders and adult offenders within the court system will be discussed and the reasoning behind such policies. Legislation arising from the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 will be covered, such as anti-social behaviour orders and the more informal anti-social behaviour contract and how these have been extended through the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. The different roles found within the Youth Offending Service will be explored at length, allowing you to gain an understanding into the diverse services that can be provided to young offenders. The module will also examine the various orders given by the courts that they must supervise, such as Reparation Orders and Supervision Orders in addition to the Pre-Sentence reports that they must complete for the courts. Detention and Training Orders will be discussed and the different facilities in which those subjected to such an order may be placed. Criminal Law Criminal liability is imposed on conduct of to both the general interests of society. The types of conduct which are considered criminal vary from society to society. As general attitudes change over time, as so do attitudes to the kinds of behaviour that is labelled as criminal. It is therefore important to realise that 'criminal' is no more than a label attached to different types of behaviour the different times in different societies. This module looks in-depth at the criminal law in England and Wales and at the powers that the police possess to bring offenders before the court. Examination will be made of various aspects of the criminal act such as actus reus and mens rea and of various types of common criminal offences, together with cases in which issues of note have been decided and the affect of these decisions on other cases. Assessment for this module will be by coursework and written assessment.

• Forensic Pathology and Sexual Offence Investigation

• Criminal Law

  The individual final project module enables you to engage in a substantial piece of individual research and/or product development work, focused on a topic relevant to their specific discipline. The topic may be drawn from a variety of sources including: Anglia Ruskin research groups, previous/current work experience, the company in which they are currently employed, an Anglia Ruskin lecturer suggested topic or a professional subject of their specific interest (if suitable supervision is available). The project topic will be assessed for suitability to ensure sufficient academic challenge and satisfactory supervision by an academic member of staff. The chosen topic will require you to identify/formulate problems and issues, conduct literature reviews, evaluate information, investigate and adopt suitable development methodologies, determine solutions, develop hardware, software and/or media artefacts as appropriate, process data, critically appraise and present their finding using a variety of media. Regular meetings with the project supervisor should take place, so that the project is closely monitored and steered in the right direction. The assessment will normally include a substantial written report.