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Postgraduate study
Forensic Radiography

Forensic Radiography PgCert/PgDip/MSc

Develop your knowledge and skills in forensic imaging, supporting you in your distance learning experience wherever you are in the world - for radiographers, radiographic technologists, and other forensic imaging professionals.

 

Course overview

Accredited

You develop a forensic protocol that adheres to relevant guidance and legislation and gain skills in producing images that are acceptable in court, by learning about the requirements for high-quality evidence. You also learn about the imaging of both children and adults for suspected physical abuse, the use of post-mortem cross-sectional imaging as an alternative to invasive autopsy, using imaging to locate forensic evidence such as drug smuggling and ballistic material, identification of the deceased, and age assessments for human trafficking or illegal immigration.

The PgCert develops your skills, enabling you to undertake forensic imaging in your department and comply with published forensic radiography guidelines. The PgDip and MSc develop further advanced forensic imaging skills in mass fatality incidents and disaster victim identification, and the skills you need to undertake independent research in a practice area of your choice. During your third year (MSc), you use your skills to contribute to the forensic imaging knowledge base, undertaking an independent research project.

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Course details

Course structure

Year 1 core modules (PgCert)

Medico-legal Issues in Forensic Imaging Practice

This module covers the medico-legal issues that are pertinent to forensic radiographers/technologists and which are the foundation of forensic practice. Topics covered include continuity of evidence, standards of digital evidence, statements and documentation, presenting evidence in court, the role of the expert witness, and health and safety.

This module will facilitate you to be critical about what you read and how you apply it to your practice, to be articulate and confident to engage with others in debate and to incorporate necessary changes to your department’s protocol, to be adaptable in utilising a range of learning activities, and to be aspiring to establish best practice in forensic imaging. In addition, when learning about the topic evidence, you will be facilitated to be articulate and confident in presenting evidence, be critical in reflecting on how you prepare evidence, statements, and present evidence in court, and be adaptable, aspiring and creative in developing new approaches to managing digital evidence in your department.

Principles of Forensic Imaging (Radiographers)

Topics covered include imaging modalities, minimally invasive autopsy, suspected physical abuse (paediatrics and vulnerable adults), injury processes and pathology, illegal immigration and human trafficking, drug packers, identification of the deceased - fingerprints, DNA, anthropology, odontology, radiography, and roles within the multidisciplinary team.

This module will facilitate you to be critical reading research and how you apply it to your practice, to be articulate and confident in presenting forensic information to specialist and non-specialist audiences, to be critical and adaptable in your use of imaging modalities in forensic practice, and to be creative and aspiring to enhance your own forensic practice.

 

and one optional module (PgCert)

Minimally Invasive Autopsy

This module is for radiographers/technologists who would like to further enhance their cross-sectional imaging skills in order to provide a minimally invasive autopsy service. As the public is increasingly rejecting the conventional autopsy, there is greater demand for minimally invasive autopsy, using cross-sectional imaging technologies. You will learn about post-mortem computerised tomography - protocols, techniques, post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging, post-mortem angiography, image interpretation and pathology, post-mortem biopsies, pulmonary ventilation, role of the radiographer in dealing with the bereaved, service provision, and governance.

This module will facilitate you to be confident and critical in the application of research to your own practice, to be aspiring and creative in developing your skills to provide a post-mortem imaging service, to be adaptable in using your computerised tomography skills and knowledge in post-mortem imaging practice, and to be confident, critical, and articulate in presenting aspects of post-mortem imaging to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Paediatric Forensic Imaging

This module is designed for radiographers and technologists who primarily work in the paediatric setting or who want to specialise further in forensic imaging of paediatrics. You will learn about the investigation of infant deaths, suspected physical abuse, imaging modalities utilised for suspected physical abuse of paediatrics, injuries indicative of suspected physical abuse, standards of imaging of suspected physical abuse, techniques for imaging paediatrics, post-mortem imaging of paediatrics, differential diagnoses, and image interpretation.

You will be aspiring and creative in developing your skills and techniques to image deceased and living paediatrics, adaptable and confident in applying imaging skills and knowledge to the paediatric forensic imaging environment, and articulate, confident, and critical in identifying suspected physical abuse, and in presenting aspects of paediatric forensic imaging to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

 

Year 1 core modules (PgDip/MSc)

Medico-legal Issues in Forensic Imaging Practice

This module covers the medico-legal issues that are pertinent to forensic radiographers/technologists and which are the foundation of forensic practice. Topics covered include continuity of evidence, standards of digital evidence, statements and documentation, presenting evidence in court, the role of the expert witness, and health and safety.

This module will facilitate you to be critical about what you read and how you apply it to your practice, to be articulate and confident to engage with others in debate and to incorporate necessary changes to your department’s protocol, to be adaptable in utilising a range of learning activities, and to be aspiring to establish best practice in forensic imaging. In addition, when learning about the topic evidence, you will be facilitated to be articulate and confident in presenting evidence, be critical in reflecting on how you prepare evidence, statements, and present evidence in court, and be adaptable, aspiring and creative in developing new approaches to managing digital evidence in your department.

Minimally Invasive Autopsy

This module is for radiographers/technologists who would like to further enhance their cross-sectional imaging skills in order to provide a minimally invasive autopsy service. As the public is increasingly rejecting the conventional autopsy, there is greater demand for minimally invasive autopsy, using cross-sectional imaging technologies. You will learn about post-mortem computerised tomography - protocols, techniques, post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging, post-mortem angiography, image interpretation and pathology, post-mortem biopsies, pulmonary ventilation, role of the radiographer in dealing with the bereaved, service provision, and governance.

This module will facilitate you to be confident and critical in the application of research to your own practice, to be aspiring and creative in developing your skills to provide a post-mortem imaging service, to be adaptable in using your computerised tomography skills and knowledge in post-mortem imaging practice, and to be confident, critical, and articulate in presenting aspects of post-mortem imaging to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Principles of Forensic Imaging (Radiographers)

Topics covered include imaging modalities, minimally invasive autopsy, suspected physical abuse (paediatrics and vulnerable adults), injury processes and pathology, illegal immigration and human trafficking, drug packers, identification of the deceased - fingerprints, DNA, anthropology, odontology, radiography, and roles within the multidisciplinary team.

This module will facilitate you to be critical reading research and how you apply it to your practice, to be articulate and confident in presenting forensic information to specialist and non-specialist audiences, to be critical and adaptable in your use of imaging modalities in forensic practice, and to be creative and aspiring to enhance your own forensic practice.

 

Year 2 core modules (PgDip/MSc)

Developing Research Projects

Develop the knowledge and skills you need to design and manage primary or secondary research, audit or evaluation project relevant to your practice, preparing you for dissertation. You also cover research governance and ethics, to prepare you to apply for ethical approval or release.

You are assessed through a written 4,000-word proposal for a research, audit or evaluation study, which is worth 100% of the module marks and should be submitted in week 13.

Forensic Imaging in Mass Fatalities

You develop a critical understanding of the processes involved following a mass fatalities incident, from investigating the crime scene to recovering the body to the emergency mortuary and ultimate release of the body to relatives.

Paediatric Forensic Imaging

This module is designed for radiographers and technologists who primarily work in the paediatric setting or who want to specialise further in forensic imaging of paediatrics. You will learn about the investigation of infant deaths, suspected physical abuse, imaging modalities utilised for suspected physical abuse of paediatrics, injuries indicative of suspected physical abuse, standards of imaging of suspected physical abuse, techniques for imaging paediatrics, post-mortem imaging of paediatrics, differential diagnoses, and image interpretation.

You will be aspiring and creative in developing your skills and techniques to image deceased and living paediatrics, adaptable and confident in applying imaging skills and knowledge to the paediatric forensic imaging environment, and articulate, confident, and critical in identifying suspected physical abuse, and in presenting aspects of paediatric forensic imaging to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

 

Year 3 core module (MSc only)

Major Project for Forensic Radiographers

Consolidate and enhance your research and evaluation skills through individual intellectual enquiry. You undertake a systematic, in-depth investigation of a topic area relevant to forensic radiography.

 

Modules offered may vary.

 

How you learn

These courses are taught entirely through distance learning and are structured to keep you on track throughout your studies. You do not need to attend the University, and aside from the scheduled webinars, you can complete the online activities at times that work best for you.

You attend regular webinars, where you and your peers meet online for a teaching session with your tutor or other forensic specialist. These are normally scheduled at 6.30pm - 8.00pm UK time, with approximately six scheduled webinars for each module.

Structured activities also help you think about each topic and discuss ideas with your peers. These include podcasts, directed reading, quizzes, virtual workspace for discussion, and online collaborative work. Additionally, a courtroom simulation is conducted in the first module, helping you learn how to give evidence and experience being cross-examined in court.
A three-week induction introduces you to the course, the virtual learning environment, and the available electronic learning resources. You also develop your critical thinking and writing skills which prepares you to engage effectively with the course content.

All sessions are facilitated by international specialists in the field of forensics. These specialists include forensic radiographers, consultant paediatricians, consultant paediatric radiologists, forensic pathologists, forensic biologists, forensic researchers, forensic anthropologists, crime scene investigators and HM coroner.

How you are assessed

The assessment strategies are varied and include written assignments, online presentations, and open-book exams.

 

Entry requirements

You should be a registered radiographer, technologist or other radiographic/imaging professional with an appropriate honours degree (2.2 or above) or equivalent, and licensed to undertake medical or post-mortem imaging in your country. No forensic experience is required. Applications are welcome from newly qualified radiographers/technicians.

International students will be expected to demonstrate an IELTS Score of 6.5 at time of application.
View the international entry requirements.

Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credits for previous study or related work experience which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL.

For general information please see our overview of entry requirements

 

Employability

Career opportunities

Successful completion of the course enhances your career as a practitioner, with specialist imaging skills in forensic practice. The advanced skills you develop are particularly beneficial if you plan to become the lead forensic radiographer or technologist in your department.

Feedback from graduates has indicated that they have received promotion to the role of forensic lead radiographer after completing this course, becoming confident in enhancing and changing practice, and articulate and confident in presenting their research at conferences.

Additionally, some graduates have become articulate leaders in forensic radiography, becoming active committee members of The International Association of Forensic Radiographer (IAFR). Others have also engaged directly with the Department of Health and Social Care and the Home Office as a result, demonstrating the significant impact of this course on forensic imaging in the UK and internationally.

The IAFR and Society and College of Radiographers advocate that anyone undertaking forensic imaging examinations should be educated and trained at postgraduate level. These courses fully address this requirement.

 
 

Professional accreditation

Our courses are recognised by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

Full-time

  • Not available full-time
 

Part-time

2024/25 entry

Fee for UK applicants
£750 for each 20 credits

More details about our fees

  • Length: 1 - 3 years
  • Attendance: Distance learning
  • Start date: September
  • Semester dates

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Service user and carer involvement

Service users and carers support all aspects of our students' lifecycle from recruitment to graduation.

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UK students

Email: shlsadmissions@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: 01642 738801


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