Nottingham Trent University

BSc (Hons) Forensic Science

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

About this course  

On this course you'll take part in crime scene investigation workshops in our Crime Scene Training Facility and learn how to process physical evidence in the laboratory.

You’ll use case studies to gain an insight into forensic investigations as well as getting hands-on experience with analytical instruments and microscopy. Your studies will be set against a backdrop of the English legal system, putting your learning into juridical context.

This course is  by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS). You’ll be able to join this organisation as an Associate Member when you graduate, improving your networking and career opportunities.

How you’re taught

Teaching takes place through lectures, laboratory sessions, workshops and seminars. We run a series of guest lectures with a strong forensics theme. Recent sessions have included case reviews presented by the Police, Key Forensics and the Natural History Museum.

In Year One you’ll receive one year's student membership of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. This provides access to journals, webinars and conferences.

You can take a year-long or short summer placement to gain industry experience. Recently students have worked at East Midlands Support for Operations Unit (EMSOU), Forensic Services, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Minton Public Analysts. On successful completion of your placement, you’ll receive the Placement Diploma in Professional Practice, a great addition to your CV.

As part of this course, you’ll also have the unique opportunity to apply to spend your second year studying at our partner university in Canada. You’ll get experience of different cultures and approaches, as well as broadening your perspectives.

You’ll graduate with strong scientific investigation skills, event reconstruction and evidence presentation, all of which are highly valued by employers in chemistry, biology and physics as well as the forensic science industries.

Unique facilities

You'll gain the experience you need with hands-on learning in our state-of-the-art facilities which include:

Crime Scene Training Facility

We are home to one of the biggest crime scene training facilities in the UK.  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 and cyber crime.  There is a room for blood pattern analysis, where you can see how blood moves under different conditions, and a CCTV room with access to 26 cameras including face-tracking.  You'll be able to take on the role of crime scene examiner and 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.  The ammunition and firearms identification databases 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.

Your Career Development

This course prepares you for a wide range of career opportunities.  It will help you to develop skills in scientific investigation, reconstruction of events and the presentation of findings which are greatly respected by employers in the fields of chemistry, biology and physics.  You'll also gain essential, transferable skills including report communication, team working and problem solving.  Many graduates also choose to undertake further study on one of our Masters-level courses or MPhil and PhD research degrees.

Excellent Placement Opportunities

You'll have the opportunity to undertake a year's work placement in industry in the second year.  This will give you the chance to gain vital experience and put your knowledge into practice.  Many students impress their placement employers so much they are offered jobs upon graduation.

"At the end of my second year of study I was lucky enough to be awarded a prestigious internship with Interpol, the world's largest international police organisation."  Interpol facilities cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organisations, authorities and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime.  My placement consisted of a six-month internship at the DNA and Identification Unit based in Lyon, France.  I was really excited about my placement and the experience gained from working life and living in a foreign country."

Claire Dennis, BSc (Hons) Forensic Science - Placement:  Interpol

Find out more about this course

For more information about this course and how to apply, contact us:

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 4200
www.ntu.ac.uk/sat

return to universities offering accredited programmes page