The modern forensic chemist must operate successfully across a range of forensic and chemical disciplines, applying core knowledge to a range of unfamiliar problems. In this module, you will venture through a diverse and challenging range of practical forensic, chemical and theoretical experiences. You will develop your incident scene investigation skills, applying skills in evidence retrieval, preservation and documentation. The experiments you will come across will cross many disciplines to illustrate the multi-faceted, versatile, and employable characteristics of a practising forensic chemist. At the end of this module, you will have become more confident working alone and in groups to carry out, understand, analyse, evaluate, improve, and report on your forensic science and chemistry practical work. The range of skills you will develop during this module will critically underpin success in the remainder of your studies and beyond.
Practical 96 hours
2,000 words Short Writing Piece. Assessment Details: Investigation Assessment worth 30%.
3,000 words Portfolio. Assessment Details: Chemistry Laboratory Assessments (x 4) worth 40%.
2,000 words Short Writing Piece. Assessment Details: Analytical Assessment worth 30%.
N/A Practical Competency. Assessment Details: Laboratory Attendance worth Pass/Fail%. This Assessment is Pass Compulsory.
Reassessment Method: 100% Written Assessment (1,500 words).
Students must repeat the module in attendance the following academic year if they fail the laboratory attendance Pass/Fail component. This is due to PSRB laboratory practical hours requirements.
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1. Select appropriate techniques during the investigation of incident scenes and analysis of evidence in aid of evidence preservation, while employing suitable anti-contamination procedures.
2. Collaborate within investigative teams, making the most of the time and resources available to solve forensic problems.
3. Apply industry-standard skills and advanced techniques in practical wet chemistry.
4. Practice techniques in the safe handling of hazardous chemical materials, including the identification of specific hazards and how to risk assess these.
5. Incorporate experimental design, appropriate analysis and presentation of results in the context of research and scientific enquiry.
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