Forensic Science

BSc (Hons), BSc

Modes of Study: Three years full time, four years with sandwich year, four or five years with foundation year
UCAS Code: F410

Introduction | Course Factfile | Faculty contact details | Further information

Introduction

Any science used in investigations related to the courts or applied by law-enforcing agencies is forensic; thus, in its broadest sense, forensic science encompasses a large number of different scientific fields and activities. However,the common perception is that forensic science consists of essentially three broad areas:
  • Crime Scene Investigation
  • Laboratory Analysis
  • Pathology/Histology
There seems to be universal agreement within the profession that a general forensic scientist should possess a sound knowledge of the analytical methods of biology and chemistry, as well as being trained in crime scene investigation. In addition, he or she should have a basic knowledge of the law and the methodology for assessing evidential value.

Over the past 50 years the analytical methods employed by forensic scientists have become very powerful. Forensic investigators utilise a wide arsenal of techniques from various scientific disciplines, ranging from visual examination to physical or chemical analyses, such as high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, visible UV- and IR- spectroscopy. The power of the methods employed by forensic scientists is graphically illustrated by the fact that a full DNA-profile may now be obtained from a single hair root. Similarly, a single fibre is normally sufficient for analysis of its dye components and - under a special scanning electron microscope - a grain of gunshot residue may be investigated for both its size and shape and its chemical composition.

Traditionally, forensic science laboratories were government owned and mainly served the police and the prosecution service. Now a semi-independent government agency, the Forensic Science Service (FSS), remains the largest forensic service provider in Great Britain and covers England, with six laboratories in London, Chepstow, Birmingham, Chorley, Huntingdon and Wetherby. In Ireland (NI and RI) there are two non-FSS, Government-associated laboratories. In Scotland, forensic science services are provided by laboratories in Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

This is an overview of the course, for full course details / printer friendly version please click here

Faculty contact details.

Please contact the Faculty of Science on:

tel: 0151 231 2888
fax: 0151 207 3224
email: ScienceAdmissions@ljmu.ac.uk

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Further information

If you have any queries relating to other courses at LJMU please contact:

Course Enquiries
Tel: +44(0)151 231 5090
Email:courses@ljmu.ac.uk

Page last modified by Unknown on 23 March 2010.
 
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