Crime and Investigative Studies

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Accessibility statement

FdSc

Intermediate award(s): CertHE

Full-Time

This course is available in Clearing, call us on 0845 271 3333 for more information

Course overview

Many students have become interested in the field of crime and forensic science and thus choose to study the subject at degree level. However there are a number of students who are interested in the subject, but do not have either the qualifications or the ability within the pure science subjects that form an integral part of the forensic science degree. Therefore these students are unable to study a forensic related subject and have to choose an alternative option.

Our FdSc Crime and Investigative Studies course aims to provide a route for you to study this subject, but from a non-scientific angle. It aims to combine the scene examination part of forensic science with other crime related subject areas, such as policing, community safety and intelligence, as well as the necessary legal aspects that are vital. Graduates from our course will therefore be able to enter a variety of employment areas within the criminal justice system.

Module guide

Core modules

Introduction to Criminalistics

Criminalistics is the core discipline of forensic science, especially in North America where it is synonymous with forensic science. The study is built upon one basic premise, that every contact or action leaves a trace (Locard's Principle). As scientific methodologies have improved over the years, so the nature of what constitutes a trace has changed considerably. This module introduces you to the main categories of forensic evidence (finger and other body prints, fibres, hairs, glass and paint fragments, impressions of tools, gun discharge residues, and body fluids) and will emphasise the importance of rigorous crime scene management and proper methods of evidence recovery. The relative evidential value of the various kinds of recovered trace material will be evaluated, and this will lead on to a brief introduction to the statistical interpretation of such evidence. Assessment will be by laboratory book and assignment.
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.
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 Legal Systems and Law for Forensic Scientists

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.
Introduction to Police and Forensic 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.
Case Studies (including PDP)

Case Studies enable you to gain an understanding in relation to how a criminal case is dealt with, starting with the investigation of the crime scene right through the process to the appearance of a defendant at court. It will look at the investigation issues both legal and forensic that affects the investigation of a crime and will make reference to legal findings in relation to specific cases. You will also gain knowledge of presentation techniques, which will be used not only in this module but in various others in this pathway. This will also include examination of body language. In addition, you will undertake research in both case and legal issues. Assessment for this module will be by written assignment and oral presentation. For the PDP element assessment will be by written assessment.
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.
Police Studies and Forensic Investigations

This module will explore the many different roles found within the modern police service, such as dog handlers, CID, scenes of crime, firearms officers, and how these may be used within a police investigation. This module also aims to provide you with the skills necessary to organise and manage a criminal investigation. You will be provided with the basic outline of a criminal case from which you will have to carry out your own investigationt. The investigation will not only involve decisions being made over which forensic samples should be analysed, but also regarding witnesses to be interviewed and statements to be taken.
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 your 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.
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.

Year two optional modules

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 with regard to 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
Victimology

This module aims to provide you with a good understanding of what a 'victim' is and what such victims may experience when dealing with the criminal justice system, coupled with the measurements that are in place to help them. Organisations, such as Victim Support will be explored, and the services that they offer to victims of all crime. The Witness Service will also be studied to give you a realistic understanding of what support victims of crime can expect when giving evidence in court. In addition to this, the Victim Personal Statement Scheme will be covered, and the effect that this has on both the victim and members of the court that listen to them. The area of restorative justice will be discussed in detail and the recent Government proposals on the subject, allowing victims to confront their offenders. Other offence-specific victim support, such as sexual offence referral centres, will also be discussed in order that you are aware of the different support available for victims of different crime types, and how these may vary depending on geographical location. The module will be assessed by a oral presentation and a written assignment.
Work-based Module

This module supports you in the preparation and submission of a work-based investigation worth 15 credits, involving 150 hours of your commitment. Where the mode of assessment negotiated includes a final report, this report will not exceed the equivalent of 3,000 words. The module will be negotiated on a student-by-student basis and may include work-based supervisors who will assist in the correct choice of subject for the you to undertake research.

Assessment

Assessment for each module is as indicated under the module outline and includes:

written examinations
essays and portfolios of work
work produced from and as a consequence of practical classes
student presentations (oral)
poster presentations
role playing.

Facilities

All courses are taught in our modern and well-equipped classrooms and facilities, including our 'crime scene' room.

Work placements

It is envisaged that some distance learning students who are already working in the criminal justice environment may undertake a work-based module as mentioned previously.

Associated careers

Graduates from our course will be able to gain employment in a variety of areas within the criminal justice system, including community safety officers, intelligence and analytical posts, youth and anti-social behaviour workers, other crime and disorder reduction partnership (CDRP) positions, as well as the more obvious roles, such as police officers, police community support officers, crime investigators and crime scene examiners.