Laboratory Analysis

Module title	Laboratory Analysis
Module code	ARCM702
Academic year	2025/6
Credits	30
Module staff	Dr Sophie Beckett (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		10

Number students taking module (anticipated)	20

Module description

This comprehensive module explores the critical role of science in criminal investigations. You will gain a sound theoretical understanding of the techniques, principles, and procedures governing the recovery, examination, and evaluation of both macroscopic and microscopic evidence types in the laboratory. Engaging practical exercises will complement lectures, fostering skill development whilst reinforcing theoretical understanding.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to provide you with a detailed understanding of the contribution of science to the investigation of criminal activity.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Describe theories, principles and procedures used in forensic science.
2. Define, explain and employ terms and conventions commonly employed by forensic scientists.
3. Apply understanding of recognition, recording, preservation and processing of scientific evidence for legal contexts.
4. Apply understanding of the legislative and procedural frameworks within which forensic scientists operate.
5. Recognise capabilities of other forensic specialisms.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

6. Interpret a variety of information and data forms.
7. Utilise the literature base relevant to forensic science and select appropriate reference sources.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

8. Demonstrate competence in statistical analysis.
9. Present and report original scientific findings, observations and evidence.
10. Clearly summarise published research.
11. Develop a range of observational, practical and analytical skills relevant to professional practice.
12. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding under examination conditions.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover the following topics:

History, development and role of Forensic Science
Analytical techniques and equipment
Health and safety
Search, sampling, recovery and extraction of scientific evidence in laboratory contexts
Laboratory skills
Analysis, statistical testing and interpretation of results
Expert witness statements and presentation of evidence in court
Continuity, standards and quality assurance in forensic casework
Trace, biological, environmental, toxicological and ballistic evidence
DNA analysis in forensic contexts
Evidence from complex scenes and unusual evidence

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
30	270	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	30	Lecture content and discussion along with guided practical content
Guided Independent Study	270	Private study

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Group critique of example expert witness statements	1 hour	1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 11	Peer and tutor discussion

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
90	10	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Skills Test: MCQ	10	1 hour (or equivalent)	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11 & 12	Mark and written comments
Contribution to practical work, production of dataset and awareness of forensic principles	30	Duration of practical work (observed and graded) plus 300-word reflective statement (equivalent to 1,500 words)	3, 4, 5 & 11	Mark and written comments
Expert Witness Statement	60	3,000 words	1-11	Mark and written comments
	0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Skills Test: MCQ	Skills Test: MCQ 1 hour (or equivalent) (10%)	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11 & 12	Referred/deferred period
Contribution to practical work, production of dataset and awareness of forensic principles	Analysis plan 1500 words (30%)	3, 4, 5 & 11	Referred/deferred period
Expert Witness Statement	Expert witness statement 3,000 words (60%)	1-11	Referred/deferred period

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Reading materials:

Adam, A. (2016) A history of forensic science: British beginnings in the twentieth century. 1st ed. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
Bechky, B.A. (2021) Blood, Powder, and Residue: How Crime Labs Translate Evidence into Proof. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Bell, S. (2019) Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques, Fifth Edition. 5th edn. Oxford: Taylor & Francis Group.
Bell, S. (2022) Forensic Chemistry. Third edition. Oxford: CRC Press.
Bennett, M.R. and Budka, M. (2018) Digital Technology for Forensic Footwear Analysis and Vertebrate Ichnology. 1st ed. 2019. Cham: Springer Nature.
Carr, D. (ed.) (2017) Forensic textile science. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Elsevier.
Choromanski, K. (2020) Bloodstain Pattern Analysis in Crime Scenarios. 1st Edition 2020. Singapore: Springer.
Connon, C.C. and Cupples Connon, C. (2023) Forensic DNA Analysis: Methods and Protocols. New York, NY: Springer US.
Dash, H.R., Shrivastava, P. and Das, S. (2020) Principles and Practices of DNA Analysis: A Laboratory Manual for Forensic DNA Typing. 1st ed. 2020. New York, NY: Springer US.
Evans-Nguyen, Kenyon. and Hutches, Katherine. (eds) (2019) Forensic Analysis of Fire Debris and Explosives. 1st ed. 2019. Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Francese, Simona. (ed.) (2019) Emerging Technologies for the Analysis of Forensic Traces. 1st ed. 2019. Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Fraser, J.C. (2020) Forensic science: a very short introduction. 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Gibson, D.J. (2022) Planting Clues: How plants solve crimes. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Gunn, A. (2019) Essential forensic biology. Third edition. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Hackman, L., Raitt, F.E. and Black, S.M. (eds) (2016) The expert witness, forensic science, and the criminal justice systems of the UK. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Harris, H.A. and Lee, H.C. (2019) Introduction to forensic science and criminalistics. Second edition. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Henryk Matusiewicz, E.B., Bulska, E. and Matusiewicz, H. (2017) Inorganic Trace Analytics: Trace Element Analysis and Speciation. 1st edn. Germany: De Gruyter.
Jackson, A.R.W. and Jackson, J.M. (2017) Forensic science. 4th edition / Andrew R.W. Jackson and Julie M. Jackson. Harlow, England: Pearson.
Langford, A. (2019) Practical skills in forensic science. Third edition. Harlow, England: Pearson.
Levine, B.S. and KERRIGAN, S. (2020) Principles of Forensic Toxicology. Fifth edition. Cham: Springer Nature.
Meester, R. and Slooten, K. (2021) Probability and Forensic Evidence: Theory, Philosophy, and Applications. 1st edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Miranda, M.D. (2016) Forensic analysis of tattoos and tattoo inks. 1st ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Morgan, J. (2023) Wrongful convictions and forensic science errors: case studies and root causes. London, England: Routledge.
Mozayani, A. and Noziglia, C. (2006) The forensic laboratory handbook: procedures and practice. 1st ed. 2006. Totowa, N.J: Humana.
Negrusz, A. and Cooper, G. (2013) Clarke’s Analytical Forensic Toxicology. Second edition. London: Pharmaceutical Press.
Nohynek, G.J. (2017) Presenting Toxicology Results: How to Evaluate Data and Write Reports. United States: CRC Press.
Rawtani, Ce. et al. (2020) Handbook of Analytical Techniques for Forensic Samples: Current and Emerging Developments. 1st edn. Chantilly: Elsevier.
Richmond, K.M. (2023) Marketisation and forensic science provision in England and Wales. Bingley: Emerald Publishing Limited.
Roberts, P. and Stockdale, M. (2018) Forensic Science Evidence and Expert Witness Testimony: Reliability through Reform? 1st edn. United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Ruberg, W. et al. (2023) Forensic cultures in modern Europe. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Wall, W.J. (Wilson J.) (2009) Forensic science in court: the role of the expert witness / Wilson Wall. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
Wallace, J.S. (2018) Chemical Analysis of Firearms, Ammunition, and Gunshot Residue. Second edition. Oxford: CRC Press.
White, P.C. (2020) Crime Scene to Court: The Essentials of Forensic Science. 4th edition. La Vergne: Royal Society of Chemistry.

Journals:

Analytical Chemistry
Forensic Science International
Journal of Forensic Sciences
Science and Justice

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE2

Key words search

Forensic Science, Crime Scene Investigation, Natural Sciences

Credit value	30
Module ECTS	15
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	15/07/2025