Robert Gordon University (RGU) was the first University in Scotland to be accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (formerly known as the Forensic Science Society) in 2006 and therefore provides a well-established course, where students benefit from staff experienced in course provision. It is accredited in three of the Society’s Component Standards – Laboratory Analysis, Crime Scene Investigation, and Interpretation, Evaluation and Presentation of Evidence. The BSc (Hons) Forensic & Analytical Science course was recently ranked in the Top 10 for Forensic Science by the “Complete University Guide 2017” League Tables.
Delivery
Figure 1 The Sir Ian Wood Building
The course is delivered in phase one of the £120 million new campus (Figure 1) with state of the art facilities within purpose built laboratories.
It is delivered by highly experienced forensic practitioners, analytical scientists and external industrial experts who are focused on providing students with the scientific and investigative skills they will need to succeed in this highly competitive profession, or in analytical laboratories.
The strategy of the course team is to teach principles of scientific investigation and analysis through the medium of forensic related activities and case studies, thereby producing graduates who will have the full complement of skills to gain employment in forensic and / or analytical sciences. The course has a high percentage of laboratory based activities and the applied nature of the course means that the graduates from RGU are well placed to gain employment.
Facilities
The course is designed to cover all aspects of a forensic scientist from gathering evidence at a crime scene, analysing evidence to writing court reports and giving evidence in a court room setting. This therefore requires a wide range of facilities.
The University has a dedicated Crime Scene House (Figure 2) on campus and extensive outdoor parkland around the campus that has allowed the provision of a wider variety of simulated crime scene scenarios including photography and recovery of footwear impressions (Figure 3).
Figure 2 - Crime Scene House.
Figure 3 Students Collecting Evidence
The purpose built analytical laboratory (Figure 4) includes a wide range of analytical instrumentation which are strongly utilised throughout the Forensic & Analytical Science course including GC-FID, ICP-OES and LC-MS. An additional forensic imaging laboratory (Figure 5) also enables students to analyse a wide range of trace evidence samples using Comparison Macro and Microscopes, Glass Refractive Index analysis, FTIR microscopy, visible light micro spectrophotometer and SEM-EDXA. These facilities provide the students with hands on experience and confidence to utilise any instrumentation they may use in future employment.
Figure 4 Analytical Laboratory Figure 5 Forensic Imaging Laboratory
For Forensic Biology and DNA analysis we have a biological sciences laboratory for large scale practical sessions such as DNA extraction, PCR and electrophoresis. We also have a dedicated DNA trace evidence laboratory for low level DNA work, which is specifically used by our final year project students. In addition, the School has an ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer which has been used for both DNA fragment analysis and DNA sequencing purposes. The students also gain access to the Moot Court in the University’s Law School, where the students end their journey from the Crime Scene to the court room and give evidence as an expert witness with cross examination from Staff. These experiences therefore provide students with an array of transferrable skills which all enhance their employability.
Placement
The students may undertake an optional 12-month placement in a scientific laboratory after year 3, subject to availability.
Professional Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Chartered Society for Forensic Sciences (CSFS). Additionally, students will also satisfy the criteria for Associate Membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
The students are also encouraged to join the CSFS from Stage 1 to help with their personal development and are encouraged to attend conferences and professional events. The top forensic final year project posters are also submitted to the annual FORensic RESearch and Teaching (FORREST) international conference.
Career Options
Our graduates have went on to achieve a diverse range of employment in a number of industries:
Forensic: Scene Examiner, Police Officer, Drugs Analyst, Forensic Examiner.
Oil and gas: Product Development Chemist, Research and Development Technologist, Laboratory Chemist.
Environmental: Marine Chemist, Analyst, Field Services and Soil Coordinator.
Food and Drink: Laboratory Analyst, Quality Assurance Manager, Quality Control Laboratory Technician.
Pharmaceutical/Clinical: Assistant Pathologist, Research Assistant, Medical Laboratory Assistant
Postgraduate study (MSc and PhD) in specialist forensic disciplines, analytical or organic chemistry as well as cellular and molecular biology and teaching are other routes many of our graduates choose to take. There are also opportunities for students to pursue forensic and analytical research at RGU, for example in advances in DNA technologies, Environmental Analysis and Drugs and Toxicology.
Student Testimonials
“Having graduated from the Forensic and Analytical Science course at Robert Gordon University last summer I can’t help but feel extremely grateful for the fantastic education I was given. I recently began working with the Scottish Police Authority as a level 2 Scene Examiner and due to my degree I feel I have went into the job with a solid understanding of forensic science. Since starting my job, I have realised how much RGU prepared me for the job. The course covers a wide variety of forensic principles and all of which have helped me in my short time as a scene examiner. The Forensic and Analytical Science course at Robert Gordon University is a fantastic course, and one, which I would highly recommend to anyone with an aspiration to work in Forensic Science.”
Adam Davidson - Scene Examiner with SPA, 2016 Graduate
“I had offers from other universities for similar courses but I know I made the right choice. So why RGU? Well it has to be the hands on approach from day one. From the mock crime scenes to the moot court I gained an overall appreciation to what true forensic science is. Although there were times I couldn’t see the overall goal everything fell into place in the end. My time at RGU was some of the best years and I would be lying if I said this was not due to the course and the university staff as well. Forensics isn’t just about the application of science to the law; this is one of the many things RGU taught me in my 4 years. The course not only gives you the practical skills you need for any analytical job; it trains you to question the way you think and teaches you to think critically and obtain that much needed mind set. This analytical mind set is not only relevant to crime scene forensics but science in general from a SOCO to a drug analyst.”
Gareth Fenn - Laboratory Technician at VWR International, 2016 Graduate
Want to Know More?
Please contact:
Dr Simon Officer (Forensic & Analytical Science Course Leader): s.officer@rgu.ac.uk
Or visit the RGU website: