Forensic Science - MSc

Program Overview

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Overview

Our one-year taught Master’s course in Forensic Science develops an integrated and critical understanding of forensic science and prepares you for a professional role in a range of related areas. Our students go on to important and exciting careers within the criminal or civil judicial system, the police or forensic practice, as well as broader scientific areas and further research.

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Reasons to study Forensic Science at Kent

Forensic Science at Kent is ranked 1st in the UK in

The Guardian University Guide 2023

.

Choose from a large range of exciting and interesting optional modules to enable further specialisation in your chosen areas of expertise, including DNA analysis and interpretation, fires and explosions, and forensic taphonomy.

Build on your knowledge and understanding of advanced laboratory analytical methods, essential to forensic investigation.

Our state-of-the-art facilities allow you to gain hands-on practical experience of advanced laboratory analytical techniques and incident management, including in our optional modules in crime scene investigation and forensic taphonomy.

Develop the command, control and management skills that will enable you to present expert evidential incident reports to the highest standard.

Expert training in a range of research skills modules to prepare you for independent research, including a summer-long practical research project.

Small-class teaching with academic staff who have extensive experience in their fields.

A highly supportive community of forensic science and chemistry postgraduate students and staff.

Program Outline

Course structure

Duration:

1 year full-time

You will gain detailed knowledge of the physical techniques and methods of assay, analysis and examination used by forensic scientists, together with the essential chemical knowledge necessary to understand a range of forensic analytical techniques.

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Modules

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.  Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take modules from other programmes so that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas that interest you.

You must take all the following compulsory modules (75 credits) and then 45 credits from the optional modules.

You may only take PSCI7040, Major Incident Management OR PSCI7170, Modern Approaches to Incident Management. FSCI5030 can only be taken when taken with FSCI5010.

Compulsory modules currently include

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PSCI7000 - Physical Science Research Investigation (15 credits)

Students will develop a number of skills related to the investigation and planning of research such as analytical skills, critical thinking and ability to understand and communicate scientific information in graphically. Students will learn how to search and retrieve information from a variety of locations (colloquia, websites, journals, proceedings etc). They will learn how to compile professionally-produced scientific documents such as colloquia reports, posters and applications for funding of future research activities/research job applications. The Group research investigation strengthens these skills, adding experience of working in a team.

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PSCI7020 - Contemporary and Advanced Issues in Forensic Science (15 credits)

This module enables students from a variety of backgrounds (e.g. graduates in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Forensic Biology etc.) to develop their expertise within selected areas of forensic science. Areas for development (e.g. crime scene analysis, ballistics, drug analysis, face recognition, D, etc.) will be identified during an initial meeting of the module convenor with each student.

Students will then be assigned a supervisor in the appropriate area who will guide them towards appropriate learning resources such as lecture and practical materials within the School's portfolio of modules, textbooks and research journals, as well as providing tutorial guidance throughout the module. Guidance will be also given in preparing the dissertation and the presentation. Students will be expected to present verbally, and in writing, the background and advances (focussing on the last ten years) in their selected area of expertise.

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PSCI7130 - Substances of Abuse (15 credits)

This module will allow students to develop knowledge of elements of synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry which are relevant to substances of abuse, and the theoretical chemistry and principles of analysis and identification of several substances that are substances of abuse. The following are indicative:

• Amphetamines and related compounds

• LSD and related compounds

• Cannabis and Cannabis products

• Opiate compounds

• Cocaine and related compounds

• Certain controlled pharmaceutical drugs.

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PSCI7200 - Advanced Project Laboratory (30 credits)

This module comprises a range of contemporary topics covering methods of analysis and the interpretational issues associated with forensic D profiling. The materials take students through the evolution of forensic D; RFLP, Quad and the progression of D multiplexes to the present day and the practical issues of sample collection, processing and storage, D theory and practical D processing.

Students will appreciate the difficulties associated with mixed samples and the statistical interpretation associated with both single source and mixture interpretation. The module draws upon the latest materials published by the Forensic Science Regulator and the latest quality and legal standards associated with D profiling. The module is contextualised throughout using a range of contemporary case studies.

Optional modules may include

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FSCI5010 - Fundamental Forensic Techniques (15 credits)

This module will develop students' appreciation of a range of physical techniques applied to the collection of bulk and trace evidence materials in forensic science. Students will look more deeply into aspects of physical evidence and will deal with the practical issues of item examination, legal process and general procedure associated with the collection and submission of a range of forensically-relevant materials.

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FSCI5030 - Applied Forensic Practice (15 credits)

This module introduces students to a range of scene investigation and evidence processing techniques through a combination of laboratory-based training exercises and simulated scene investigation scenarios.

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PSCI6010 - Fires and Explosions (15 credits)

This module covers a range of core chemical science that relates to fire and explosive events. The applied investigation of such events is also discussed to give students a wider appreciation of previous case studies and the complexities of post-fire and post-blast investigations.

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PSCI6040 - Topics in Functional Materials (15 credits)

Chemists and physicists are now playing an important role in the growing field of materials research. More recently, there has been a growing interest, driven by technological needs, in materials with specific functions and this requires a combination of physics and chemistry. For example, new materials are needed for the optics and electronics industry (glasses and semiconductors). The aim of this module is to introduce students to this area of modern materials and associated techniques. Examples of the topics that might typically be covered are: Crystals and crystallography; Molecular materials; Glasses; Magnetism and Magnetic Materials; Multiferroics; X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).

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PSCI6370 - D Analysis & Interpretation (15 credits)

This module comprises a range of contemporary topics covering methods of analysis and the interpretational issues associated with forensic D profiling. The materials take students through the evolution of forensic D processes and the practical issues of sample collection, processing and storage, D theory and practical D processing. Students will appreciate the difficulties associated with mixed samples and the statistical interpretation associated with both single source and mixture interpretation. The module draws upon the latest materials published by the Forensic Science Regulator and the latest quality and legal standards associated with D profiling. The module is contextualised throughout using a range of contemporary case studies.

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PSCI7040 - Major Incident Management (15 credits)

This module will cover the core principles behind the management and investigation processes that may relate to a range of forensically-relevant incident types. Indicative areas of discussion may include investigation of civil infrastructure incidents, disaster victim identification (DVI), acts of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) as well as managing forensic resources over a range of major and smaller incidents.

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PSCI7170 - Modern Approaches to Incident Management (30 credits)

This module will cover the core principles behind the management and investigation processes that may relate to a range of forensically-relevant incident types. Indicative areas of discussion may include investigation of civil infrastructure incidents, disaster victim identification (DVI), acts of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) as well as managing forensic resources over a range of major and smaller incidents. Students will also manage a team of scene investigators as part of a simulated incident investigation.

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SACO8150 - Forensic Taphonomy (15 credits)

This module is fundamental to this MSc where students learn various stages of post-mortem decay to human remains, focusing largely on environmental effects—including decomposition in soil and interaction with plants, insects, and other animals. Other topics covered are; PMI methods (time elapsed since death), biotaphonomy, and geotaphonomy.

Compulsory modules currently include

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PSCI7800 - MSC Research Project (60 credits)

Students will undertake a project from an available project listing and will work under the guidance of a supervisor. The student will be encouraged to develop some level of research independence within the project remit appropriate of a postgraduate master's student.

The project will be assessed on a number of criteria which will include the project work (the amount, quality etc. appropriate for the level), effort put in by the student, the preparation of a written report and an oral presentation session. The student's progress will be assessed mid way through the research project through a progress report. This will also involve some degree of forward planning such that the students assess their own project requirements for the following period allowing the student to learn time management and forward planning skills.

Find out more about PSCI7800

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Teaching

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Teaching and assessment

Assessment is by examination and coursework.

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Programme aims

This programme aims to:

develop your integrated and critically aware understanding of forensic science and to prepare you to undertake a PhD in any associated disciplines

prepare you for a professional role in forensic science within the criminal or civil judicial system, police, or forensic practice or research

develop your command, control, and management skills in relation to major incidents, and to prepare and present expert evidential incident reports at court to the highest standard

develop a clear recognition of the constraints and opportunities of the environment in which professional forensic science is carried out

develop a variety of Masters’ level intellectual and transferable skills

equip you with the learning skills to keep abreast of developments in the continually evolving field of forensic science and forensic investigation

enable you to realise your academic potential.

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Learning outcomes

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Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding in areas such as:

advanced theory, concepts, and practice in relation to laboratory analysis and substances of abuse

the command, management, logistics, and forensic implications of major and minor incidents such as air or rail accidents and crime scenes. Emergency and disaster planning, theory, practice, legislation, and implementation

advance laboratory analytic methods and apparatus as applied to general analysis and forensic investigation

the forensic application of D analysis, fire investigation, explosives and accelerants.

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Intellectual skills

You develop intellectual skills in:

critical thinking, reasoning and reflection

the ability to recognise and solve forensic-related problems at an advanced level

the ability to select the most appropriate techniques for a given analysis and to use a wide range of advanced analytic apparatus to evidential standards

the ability to manage personnel and logistics in demanding and highly fluid environments.

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Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in:

the ability to source funding for, plan, and implement research projects

the ability to identify, plan for and manage actual and potential threats in a range of environments

the ability to prepare and present an incident management report to evidential standards, and to present such reports at court under hostile cross-examination

the ability to perform advanced level analysis on a range of apparatus and to document such to evidential standards

familiarity and competence to an advanced level in key items of forensic analytic apparatus.

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Transferable skills

You gain the following transferable skills:

personal and interpersonal skills, working as a member of a team and as a team leader.

effective research costing and planning

skills relevant to a career in forensic science (practice or judiciary) and forensic research

the ability to learn effectively for the purpose of continuing your professional development

the ability to generate, analyse, interpret and present in a range of environments

the ability to manage time and resources within an individual project and as a team manager.

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Careers

All programmes in the School of Chemistry and Forensic Science equip you with the tools you need to conduct research, solve problems, communicate effectively and transfer skills to the workplace, which means our graduates are always in high demand. Our links with industry not only provide you with the opportunity to gain work experience during your degree, but also equip you with the general and specialist skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the workplace.

Typical employment destinations for graduates from our forensic science and chemistry programmes include government agencies, consultancies, emergency services, laboratories, research or academia.