BSc (Hons) Criminology and Forensic Investigation

Level One

Images of Crime and Social Control

The aim of this module is to facilitate a critical engagement with the dominant ideological depictions of crime and criminality. It seeks to challenge the way in which these interpretations inform the dominant commonsense explanations of, and responses to, crime and criminality. It explores recurring claims found in popular, media and political discourses and compares these with more criminological and academic insights in order to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of these issues/problems. The module seeks to underpin students’ understanding that the issues which criminology explores are more complex and demand greater consideration than many popular discourses suggest.

Applying Research

This module seeks to equip the students with the necessary research skills required to underpin quality research which can be utilised in their future research activities. It explores the methodologies employed in social research and allows students to apply these to their own research project and critique of methods. Students utilise quantitative and qualitative research methods and critically reflect upon their relative strengths and weaknesses for a variety of research exercises.

Introductory Biology

This module aims to provide a general grounding in biology for forensic science investigation. It examines the diversity of organisms, phylogeny and the key taxonomic differences between the main groups. It reviews the structure and composition of cells, tissue organisation and key structural characteristics of selected groups of organisms. Concepts and principles are introduced via formal lectures and further developed using laboratory practicals.

Crime Scene Investigation

This module is concerned with the skills required to protect, record, process and interpret a crime scene. Emphasis is placed on the role of crime scene investigation in the ‘forensic process’. The process of crime scene investigation is examined from scene preservation and recording to evidence recovery, packaging and documentation. Laboratory procedures for receiving and searching a submitted item are studied. Training in how to photographically record common crime scenes is also given. The module additionally introduces the English Legal System and the legal rules and procedures that govern criminal investigation.

Level Two

Applying Criminology

The aim of this module is to develop the rudimentary and student-centred grasp of crime developed through the more general approach to law, crime and order fostered at foundation level and to subject it to more sustained theoretical, political and practical scrutiny. The module explores the way in which the emergence of Criminology as a discipline is of theoretical, practical and political importance. It addresses the context of ideas about crime and punishment and the theoretical underpinnings of contemporary perspectives on, policies for, and alternatives to, crime control. This module seeks to show students how Criminology can be applied to contemporary law and order issues and problems.

Criminal Justice

This module aims to provide students with the necessary understanding of the component parts of the Criminal Justice ‘System’ in England and Wales. It allows the students to explore the diversity and interrelatedness of criminal justice policies and practices in this ‘system’. These policies and practices are evaluated within key theoretical frameworks which consider both the functions and appropriateness of key principles such as the due processes of law, justice and fairness. With particular reference to the police, courts and prison system, the module will examine the political issues which are often at the heart of the administration of the Criminal Justice ‘system’, emphasizing stereotypes and discriminatory practices principally in respect of gender, class and ‘race’.

Policing Studies

The key aim of this module are to address the questions: ‘What’ are the different forms of policing; ‘why’ do we ‘police’ ‘crime’ and ‘deviance’; ‘how’ is it ‘policed’; ‘where’ is it ‘policed’ and by whom? One of the key elements is the analysis of the ‘realities’ of the breadth of ‘policing’, and ‘policing practices’, and to contrast these with the theoretical and ideological debates. The question of who is responsible for ‘policing’, ‘crime’ and ‘deviance’ is confronted by focusing upon the various ways in which crime control and the responsibility for crime are subject to complex forms of ‘privatisation’.

Anatomy, Physiology and the Post-mortem Processes

This module provides the necessary background in anatomy and physiology to understand the structure and functions of the human body and its associated organs whilst alive, and the changes which occur on death. Such knowledge will have its application in post-mortem investigations and the determination of post-mortem interval. The module aims to promote an introductory understanding of human physiology relevant to forensic and investigative sciences.

Advanced Crime Scene Investigation and Analysis

This module focuses on the detection, recovery, analysis and interpretation of a wide range of evidence found at a crime scene. In considering this variety of evidence, students will develop an understanding of what implications the recovery of one type of evidence will have on other evidence present on the exhibit or at the scene i.e. the need for a holistic approach to crime scene investigation. The module develops an understanding of the importance of trace materials such as hair, fibres, glass and paint, and highlights the issues of transfer and persistence of such evidence. Students will be introduced to microscopy and analytical procedures and techniques relevant to the analysis of such evidence.

Criminology in the Professions

This is a vocationally oriented module where students reflect upon the relevance of criminological knowledge and skills in a variety of employment options. This is supported by close engagement with a variety of criminal justice and allied practitioners working in the field. The aim of the module is to set out how the methodological, academic and practical skills gained from students’ degree can be applied to their professional development culminating in the production of a professional development file. In partnership with the university’s careers service students are encouraged to explore potential links between researching for academic work and researching for relevant career applications. Students develop of a reflexive log, and additional components that are designed to develop their awareness of professional practice in occupations related to your criminology degree.

Level Three

Penology and Penal Policy

In this module students consider the complex debates and justifications for punishment and examine contemporary penal policy. This involves the philosophy of punishment, the social explanation of changing forms of punishment and analysis of the variety, meaning and utility of ‘new’ initiatives aimed at crime and criminality. It provides a thorough grounding in the theory, practice, history and justification of punishment, social control and penal policy. As well as addressing the philosophy of punishment, in terms of core concepts of justice, desert, deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation, reparation etc., it seeks to examine the way in which social control is a fundamental aspect of social relations. Current penal practice is subject to theoretical examination, especially in relation to punishment in the community, dangerousness, rehabilitation, monetary sanctions, re-integrative shaming, restorative justice and longer than normal sentencing.

Human Rights

This module analyses the central issue of human rights and its importance both to the politics of law and order and to the practice of national and international criminal justice. It focuses in particular on the critical reading of Human Rights as one single universal paradigm and whether Human Rights can and/or should be improved. The interdisciplinary approach of this module should be emphasised, as the aid of several disciplines is called upon, mainly but not exclusively, politics, legal philosophy, sociology, anthropology, international relations studies, post-colonial studies and criminology. Specific issues explored include contemporary issues such as the criminalisation of HIV transmission and access to health care.

Psychology, Crime and Criminology

This module focuses upon the relationship between Criminology and Psychology, how each approaches the problems of criminal or deviant conduct, and their distinctive contributions to criminal justice. A key aim is to analyse the extent to which psychology contributes/detracts from criminological projects. The module considers a range of psychological, psycho-social and psychoanalytic approaches to the study of ‘crime’ and ‘deviant’ behaviour and contrasts these with the predominantly sociological paradigm of criminology. The focus given to critical psychology aims to expose the political nature of different forms of explanation by revealing their ideological basis and biases. The module examines the tension between the instrumental values of control and domination and the possibility of more emancipatory values such as justice, mutuality, and autonomy.

Forensic Anthropology

This module is designed to develop student knowledge on aspects of the human skeleton and how these apply to forensic casework in identifying the individual. Students will learn how to identify age, sex, ‘race’, stature and pathology in relation to trauma. Students begin by learning and understanding the concept of ‘normal’ in the human skeleton, then work at recognising the many deviations from normal. Competent work in forensic anthropology is based upon this knowledge.

Forensic Entomology

This module builds on the knowledge of basic entomology and procedures at the crime scene. The module both reinforces and expands student understanding of the value of entomology as a tool in forensic science. Students become familiar with the life cycles of selected dipteran, lepidopteran and coleopteran species relevant to determining the post mortem interval and to examples of pest species which generate legal issues. Students will gain an understanding of the morphological characteristics of the life-cycle stages which allow identification and will be able to interpret the importance of the succession or community of arthropods associated with the scene of crime or legal issue.

Harm, Agency and Regulation

This module investigates the variety of ways in which harmful activities are executed and regulated and evaluates the role of criminalisation within these forms of misconduct. The competing claims of ‘individual/organisational’ agency feature strongly in this module as do the variety of frameworks and the feasibility of imposing ‘realistic’ sanctions. The module makes substantial use of the literature on social harm theory; organisational and corporate crime; white-collar crime/professional wrongdoing; international/transnational crime; and harmful activities – or neglect - by the state. Identifying and then criminalising or regulating economically and intellectually powerful groups as both criminal and or professional is a complex task, and the module will draw upon a range of examples to reflect this.

War Crimes and Genocide

This module offers students the opportunity to examine the justice and utility of criminalising misconduct on a much larger global scale, together with the ambiguities and moral dilemmas entailed in doing so. This module is constructed as an attempt to understand the ‘anatomy’ of war crimes and genocide – their origins, ideological basis, socio-political contexts, the techniques and technologies used - and whether there are precedented and unprecedented aspects to such phenomena. It considers the historical, philosophical, political and sociological aspects of war crimes and genocide. Theoretical discourses on war crime and genocide used in this module inform several case-studies focusing on Armenia, Rwanda, Sudan, the Former Republic of Yugoslavia, and Tibet.

The course aims to stimulate enquiring minds to support the production of their criminological and forensic science understanding of crime. The programme utilises the natural and social sciences to inform students’ understanding of crime. It fosters an applied but critical approach in students married to a broad range of skills which enhance opportunities for graduates. This is achieved through a diverse range of teaching methods from formal lectures and seminars, to group work activities, personal tutorials and applied laboratory and practical problem solving skills.

This degree programme offers a wide range of assessment methods across its various modules and these include more common/traditional methods such as essay and report assessments, undertaking reviews, group presentations and examination assessments. However many of these are more innovative in being more problem focused requiring students to apply the knowledge and skills which they have learnt to real problems and issues.

280 points to include a science subject preferably Biology or Chemistry.

A degree course in Criminology and Forensic Investigation emphasises the development of analytical and problem-solving skills which are very relevant to a wide range of employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors. There are significant demands for skills criminology and forensic science from law enforcement organisations (police, customs, environmental health) and investigatory agencies. But the extensiveness of problem centred skills developed in diverse and innovative assessments are designed to underpin extensive competencies which employers’ value greatly.