Criminology and Forensic Investigation

Do you have a passion for understanding the intricacies of the criminal mind? Do you want to understand what causes criminals to offend, and how to bring offenders to justice through the practice of forensic investigation?

This programme was designed by experts with a wealth of real-world experience within the field of criminology and forensic investigation. You will benefit from their unwavering personal support throughout your course.

You will immerse yourself in core aspects of criminology to understand how and why crime occurs and how forensic investigation uncovers hidden details of crimes already committed. Using our cutting-edge laboratory facilities, you will learn the latest evidence enhancement techniques, gaining a toolkit of skills that will prepare you for a fascinating and fulfilling career.

Our strong links with criminal justice and community-based organisations and groups in Cumbria will provide you with excellent volunteering opportunities and job prospects.

COURSE OVERVIEW

With hands-on experience and access to industry-standard equipment, you'll be primed to lead and innovate in the criminal justice field. From immersive simulations to expert-led research, every step prepares you for a dynamic career.

You will discover the foundational principles of criminology and forensic investigation in your first year (Level 4), covering crime scene investigation, criminal justice institutions, and core theories. Your second year will see you explore advanced analysis techniques (Level 5), delving into crime causation, punishment, and rehabilitation. You will refine forensic skills and learn to use digital tools for evidence evaluation and presentation.

By your final year, you will have evolved into a multi-skilled practitioner (Level 6), conducting independent research, leading complex investigations, and presenting expert witness evidence. Throughout your journey, we will support you to develop digital research capabilities and ethical awareness, preparing you for diverse professional careers.

The diverse skills you’ll acquire will equip you with the skills needed to navigate the various aspects of Criminal Justice practice, helping you to stand out from other candidates in the job market.

ON THIS COURSE YOU WILL

• Gain the knowledge and confidence to operate as a multi-skilled and ethical criminal justice practitioner.

• Learn to critically apply key elements of criminological theory, forensic principles, and research to a range of practical and professional contexts in a digitally developing world.

• Be able to develop creative, innovative, and critical approaches to provide solutions, generate ideas, and communicate issues aligned with criminological and forensic practice.

• Be able to perform techniques involved in crime scene investigation whilst operating within a quality management system.

• Engage critically with contemporary social problems, recognising systemic and cultural discrimination, social inequalities and how these issues interact with crime, deviance, and harm locally, nationally and globally.

This course will equip you with a broad range of skills which can be deployed in a range of Criminal Justice careers, as well as in private sector and non-governmental organisations. It can also lead to postgraduate-level study options.

You will progress through the stages of Discovery and Exploration, to Evolve into a well-rounded expert, gaining skills in Crime Scene investigation and management, Criminological theories and research, and solid grounding in matters relating to the Criminal Justice System.

Year One

• Crime Scene Investigation
• Crime and Deviance
• Criminal Justice System
• Professional Skills for Criminal Justice

Year Two

• Forensic Examination
• Expert Witness
• Crime, Punishment and Rehabilitation
• Exploring Research

Year Three

• Leading Complex and Major Crime Scene Investigation
• Victimology
• Death Investigation - Optional
• The Outsiders - Optional
• Dissertation

Our approach to assessment is centred on authenticity. Forms of assessment reflect what criminal justice practitioners might typically do in their professional roles, creating opportunities for you to develop contemporary knowledge and skills needed in a range of careers. The mix of assessment methods includes:

• Crime scene reports
• Witness statements
• Practical skills assessments
• Reflective oral presentations
• Reflexive debriefs
• Podcasts
• Portfolios
• Real World Case Study Scenarios
• Reports
• Oral presentations
• Poster presentations
• Dissertation

Within this authentic approach, formative and summative assessment is used. Formative assessment helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses to improve your learning. Summative assessment is designed to enable you to engage deeply with the subject and is used to evaluate your achievement of module learning outcomes. Where individuals may be disadvantaged by an assessment method, reasonable adjustments are considered, while ensuring fairness across the full cohort and adherence to professional standards.

Informal and formal feedback mechanisms are included within the learning design to support your progression and professional development. The feedback will demonstrate how the grade was derived in relation to performance against grading criteria and identify ways for you to improve in future.