BI3FOR2: Forensics

Module code: BI3FOR2

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Dyan Sellayah, email: d.sellayah@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Alejandra Perotti, email: M.A.Perotti@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Forensics focusses on understanding the scientific basis for crime scene analysis and the application of scientific techniques, approaches and knowledge to the solving of crimes. In this module, you will study key principles and processes of biological sciences through the perspective of criminology and discover how cutting-edge science has been used to solve some of the most complex criminal cases. This module will cover a wide range of topics including forensic pathology, forensic anthropology, forensic entomology, and forensic acarology.  

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate an awareness of the role of biology in solving crimes. 
2. Discuss how molecular biology techniques can be applied to crime scene analysis and the solving of crimes. 
3. Explain how knowledge of ecological and zoological processes (e.g. life cycle and behaviour of insects) can be used to determine time and cause of death and to solve crimes. 
4. Articulate how knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and pathology can be utilized to establish manner and cause of death and thereby help to solve crimes.  

Module content

Lecture material will include the following topics: 

• Forensic pathology and autopsy  
• Forensic anthropology 
• Biological and chemical evidence gathering and analysis 
• DNA fingerprinting and forensic genealogy  
• Invertebrate and plant evidence gathering  
• Forensic botany 
• Forensic entomology 
• Ectoparasites and forensic acarology 
• Crime science processing  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, seminars, practical workshops and group-based activities, self-directed learning and directed independent study. Traditional teaching approaches will be combined with practical workshops in which students will experience how crime scenes are processed and biological data collected in an authentic learning environment.  Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided on Blackboard. 

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs