Forensic Science Diploma ONLINE
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Forensic Science Diploma ONLINE
This course includes the ONLINE VERSION of the course only.
In this Forensic Science Diploma we will examine the fascinating subject of Forensic Science. Forensic science can be simply defined as the application of science to the law. In criminal cases forensic scientists are often involved in the search for, and examination of, physical traces which might be useful for establishing or excluding an association between someone suspected of committing a crime and the scene of the crime or victim. Such traces commonly include blood and other body fluids, hairs, textile fibres from clothing etc., materials used in buildings such as paint and glass, foot…
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Forensic Science Diploma ONLINE
This course includes the ONLINE VERSION of the course
only.
In this Forensic Science Diploma we will examine the fascinating subject of Forensic Science. Forensic science can be simply defined as the application of science to the law. In criminal cases forensic scientists are often involved in the search for, and examination of, physical traces which might be useful for establishing or excluding an association between someone suspected of committing a crime and the scene of the crime or victim. Such traces commonly include blood and other body fluids, hairs, textile fibres from clothing etc., materials used in buildings such as paint and glass, footwear, tool and tyre marks, flammable substances used to start fires and so on. Sometimes the scientist will visit the scene itself to advise about likely sequence of events, any indicators as to who the perpetrator might be, and to join in the initial search for evidence. Other forensic scientists analyse suspected drugs of abuse, specimens from people thought to have taken them or to have been driving after drinking too much alcohol, or to have been poisoned. Yet others specialise in firearms, explosives, or documents whose authenticity is questioned.
In civil cases forensic scientists may become involved in some of the same sorts of examinations and analyses but directed to resolving disputes as to, for example, the cause of a fire or a road accident for which damages are being claimed.
Forensic scientists can appear for either side - prosecution or defence in criminal matters, and plaintiff or defendant in civil ones. They tend to present their findings and opinions in written form either as formal statements of evidence or reports. Sometimes they are required to attend court to give their evidence in person. However, the evidence is produced and whether supporting the case for the prosecution or the defence, the evidence collected and presented by forensic scientists is subject to the rules of evidence and the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. For this reason the importance of the continuity of the chain of evidence will be stressed throughout the course.
Module 1: Pioneers of forensic science
This introductory module focuses specifically on Pioneers of
forensic science and the objectives of the module are to understand
that like policing, forensic science has a developmental history,
to be aware that the use of forensic science can be traced back to
3000BC and perhaps even earlier, to be aware that the techniques of
forensic science are continually developing and to have an
awareness of the pioneers of forensic science, including Ambroise
Paré, Mathieu Orfila and James Marsh.
Module 2: Case Study 1 - The Bodies in the Stream (The
Jigsaw Case)
Module 2 of the Level 3 Forensic Science Diploma looks to recognise
the different forensic specialities involved in a criminal
investigation, understand the different roles each specialist
plays, to understand how the various aspects of an investigation
fit together to provide a complete picture of events and to
understand the importance of the unbroken continuity of the chain
of evidence. If Sergeant Sloane of the Dumfries Constabulary
was hoping for a quiet Sunday afternoon shift that day, he was to
be sadly disappointed. To him fell the task of beginning the
investigation into the origin of mysterious body parts.
Module 3: Forensic Pathology
Pathology is the study of the changes in the structure and function
of parts of the body caused either by disease or injury.
Module 3 looks to help the student to understand what is meant by
pathology, understand the difference between hospital pathology and
forensic pathology, understand what is meant by histology, and
understand the difference between hospital histology and forensic
histology.
The student will also have a basic understanding of the role of
a pathologist, a basic understanding of the conduct of an autopsy
and have an understanding of how the pathologist contributes to the
outcome of a criminal investigation.
Module 4: Forensic Anthropology
Forensic anthropology serves the policing and judicial communities
by analysing human remains for medico-legal purposes. It is a
specialised area of science that requires detailed anatomical and
osteological training.
Module 4 will help the student to understand what is meant by
forensic anthropology, the role of the forensic anthropologist,
what is meant by osteology and dentition and to understand how an
anthropologist compiles a biological profile.
Module 5: Forensic Biology
Entomology is the study of insects and forensic entomology is the
study of insects and other arthropods in a legal context. The
applications are wide-ranging, but the most frequent is to
determine the minimum time since death, that is, the minimum
post-mortem interval (PMI), in suspicious death investigations.
Module 5 of the Forensic Science Level 3 Diploma will help the
student to understand what is meant by forensic entomology, the
difference between academic and forensic entomology and have a
basic understanding of the role of a forensic entomologist.
This module will also help the student understand what is meant by
forensic botany and how the forensic botanist can contribute to a
criminal investigation.
Module 6: Case Study 2 - The Body in the Carpet (Little
Miss Nobody)
The 7th December 1989 dawned as a grey and miserable day in the
Welsh capital, Cardiff. Workmen engaged in maintenance and
improvement work at 29 Fitzhamon Embankment cursed the cold that
chilled their bones as they cut into the garden of the terraced
house with their spades. Their task was to dig a trench in
which they would lay a new sewer pipe. A few feet down into
the earth they found a rolled and rotting carpet. The sight
of the contents of the carpet, a human skeleton, made their blood
run colder than the harsh winter weather ever could.
Module 6 recognises the different forensic specialities involved in
a criminal investigation, the different roles each specialist
plays, how the various aspects of an investigation fit together to
provide a complete picture of events and the importance of the
unbroken continuity of the chain of evidence.
Module 7: Craniofacial Reconstruction
Craniofacial reconstruction refers to a group of procedures used to
repair or reshape the face and skull of a living person, or to
create a replica of the head and face of a dead or missing
person. The word "craniofacial" is a combination of
"cranium," which is the medical word for the upper portion of the
skull, and facial.
After completing module 7 of the Forensic Science level 3 Diploma,
the student will understand what is meant by craniofacial
reconstruction, have a knowledge of some of the leading exponents
of craniofacial reconstruction, have a basic understanding of how
the forensic artist/sculptor reconstructs a human face and have a
basic understanding of how 3D images of a face can be generated by
computer.
Module 8: Serology - DNA and Body Fluids
Module 8 covers the understanding of how a DNA profile is used in
identification, the role of the serologist in a criminal
investigation, why and how biological specimens are collected at
the scene of a crime and also the problems related to DNA
collection.
Module 9: Case Study 3 - Who Killed Bambi? The White
House Farm Murder
Module 9 looks into the case study of the White House Farm Murder
and the student will learn how to recognise that assumptions and
preconceived ideas can have a detrimental effect on the collection
of forensic evidence, that professional crime scene management is
vital to the conduct of a successful investigation, that different
forensic experts can put different interpretations on the same
evidence and also that the courts can misinterpret expert
evidence.
Module 10: Crime Scene Management and the Chain of
Evidence
Examination of the crime scene is a crucial stage in the
investigation, it is here, and from victims and suspects that vital
contact traces will be found. If the evidence is badly
handled, wrongly labelled or contaminated by personnel at the scene
it will be useless to the laboratory and useless for presentation
in court.
The Objectives of module 10 are to understand what is meant by
crime scene, understand why a crime scene needs to be managed,
understand what is meant by continuity of the chain of evidence,
understand the responsibilities of all investigators particularly
the Senior Investigating Officer, understand the role of the crime
scene manager and also understand what is meant by the golden hour
and fast track action.
Module 11: Ballistics
The term ballistics refers to the science of the travel of a
projectile in flight. Forensic ballistics identifies firearm
usage in crimes. It is the area of forensic science that
deals with firearms, how they are used, why they are used and why
they are used frequently in the commission of crime.
Module 11 of the Forensic Science Level 3 Diploma will help
students to understand what is meant by forensic ballistics, that
there are different types of firearms, why individual firearms can
be identified. They will also have a basic understanding of
the role of a forensic ballistics expert, have a basic
understanding of how firearm serial numbers can be restored and
have a basic understanding of the liaison necessary between
forensic experts, such as when examining bullet wounds.
Module 12: Fingerprints
The natural oils of the body preserve the fingerprint, which is
absolutely distinct; no two humans have been found to have the same
fingerprints. Fingerprints are even more unique than DNA.
Students will understand how and why fingerprints are left and have
a basic understanding of the Henry fingerprint classification
system. Students will also have a basic understanding of how
fingerprints are disclosed and lifted at the scene of crime, have a
basic understanding of how fingerprints are taken from a living
person and a basic awareness of the IDENT1 database.
Module 13: Forensic Photography
Forensic Photography is an integral part of criminal investigation
procedures employed by police and security forces throughout the
world. As well as witness statements, the reports made by officers
and other physical evidence provided by the crime scene itself,
photography is used to provide an accurate account that cannot be
altered.
In module 13 the student will look at what is meant by Forensic
Photography, the role of a Forensic Photographer, the skills
required by a Forensic Photographer and have a basic awareness of
the career path of a Forensic Photographer.
Module 14: Case Study 4 - Dr. Death
Dr Frederick Harold Shipman was unusual in that his original motive
[for murder] was not money, but those inner demons that drive the
serial killer. His choice of profession enhanced his ability
not only to kill, but to remain undetected for so long. It is
ironic that he was finally brought to justice after he allowed
greed to modify his usual modus operandi. (Watson 2004).
During this case study, students will recognised that assumptions
and preconceived ideas can have a detrimental effect on recognising
that an offence has been committed and the subsequent collection of
forensic evidence, recognise which forensic experts figured in this
investigation, understand the role of the forensic experts in this
investigation, recognise that trained, skilled and professional
investigators and good crime scene management is vital to the
conduct of a successful investigation, recognise that the
incompetence of the offender can often lead to his/her apprehension
and also recognise that those involved in the investigation
offences can and do learn from mistakes.
Module 15: Forensic Toxicology
Forensic toxicology is the branch of forensic science that seeks to
identify and quantify the presence of toxins (poisons) in the human
body. Samples examined for toxicological purposes can include
blood, urine, various other biological fluids, hair, nails and
other tissues.
Module 15 looks into what is meant by forensic toxicology, the role
of the forensic toxicologist, sample testing in forensic toxicology
and some of the testing techniques available to the forensic
toxicologist.
Module 16: Disputed Documents
Any interaction between people that involves documents has the
potential for fraudulent activities. Module 16 covers what is
meant by a disputed document, what is meant by a disputed document
examination, the role of a disputed documents expert and the skills
required by a disputed documents expert.
The student will also have a basic awareness of principles followed
by a forensic document examiner when analysing handwriting and a
basic awareness of equipment available and techniques used during a
disputed document examination.
Module 17: Computer Crime
The objectives of Module 17 are to understand what is meant by
computer crime, to have a basic understanding of the complexity of
computer crime, have an awareness of the types of computer crime
investigated by computer forensic experts, have a basic awareness
of the problems of tackling computer crime in Britain and to have
an awareness of evidence gathering principles.
Module 18: Case Studies 5 - Miscarriages of Justice
This case study will help the student to recognise that
misinterpretation, bad science, prejudice and confused thinking can
lead to a miscarriage of justice, understand that where there is
more than one possible interpretation of the chain of evidence, all
evidence must be assessed impartially and understand that
administrative rules such as the judges rules and later the
obligations imposed by the Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984
exist in order to prevent miscarriages of justice.
The student will also learn that the evidential value of expert
testimony can be overestimated. If there is a conflict of
evidence, there is no way of ensuring the jury will always get it
right. No human system can expect to be perfect.
Module 19: Evidence and the Professionalisation of the
Investigative Process
Evidence is information by which a fact is proved or sought to be
disproved, or an allegation is proved or sought to be disproved
(Hayward & Sparkes 1994). In a criminal trial this
translates to; the means by which the prosecution tries to prove
its case and the defendant tries to cast doubt upon the
prosecution's case.
The objectives of module 19 are to have a basic idea of the rules
of evidence, have a basic idea of the forms of evidence, have a
basic understanding of the requirements surrounding the
admissibility of evidence and to have an understanding,
particularly in relation to case studies examined, of why
professionalisation of the investigative process was necessary.
Module 20: Case Studies 6 (The Lady in the Lake) - Cold
Cases
Carol Park went missing from the family home, in Leece, near
Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, in 1976. On 17th July 1976, the
family had planned a trip to the seaside town of Blackpool, on the
Fylde coast, but at the last moment Carol said that she felt ill
and remained at home. The rest of the family made the journey
to Blackpool but when they returned home Carol was not there.
The Lady in the Lake case study in module 20 looks into The major
problem with cold cases, including the investigation’s age,
officers retire, memories fade and without new technologies such as
DNA profiling the likelihood of solving them is reduced. New
technology and investigative techniques continue to provide fresh
ways of looking at cold cases and Investigators typically need one
piece of information to solve a case, advances in DNA profiling can
often provide this information.
Module 21: Career Opportunities in Forensic Science in the
UK
Module 21 looks into the career opportunities available to work in
Forensic Science in the UK. Civilians are now employed by
many British police forces to provide a variety of technical
services. SOCOs (Scenes of Crime Officers), who as a result
of recent television shows are also referred to as CSIs, (Crime
Scene Investigators) will normally have some scientific
training.
This fascinating subject provides a host of exciting career opportunities for those who are appropriately qualified and motivated.
Our aim is to provide you with the best deal available when purchasing this Forensic Science Diploma, therefore registration fee, certification fee and full tutor support is included in the course price for you.
If you would like to find out more about becoming a Forensic Scientist please visit Forensic Science Centre
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