Elements of forensic science
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| End-of-course assessment | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
Elements of forensic science is one of a series of short, flexible 10-point courses introducing fascinating topics in science. This course is for people who have a basic knowledge of chemistry, DNA and genetics and who want to understand how this science is applied to crime scene investigations. It also enables you to try out an area of study before you commit yourself to a longer course, or top up your knowledge and skills between longer courses. It has a choice of start dates, and you decide how long to take over your studies: eight to ten weeks, or up to five months.
Course content
Forensic science is the application of scientific knowledge to questions of civil and criminal law. Interest in forensic science has grown considerably in recent years and this is reflected in the abundance of media coverage and popular TV programmes. The course explores how forensic scientists work, the techniques they use and how they reach the conclusions they present in court. Forensic science uses a wide range of scientific techniques so it can become very complex to study, although every attempt is made in the course to ensure that the science is accessible. In this course we focus on topics relating to the human body. You will learn about fingerprints, body fluids, drugs and DNA. DNA testing is a fascinating topic and many controversial cases hinge on DNA evidence. You will find out why DNA is such a useful substance in forensic science and some of the reasons why its use can be controversial.
Forensic science is not just about making scientific measurements. For a successful and safe prosecution in court it is crucial that the correct processes and procedures are followed to tie the accused to the crime scene unambiguously. You will learn about the ‘forensic process’; how the police and forensic scientists work together to take a structured and logical approach to collecting, analysing and presenting forensic data. The understanding you will gain of the importance and significance of scientific evidence can be applied in a wide range of other contexts.
Some of the scientific concepts underpinning forensic science will be introduced and reinforced at appropriate points in the course, including the techniques used to separate one substance from another.
By the end of the course you will have a good understanding of some of the processes involved in forensic science from the crime scene to the courtroom. You will also have developed a range of study skills associated with retrieving and interpreting information from a variety of sources. At the end of the course you will be asked to use some articles and other information about a particular crime or crimes to analyse the processes and comment on the use of data in that situation.
The course is based around approximately half the chapters in the course book, Forensic Science, by Andrew and Julie Jackson. You will be guided through these chapters by a specially written study book, which provides some of the background science, and there will be questions and activities to help you test your understanding. There will also be a course website with activities and links to other interesting and informative sites.
Entry
The course assumes a basic knowledge of chemistry and biology, particularly DNA and genetics. The nature of the subject means that some parts of the course are conceptually fairly demanding, so if you are new to studying at university level you are advised not to take this as your first course. We recommend Molecules, medicines and drugs: a chemical story (SK185) and Human genetics and health issues (SK195) as suitable short courses to study before S187. Alternatively, the science in Exploring science (S104) is excellent preparation. If your science background is limited or ‘rusty’, revision material will be available on the course website but study of it will be outside the time allocated for the course.
If you already have some scientific knowledge there is still plenty for you to learn, as forensic science has its own challenges and disciplines. You must be prepared to study some parts of the course book in detail, while other, often more complex, sections will be studied at a superficial level, so you will have to accept that you may not understand in depth all you are reading. This is an important skill that professional scientists have to develop.
Mathematically, you need to be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide. In order to be able to study the course book, you should be comfortable reading feature length articles and science reports in ‘quality’ newspapers; you should also be able to write down a simple explanation in a logical way.
If you would like more information about the range of science short courses available you can visit the science short courses website. This site includes a frequently asked questions section and throughout the year details of special regional events are posted here.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
This is an optional course in our:
- BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (B16)
- BSc (Honours) Molecular Science (B26)
- BSc (Honours) Life Sciences (B28)
- Certificate in Contemporary Science (C70)
- Certificate in Health Sciences (C78)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Health Sciences (E49)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Paramedic Sciences (E52)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Analytical Sciences (E53)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Operating Department Practice (E58)
- Foundation Degree in Paramedic Sciences (G11)
- Foundation Degree in Health Sciences (G12)
- Foundation Degree in Analytical Sciences (G15)
- Foundation Degree in Operating Department Practice (G19)
It can also count as 10 points towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it can help to weight your degree towards a BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant award descriptions for information on the circumstances in which the course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements of a qualification may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader (and where applicable: musical notation and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way). Large print versions of the course materials can be provided on request. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
You will need to make considerable use of a personal computer. If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting your needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Two books (the OU study book and Forensic Science, second edition by Andrew and Julie Jackson), study guide, website with links to resources on forensic science, maths skills ebook, assessment.
You will need
Basic scientific calculator.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Study support
You can telephone or email a study adviser, who will be able to help you with academic questions related to the course or the assessment. There will also be an online discussion forum that you can use to get in touch with study advisers and other students.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You must use the online eTMA system to submit your end-of-course assessment (ECA).
For each course presentation there is a choice of two alternative dates by which you have to submit the single piece of written work for assessment: February course start completes end of April or end of July; May start completes end of July or end of October; September start completes end of October or end of January; November start completes end of January or end of April.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February, May, September and November each year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Science.
Study explained
- Course
- - a module of study that can count towards a qualification.
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Level
- - indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
Student Reviews
Fascinating course beautifully written and presented. I enjoyed this course tremendously and hope there will be a follow on at ...
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This course was superb. Anyone fascinated in CSI and Forensics should definitely take this course up! The support is great ...
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