BSc (Hons) Criminology and Forensic Studies
Our Recognised Course
The University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Criminal Justice Studies is within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Institute was established in 1992 and BSc (Hons) Criminology with Forensic Studies joined the suite of courses in 2007. Find out more about BSc Criminology and Forensic Studies.
Our students take a range of core units on Criminology, Criminal Justice, Techniques of Scientific Investigation and Crime Scene Investigation and can also choose from optional units including Forensic Science, Forensic Taphonomy, Firearms Investigation and Wildlife Crime. Many of our staff have a strong background working in the field including ex-police officers and Crime Scene Investigators from many UK forces, an entomologist, forensic chemist and a former Forensic DNA Analyst.
Our Business Partnerships
The Forensic Innovation Centre, opened in 2015, forms the hub of our business partnership with Hampshire Constabulary. The first arrangement of its kind sees an operational police unit on campus giving students access to first hand, real time policing, investigation and research. Opportunities for students include internships and placements with Hampshire Constabulary, including working with CSIs, fingerprint development experts and the digital forensic group.
We promote our specific Study Abroad year with Universities across the world, including Malta, Norway, Germany, Canada and South Korea, and we also work with colleagues at Saxony Police in Dresden, Germany, which has involved shared research projects, including working visits for both staff and students.
Our Facilities
To support teaching with practical learning, we have a two-bedroom flat, mock crime facility. The rooms are designed so they can be adapted to suit different crime scene scenarios. The facility also houses a briefing room and AV equipment for in situ teaching, so that students can benefit from realistic but safe and controlled teaching environments. We also have well-equipped laboratory facilities, shared with Hampshire Constabulary, including equipped for research and teaching in fingermark development, alternative light sources, 3D and digital technologies, microscopy and taphonomy.
Find out more on the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies website.