Elements of forensic science
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Forensic science is rarely out of the news, whether for its triumphs in solving crimes or for questions raised by its use or sometimes misuse. This course looks at the application of this science to topics such as the identification of individuals by the analysis of invisible traces of DNA, the analysis of body fluids in crime detection, and fingerprints and their visualisation. The emphasis is on the use of scientific evidence in the processes and procedures of forensic science from crime scene to court. To study this course you need to have some basic knowledge of chemistry, DNA and genetics.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | S187 |
| Credits | 10 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
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 study 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 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 a 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 study 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.
You should be able to read and understand written English of a style and complexity characteristic of feature length articles and science reports in ‘quality’ newspapers; you should also be able to communicate your thoughts clearly and comprehensibly in a written format. Mathematically, you need to be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
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.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
A proportion of the course is delivered online via the course website, so you will have to spend some time using a personal computer and the internet. Written transcripts of the audio-visual material are available.
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 scientific or diagrammatic materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
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 publication Meeting your needs.
You can also find information about accessible study 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.
Study materials
What's included
Two books (the OU study book and Forensic Science by Andrew and Julie Jackson), study guide, website with links to resources on forensic science, maths skills ebook.
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 2005 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 contact a team of expert science study advisers by telephone or through an online discussion forum, and they will be able to help you with academic questions to do with the course and the assessment. There will also be an online discussion forum that you can use to get in touch with 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 system to submit your end-of-module assessment (EMA).
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 and May 2012. It will be available again in October 2012. We then expect it to be available twice a year, in April and October. More details will be available in June 2012.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | S187 |
| Credits | 10 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
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