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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0.25

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0.75

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1.75

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2.25

2.50uV(x10,000)

Spectroscopic Techniques used..

Atomic Absorption (AA)

Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR)

UV/vis

Fluorescence

DNA Analysis

Microscopy Light Microscopy Comparison Microscope Confocal Microscopy Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

Forensic Laboratories

June 2009

September 2009

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

Chem

istry Biology

the use of science in the investigation of crime

Speak to us about the varied career opportunities in this area