Forensic Science, BSc (Hons)

This course is ideal for those with an enquiring mind, a deep interest in science and a curiosity about how and why things happen. You will develop the ability to judge the importance of physical evidence based on incident scene observation and the results of laboratory tests.

On this course you will develop the ability to judge the importance of physical evidence based on incident scene observations and the results of laboratory analysis.

Studying Forensic Science will enable you to:

• Understand crime scene science.
• Use case studies to highlight the range of approaches required in forensic investigations as well as analytical instruments, microscopy and the English legal system.
• Find out how the acquisition of crime scene evidence is studied as well as genetic identification.

Why choose this course?

• It is accredited by the Forensic Science Society and recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).
• You will be eligible for admission to Associate Member of the RSC (AMRSC) when you graduate.
• Studying Forensic Science will give you key practical skills. You will take part in crime scene investigation workshops and learn how to process crime scene evidence in the laboratory.
• Your study will follow a crime-scene-to-court approach to forensic analysis.
• You'll get free e-student membership to the Forensic Science Society as well as personal protection equipment (PPE) and lab coats.
• You have the option to do a 12-month work placement.

Questions? Just ask NTU
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4200

What will I study?

Year One

• Forensic Biology and Microscopy
• The Forensic Process
• Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
• Forensic Chemistry
• Skills for Forensic Science

Year Two

• Crime Scene Investigation and Image Processing
• Biological Techniques in Forensic Science
• Forensic Toxicology: methods and applications
• Legal Issues in the Criminal Justice System
• Criminalistics
• Analytical Chemistry

Year Three
Optional year-long work placements are available.

Final Year

• Drugs of Abuse
• Research Project
• Genetics for Identification
• Advanced Crime Scene Investigation
• Ballistics and Firearms
• Forensic Archaeology and Palaeopathology

For further information, download the module descriptions document

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed on a variety of components.

Coursework and Practical 62%

• Assignments
• Dissertation
• Group projects
• Case studies
• Oral presentations
• Laboratory assessments and reports

Written 38%

• Exams
• Written tests

Industry links
Our Forensics team work with a wide range of organisations including:

• Forensic Science Society
• Royal Society of Chemistry
• Nottinghamshire Police
• Derbyshire Constabulary
• The Fingerprint Society
• HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs)
• The Institute of Forensic Research, Krakow, Poland.

What our students say

"NTU was my first choice because the course covers a wide range of topics, runs guest lectures / talks and has an emphasis on practical experience. This included the use of the crime scene house and the opportunity to include a placement year. I was lucky enough to be the first person to go to the Forensic Institute in Krakow, Poland for my placement.

"Upon graduating in 2008 with a first in Forensic Science, I was immediately employed by Scottish Police Services Authority's (SPSA) Forensic Services in Edinburgh as a forensic technician. Two years later I became a forensic examiner (drugs) and then for the last year and a half I've been in my current role."

Joni Walker, BSc (Hons) Forensic Science
Now working as a Forensic / Reporting Scientist (toxicology)

View the full course specification
Please note that course specifications may be subject to change

You will have access to a range of first-class facilities and will develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the graduate employment market.

Crime Scene Training Facility

This is a typical residential property based on-campus and used exclusively as a crime scene investigation training facility. The rooms are set up to replicate a range of realistic crime scene scenarios, ranging from burglaries and assaults to searches for illegal substances. You will:

• take on the role of Crime Scene Examiner
• develop your investigation, collection and analysis techniques.

Ballistics Laboratory

You will have access to a large reference collection of spent and inert shotgun, rifle, pistol and revolver ammunition to train in ammunition recognition.

The focal point of the Ballistics Laboratory is the comparison microscope, which you will use to identify the characteristics of spent cartridge cases and bullets recovered from crime scenes.

You will have access to ammunition and firearms identification databases, which are the same as those used by UK ballistics experts and firearms examiners.

Document Examination Laboratory

You will learn how to use the video spectral comparator (VSC) to determine the authenticity of security documents such as:

• passports
• identity cards
• currency.

You will also learn how to recover indented writing evidence from documents using the electrostatic detection apparatus (ESDA). A wide of photographic stands and specialist light sources are available for use in photographing a range of evidence types that have been recovered from crime scenes. All Forensic Science students are trained in digital photography and image processing.