BSc Honours in Forensic Investigation Programme Leader Dr

BSc Honours in Forensic Investigation Programme Leader: - Dr John Mac. Lachlan Deputy Programme Leader: - Dr Moyra Mc. Naughtan

Forensic Investigation ‘the use of science in the investigation of crime by the police and by the courts as evidence in resolving an issue on any subsequent trial’

Forensic Investigation n Following a crash a car driver claims that the large quantity of pills found in the boot of his car are vitamin tablets…. but are they? n A camper van is on fire at the side of a road; is it arson? n What’s the powder in the bag? Drugs?

Forensic Investigation n Were the bullets found at the scene of a crime fired by the gun found in the attic of a suspects house? n Do the fibres found at the scene of a crime match those from a suspect? n Is the accused the rapist?

Has a crime been committed? In most cases there is no doubt… (eye–witness? ) …but in a number of occasions only a scientific examination of the items can confirm this.

Analytical techniques used… n Chromatography ¨ High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) ¨ Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS)

Spectroscopic Techniques used. . n Atomic Absorption (AA) n Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) n UV/vis n Fluorescence

DNA Analysis

Microscopy n n n Light Microscopy Comparison Microscope Confocal Microscopy Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

Forensic Laboratories June 2009 September 2009

What’s in the programme? n 24 modules over 4 years n n Chemistry n Biology 15 or 17 3 or 5 n n Law 2 n Maths/Stats 1 n n Physics 1 n The Chemical Sciences with key Biological Sciences are studied in depth & form the core of the programme Options give students the choice of an Environmental Forensics or Forensic Biology strand Hands-on approach Graduates eligible/recognised for RSC membership

Programme Structure BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation Environmental & Forensic Biology Options Level Semester A 1 Chemistry (0. 5) *Introduction to Maths & Stats Forensic (0. 5) Investigation Professional Orientation and Practice Semester B Business Law 1 Human Biology Chemistry (0. 5) Maths & Stats (0. 5) Civil and Criminal Procedure Chemical Analysis Organic Chemistry 1 Forensic lnorganic Chemistry The Gene 3 Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Organic Chemistry 2 Options: see below Forensic Analysis Chemical Data Analysis and Management Major Incidents and Engineering Failures 4 Project Forensic Microscopy Advanced Techniques in Forensic Analysis Project Options: see below Advanced Forensic Biology Environmental Forensics 3 A Essential Molecular Biology Environmental Chemistry 4 B Toxicology Environmental Forensic Analysis 2 Options Level Physical Chemistry * Includes psychology contribution Physics

Career Opportunities n Forensic Area in Criminal Cases n The Police Service n Environmental Protection n Food and Drinks companies n Pharmaceuticals n Oil and Gas Industry n Health Services Also Areas which are not degree specific, n ¨ n e. g. Management Teaching

Career Opportunities n Forensic Area ¨ n Law Enforcement & Protection ¨ n Forensic Science, Forensic Accident Investigation; Fire Investigation. Police Service; Criminal Justice System; Security Companies; Customs and Excise; Prison Service; Immigration Service; Armed Forces Environmental Forensic Areas ¨ Environmental Regulatory Compliance; Waste treatment; Recycling; Pollution Monitoring and Prevention; Environmental Protection Officer.

Career Opportunities continued. . n Public Areas & Consumer Protection ¨ n Environmental Health Officer; Health & Safety Inspector; Safety Officer; Public Health Laboratory Scientist Chemical Analysis Posts in manufacturing industry; the pharmaceutical sector; food and drinks industries; environmental protection; oil and gas sector ¨ Quality Assurance ¨ n Insurance ¨ n Patent Area ¨ n Loss Adjusting; Claims Investigation; Accident Investigation Patent Examiner; Intellectual Property Policy Directorate etc. Not degree specific areas: - Management, teaching

Some examples of where our graduates work…. n n n n n Strathclyde Police Forensic Services SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) Public Analyst Quintiles (Pharmaceutical company) Glaxo. Smith. Kline Corus Diageo Teacher training Further education – MSc & Ph. D

Study Abroad n Opportunity to complete part of your studies at one of our partner institutions in: ¨ Europe ¨ Canada ¨ USA.

is C y he og m ol Bi try the use of science in the investigation of crime STUDY ABROAD Speak to us about the varied career opportunities in this area