Course overview
Our course teaches you to manage the investigative process from start to finish. You develop skills in recording, gathering, evaluating and presenting evidence and intelligence data, as well as understanding the science behind forensic analysis.
Top reasons to study this course:
- Experienced teaching team: our teaching team includes former practitioners in crime scene investigation, forensic science, and intelligence analysis, who bring operational experience to the classroom.
- Employment opportunities: in addition to preparing you as a crime scene investigator, this course can lead to a range of employment openings, such as an intelligence or data analyst, environmental crime officer and insurance fraud investigator.
- Industry-standard facilities: you have access to extensive facilities in crime scene science, intelligence analysis and forensic science.
You may be eligible to apply for a scholarship with Cleveland Scientific Institution (excluding those applying to the foundation year).
This course includes a foundation year - ideal if you need additional preparation or if you don't have sufficient grades to join Year 1 of a degree.
Course details
Course structure
Foundation year core modules
What is big data? How is it made and how do we make sense of it? Discover how data is created, consider the ethical implications of using it and begin your journey accessing it. You explore its use in society and the role it plays in community relationships, from uncovering criminal networks and tracking disease outbreaks to developing a deeper understanding of our ecology. You understand how search engines collate and store the data needed to make predictions, enhance decision making, or to better understand society’s needs. You learn the impact big data has and the challenges it presents.
This is a 20-credit module.
Chemical Science and the Environment
Chemistry is the study of the structure, properties and reactivity of elements and compounds and plays a key role in physical, life and applied sciences. You are introduced to the fundamental concepts of the application of chemistry. You examine the structure of the atom, the periodic table, chemical bonding and chemical reactivity. Learn about environmental science, biogeochemistry, pollution, green chemistry and climate change.
This is a 20-credit module.
Crime Scene and Forensic Practice
The theory and practice of crime scene and forensic science are introduced. You study and debate details of evidence-based miscarriages of justice, examine procedural issues which have compromised investigations and understand how practices have evolved as a result. Experience sessions in the crime scene house, vehicle examination suite and mock court room, bringing these sessions to life in an immersive setting.
This is a 20-credit module.
Team up with your coursemates to find out how science can help address some of the biggest issues facing society today. You explore health and wellbeing, resilient and secure societies, digital and creative economy, sustainable environments, and learning for the 21st century.
This is a 20-credit module.
You focus on life sciences from a human perspective, while developing an understanding of human biology to explore the role of different but interconnected life science disciplines in modern life. You consider the major human body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, excretory, endocrine, nervous, digestive, skeletal and reproductive) to appreciate how this knowledge is relevant to issues in health, disease and modern society.
This is a 20-credit module.
The Role of Enforcement Agencies
You consider the role of support services such as crime scene examiners and forensic labs within an investigation. You examine prosecution policies used by enforcement agencies and the alternatives to prosecution. Time management, self refection and good learning practice skills are emphasised to contextualise how various enforcement agencies operate and the process of investigation, including the use of intelligence.
This is a 20-credit module.
Year 1 core modules
Gain basic knowledge of human anatomy and an understanding of the mechanisms associated with control and regulation of the physiological processes of the major organ system. Homeostasis is the key theme throughout the module, as you explore interrelationships between human functions and the organisational hierarchy to develop and increase your understanding of how the body functions. You also study the construction of biological profiles for human identification including sex, age at death, stature determination and biological affinity. This knowledge is used in the context of identification and recovery of human remains, the regulatory aspect of handing human remains and ethical issues related to human tissue research.
This is a 20-credit module.
You are introduced to the key skills and theoretical background required of a forensic and crime scene science photographer. Using industry-standard digital photographic equipment, you develop your photography and imaging skills and understand how these are applied in a crime scene setting.
This is a 20-credit module.
Develop the skills necessary to work as a member of an investigative team. Explore the range of encounters you are likely to face at a crime scene and learn how to deal with these. You focus on trace evidence knowledge and the skills required to maximise forensic evidence recovery at an incident.
This is a 20-credit module.
Forensic Case Studies and the Law
Gain the essential legal knowledge and skills you need to be a forensic investigator. Through research and case studies, you develop an understanding of the role of courts and relevant investigatory legislation in the UK, as well as how forensic examinations contribute to the criminal justice process.
This is a 20-credit module.
Forensic Evidence and Recovery
Understand the fundamental concepts of forensic science, theoretically and practically. A range of chemical and biological forensic evidence types are introduced and their recovery and examination in the forensic laboratory considered. You also examine how these evidence types are presented in an investigative environment.
This is a 20-credit module.
Intelligence and Digital Investigation
As part of a wider digital investigation, you identify and examine potential sources of intelligence. You explore where these sources might be located, their structure, contents and value to an investigation as well as surrounding legal and ethical implications involved in using this information. Relevant approaches to examining and interpreting intelligence sources are identified and discussed, alongside references to real-world scenarios.
This is a 20-credit module.
Year 2 core modules
Bioarchaeology and Human Remains Recovery
Bioarchaeology focuses on the analysis of biological remains from archaeological sites to understand the life experiences of these people. Incorporating skeletal anatomy, osteology, archaeology, and anthropology, you explore the process of identifying, recovering, and analysing human remains.
This is a 20-credit module.
You are introduced to a range of evidence types, how to locate, preserve and recover them and their significance in the context of an investigation. Working to professional standards, you explore scene attendance protocols and develop practical skills in photography and fingerprint examination. Practise the recovery of physical evidence and develop the skills to analyse, interpret and evaluate this evidence.
This is a 20-credit module.
Trends and predictive analytics are at the forefront of new crime reduction strategies. Front line officers, crime scene investigators and the public play a part in finding patterns in offending behaviour as well as helping us to understand the environments these crimes occur in. Debate these tools and discuss why enforcement agencies have pushed forward in their drive to acquire bigger and better data. Apply environmental crime theoretical frameworks to real world problems and engage with software to study crime pattern analysis.
This is a 20-credit module.
Forensic Analytical Investigations
Examine analytical techniques used in forensic investigations for a wide range of evidence types, including paint, blood, drugs and bones. Explore how they are analysed using analytical instrumentation such as gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and spectroscopy. Learn how to interpret data and use statistical analysis to give valid conclusions. Lectures and integrated seminars support both the analysis of the scientific literature and problem-solving. You analyse, interpret and evaluate laboratory data.
You examine major serious incidents that require special arrangements to be implemented by one or more emergency response agencies. You consider how these responses impact on the investigative process and how the role of the various agencies and experts impact on progressing an inquiry. Through practical sessions, you learn to generate evidence and implement responses to major incidents, which form part of a linked series in a complex investigation. Your work is recorded on industry-standard software, highlighting an overview of the inquiry, and displaying the scene and forensic evidence.
This is a 20-credit module.
Professional Practice and the Expert Witness
Explore the role of an expert witness in legal proceedings in the UK, from handling evidence and writing scientific statements, to being an effective witness in the courtroom. Through professional practice, you learn about codes of conduct, quality standards and accreditation as you gain the key information and skills you need for a career in forensic practice. You also explore the legal framework, including aspects of UK and international law.
This is a 20-credit module.
Optional work placement year
You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting and networking.
You gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.
Many employers view a placement as a year-long interview, therefore placements are increasingly becoming an essential part of an organisation's pre-selection strategy in their graduate recruitment process. Benefits include:
· improved job prospects
· enhanced employment skills and improved career progression opportunities
· a higher starting salary than your full-time counterparts
· a better degree classification
· a richer CV
· a year's salary before completing your degree
· experience of workplace culture
· the opportunity to design and base your final-year project within a working environment.
If you are unable to secure a work placement with an employer, then you simply continue on a course without the work placement.
Final-year core modules
Business Intelligence and Investigation
You consider how to produce business intelligence in an investigative area. Develop your detailed knowledge of the principles of intelligence production including using specialised software.
This is a 20-credit module.
Human Identification and Forensic Imaging
You explore and critically analyse the techniques and technologies used to identify unknown individuals, either dead or alive. Consider emerging and established technologies in human identification and the forensic recording of scenes and exhibits in 2D and 3D. Focus on the impact of emerging technology on operational practice, as well as evaluating emerging and traditional techniques and their ethical considerations. Use various digital devices, 2D, and 3D imaging equipment within a lab and scene environment to develop the skills required to collect and process data suitable to present in a forensic context.
This is a 20-credit module.
Tackling criminality begins by establishing and researching the causes, drivers and facilitators of crime. Examine the role intelligence plays in policing, from generating tasks for an inquiry to converting intelligence and evidence before the courts. Immerse yourself in analysing intelligence, grading its value and creating a series of hypotheses to test the development of a problem profile.
Working through open source datasets, you are introduced to writing scripts in Python or R to format dataframes, carry out statistical analysis before visualising data to help uncover meaning. IT lab exercises examine the techniques used to measure and monitor crime.
This is a 20-credit module.
You complete an in-depth, independent investigation into a specialist aspect of your field of study. You bring together a range of practical and academic skills developed in previous study, including analysing and critically evaluating data and a critical reflection on the potential risks, and moral and ethical issues. You are supported by a research supervisor who helps you develop and complete your research project.
This is a 40-credit module.
Enforcement agencies have an increasingly multidisciplinary approach to real-world scenarios. You work with students from associated disciplines to reflect on the full investigative process, from gathering evidence to submitting prosecution reports and appearing in court as a witness.
As part of a team, you contribute to the investigation of a complex crime, using appropriate professional techniques and industry-standard competencies to gather and retain physical and electronic evidence, obtain and analyse forensic samples, inspect premises, take statements and interview witnesses. You produce a final report that would successfully gain a conviction under the relevant legislation.
This is a 20-credit module.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
You learn through a range of teaching and learning methods including:
- lectures
- tutorials
- seminars and workshops (including oral presentations and poster sessions)
- scene examination
- analytical laboratory work
- computer laboratory-based sessions
- group projects
- research projects.
The course provides a number of contact teaching and assessment hours, but you are also expected to spend time on your own - self-study time - to review lecture notes, prepare coursework assignments, work on projects and revise for assessments. Each year of full-time study consists of modules totalling 120 credits and each unit of credit corresponds to ten hours of learning and assessment (contact hours plus self-study hours). So, during one year of full-time study you can expect to have 1,200 hours of learning and assessment.
Each programme and module is supported by a specific virtual learning environment (VLE) site.
How you are assessed
You may be assessed through:
- formal exams including 'unseen' exams
- court/case reports
- photographic and evidence portfolios
- oral presentations and technical interviews
- collaborative project work
- preparation and display of posters
- planning, conduct and reporting of project work.
You also have the opportunity to present evidence in our on-campus court room.
Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services
Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
The tariff point requirement depends on the Level 3 subjects you have previously studied. Typical offers normally range from 32-88 tariff points.
Examples of typical entry qualifications include:
- Any combination of Level 3 qualifications (for example, A/AS levels, BTEC Certificates/Diplomas, Access to HE)
- A High School Certificate/Diploma with good grades completed after at least 12 years of primary and secondary education
Any Level 3 subject is acceptable for entry to this course.
English language and maths requirements
Normally, evidence of English language and mathematical skills equivalent to at least GCSE grade 4 is required. We consider a wide range of English and maths qualifications alternative to GCSEs. Please contact our admissions staff for advice.
Applicant Days
If you receive an offer to study with us you may be invited to attend one of our Applicant Days. This is a great opportunity to learn more about studying at Teesside by exploring our campus, seeing our excellent facilities, meeting staff and students, and finding out more about your course.
The Applicant Day provides you with information, guidance and advice to help you make the right choice. Even if you have attended an Open Day we encourage you to attend the Applicant Day - we are confident you will find your visit a useful experience.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country
You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL
Employability
Career opportunities
Graduate careers can include crime scene investigator, police officer, intelligence analyst, detention officer, or you could seek employment with agencies or government organisations such as the Environment Agency, HM Revenue & Customs, the prison service or in local government such as Trading Standards. Graduates are also well placed to seek careers in the law and education sectors.
Information for international applicants
Qualifications
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.
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Useful information
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.