12 | Forensic Science
BSc Forensic Science and Criminology (Single Honours)
UCAS Code F4L6
This single honours degree programme is designed to develop an understanding
of why crimes are committed and how we use science to investigate these.
This programme will provide you with a firm understanding of both Forensic
Science and Criminology and how they are used together to investigate crime.
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
In your first year you will study a variety
of modules designed to introduce you
to forensic science and criminology,
as well as providing you with the core
chemistry knowledge needed for the
remainder of the course. You will be
introduced to key forensic skills and
study modules providing a context for
crime from different perspectives and an
understanding of digital infrastructures,
such as the internet, and how these are
used to facilitate crime. You will learn
about the key spectroscopic techniques
used by the forensic scientist in the
analysis of trace evidence and the
statistical methods needed for data
analysis and interpretation of results.
We will also introduce you to the
biological aspects of forensic
science including the study of protein
biology, DNA, genetic markers and
an introduction to biological sample
preparation and analysis. These will be
complemented by dedicated modules
in criminology covering the criminal
justice system and the various agencies
involved, as well as the development
and consequences of modern
investigative techniques and how
criminal investigations are conducted
and managed. In the second year, the focus is to
develop the core themes within the
forensic science and criminology
disciplines that are directly relevant
to professional practice and related
evidence types. You will look at how
globalisation has affected crime and
the ways mental health issues are
classified and dealt with in the justice
system. You will learn about how
policing is organised, and the people
and institutions involved and discover
how social science research skills
are applied to the study of crime. In
the forensic science modules, you
will study the interpretation of DNA
profiles from biological material and
expand your understanding of chemical
separation techniques such as Gas
Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry
(GC-MS). These topics will be
complemented with modules covering
the chemistry and effect of illicit drugs
on the body and how we investigate
marks and impressions left at the crime
scene such as blood spatter patterns
and fingerprints. In your third year, you will undertake
a year-long forensics team research
project and an individual criminology
dissertation. You will also get to
experience the entire ‘forensic process’
from the collection of evidence at the
crime scene to its presentation in court
alongside studying topics such as
explosives and arson. In addition,
you will be able to choose option
modules from both Criminology and
Forensic Science.
“Since leaving Keele University, I joined
Nottinghamshire Police as a Crime Scene
Investigator (CSI), I was there for 4 years and more
recently joined Gloucestershire Police as Scenes of
Crime Officer (SOCO). I love my job and thank the
Keele degree course for the knowledge base and
practical confidence I was given.”
JEHANGIR BAIG, BSc FORENSIC SCIENCE AND CRIMINOLOGY
keele.ac.uk/forensic