Criminal Justice and Forensic Science

OVERVIEW

Kick-start your career in the criminal justice system with UWS’s BSc (Hons) Criminal Justice and Forensic Science programme. You will develop expertise in criminal justice and the forensic examination of evidence. The programme draws on modules from the existing successful programmes in Criminal Justice and Forensic Science. This will prepare you for a career in the criminal justice system in policing, criminology or as a forensic examiner capable of analysing and interpreting evidence from crime scenes.

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

• This programme will equip you with the skills and knowledge required to work as a forensic examiner in a lab or crime scene.
• Study the processes and practices of the criminal justice system.
• Learning is consolidated through site visits, workshops, role-play and presentations.
• The programme will focus not only on Scotland, but the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond. You will also acquire a range of key transferable critical,
analytical and evaluative skills.
• Guest lectures from practitioners, case-based projects and work placements will increase your employability.
• This programme is recognised by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

PROGRAMME DETAILS
This programme will provide you with a practical understanding of the techniques used in the forensic examination of evidence, including material from crime scenes, drugs and DNA evidence. The chance to present evidence in moot court scenarios and group projects will help you develop the presentational, time management and IT skills sought after by employers. As a graduate of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science from UWS, not only are you equipped with the specific knowledge and skills associated with the criminal justice system and the wider scientific community, but key transferable skills required by employers.

CAREERS

As a BSc (Hons) Criminal Justice and Forensic Science graduate, you’ll have expertise in both criminal justice and science giving you a wide range of career
possibilities. Graduates of this programme will be well prepared for careers in areas such as:
• Crime scene examination
• Police and prison services
• Courts and restorative justice
• Drug and alcohol services
• Customs and excise
Postgraduate study is an important option for some careers including forensic science, education, alcohol and drug studies or criminology.

Year 1
In year 1 you will study the differences between deviant and criminal behaviour, the foundations of criminal law, and the way in which the criminal justice system operates.You will also cover core forensic science, data analysis and biomolecular science.
Forensic topics introduced include drink driving, drugs, fingerprint development, explosions and crime scene investigation.
Laboratory work is an important part of your studies, practical exercises include microscopy, biochemical tests, forensic anthropology, fingerprint development and CSI. Other activities will develop transferable skills, these include writing a report on a
high-profile case, making a poster presentation, participating in a mock court and giving a presentation on a crime scene.
Learning and teaching will involve scheduled lectures, workshops, laboratory classes as well as independent study. Extensive use is made of the virtual learning environment Moodle, to deliver teaching materials and complete assessments.
Year 2
In Year 2 the theoretical underpinnings for understanding policing and contemporary perspectives on crime are studied.
Science study will build your knowledge of topics important to forensic science such as statistical evaluation of DNA evidence, laboratory analysis and crime scene investigation. Practical skills are key for careers in forensic science and they are further developed with a range of practical activities that reflect the diverse work of forensic scientists.
Year 3
In year 3 crime scene expertise is developed with topics such as contamination prevention, trace evidence recovery and presumptive tests for blood and drugs. Laboratory classes will focus on trace evidence identification and drug analysis. Criminal justice studies include policing communities and prisons and penology. Normal teaching schedules are supplemented by a variety of activities such as group work, guest speakers from industry and employability activities.
Following-on from your Year 3 studies, there is the option to undertake a 12-month, paid, work experience placement. Optional 12-month work placement. These placements are dependent on availability but could be spent working in a laboratory or in a criminal justice setting.
Year 4
In year 4 specialist modules will deepen your understanding how physical and biological evidence is recovered and examined. You will carry out a major crime scene investigation activity and present the results in a mock court. The effect of crime on society and victims is studied and there are options to study topics such as global security. A major part of your studies will be a supervised research project relating to forensic science and/or criminal justice in a topic of your choice. To assist our students in their research they have access to excellent computing facilities with the latest software for crime scene investigation, statistical analysis of evidence and research literature searching.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, workshops and practical classes.
You will also have the opportunity to take part in group work and independent learning to develop your transferable skills such as research, presentation, communication and working as part of a team.
Extensive use is made of the virtual learning environment as well as the latest software packages.
This degree is assessed using a variety of assessment methods including:
• Written examinations
• Coursework
• Practical assessment

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS