Forensic Anthropology Schools

by University of Maryland Press Releases

Forensic science – Which course is best

In this Forensic Science Diploma we will examine the fascinating subject of Forensic Science.  Forensic science can be simply defined as the application of science to the law.  In criminal cases forensic scientists are often involved in the search for, and examination of, physical traces which might be useful for establishing or excluding an association between someone suspected of committing a crime and the scene of the crime or victim.  Such traces commonly include blood and other body fluids, hairs, textile fibres from clothing etc., materials used in buildings such as paint and glass, footwear, tool and tyre marks, flammable substances used to start fires and so on.  Sometimes the scientist will visit the scene itself to advise about likely sequence of events, any indicators as to who the perpetrator might be, and to join in the initial search for evidence.  Other forensic scientists analyse suspected drugs of abuse, specimens from people thought to have taken them or to have been driving after drinking too much alcohol, or to have been poisoned.  Yet others specialise in firearms, explosives, or documents whose authenticity is questioned.

In civil cases forensic scientists may become involved in some of the same sorts of examinations and analyses but directed to resolving disputes as to, for example, the cause of a fire or a road accident for which damages are being claimed.

Forensic scientists can appear for either side – prosecution or defence in criminal matters, and plaintiff or defendant in civil ones.  They tend to present their findings and opinions in written form either as formal statements of evidence or reports.  Sometimes they are required to attend court to give their evidence in person.  However, the evidence is produced and whether supporting the case for the prosecution or the defence, the evidence collected and presented by forensic scientists is subject to the rules of evidence and the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.  For this reason the importance of the continuity of the chain of evidence will be stressed throughout the course.

The origins of forensic science, which can be traced back to Imperial Rome and even earlier to Ancient China, are discussed in the first module of the Forensic Science Diploma where you will have a brief introduction to the pioneers of forensics.  The assessment for this module will require you to draw up a time line of forensic developments and to match forensic innovators with their particular contribution to the body of forensic knowledge.  The second module is composed of a case study describing a particular crime scene.  The module will examine who does what at the crime scene, which specialists attended or were involved, which branches of forensic science were involved, how evidence was collected, preserved and presented.  At the end of this module there will be a completed example case study report and some knowledge checks designed to get you to organise the information you have acquired into a format that you feel comfortable with.  There is also a requirement to submit a 500 word essay.  Subsequent modules within the Forensic Science Diploma will present a detailed discussion of the forensic specialists and specialisations involved in the case study.  Each module will be followed by knowledge checks and an essay requirement.  This pattern will be followed throughout the Forensic Science Diploma and you will examine a number of case studies.  It is only the essays and/or case study exercises that need be submitted for assessment.  There is no examination.  You will be assessed solely on the course work.

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