Course Handbook 2020-2021 - UCLan
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Course Handbook
BSc (Hons) Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation
2020-2021
Course Leader: Deryck Sharples
School of Forensic and Applied Sciences
Please read this Handbook in conjunction with the University’s Student Handbook.
All course materials, including lecture notes and other additional materials related to
your course and provided to you, whether electronically or in hard copy, as part of your
study, are the property of (or licensed to) UCLan and MUST not be distributed, sold,
published, made available to others or copied other than for your personal study use
unless you have gained written permission to do so from the Dean of School. This
applies to the materials in their entirety and to any part of the materials.Contents
1 Welcome to the Course
2 Structure of the Course
3 Approaches to teaching and learning
4 Student Support
5 Assessment
6 Classification of Awards
7 Student Feedback
8 Appendices
8.1 Programme Specification(s)1. Welcome to the course
The BSc (Hons) Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation is run by the School of
Forensic and Applied Sciences. The role of the School in general and this course of
study in particular, are to enhance knowledge, understanding and application of
forensic science and domestic and international criminal investigation by formal
teaching, research and scholarship. As your awareness of forensic science and
criminal investigation grows you will begin to appreciate the multi-disciplinary
approach adopted in the modern-day investigative process. During your course you
will acquire an understanding of how these specialist fields interact and you will
therefore be studying a wide range of subject areas. Broadly speaking, there are three
compulsory streams of study: criminal investigation, crime scene science and forensic
science. You will also have the opportunity to specialise further in the fields of crime
scene investigation or forensic anthropology.
This course, one of the first of its kind in England, has been designed to focus on the
analytical knowledge and skills required by crime and crime scene investigators.
When thinking of crime investigation, most people automatically think of the police
service but there are many other organisations engaged in the investigation of crime.
In the public sector there are criminal investigation branches in many government
Schools such as the National Health Service (Counter Fraud), School of Trade and
Industry (‘DTI’), School for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (‘Defra’), Benefits
Agency, HM Customs & Excise, National Crime Agency; and each arm of the military
has its own, specialised investigative branch. Every local authority employs
investigators in enforcement roles and consumer protection.
In the private sector there are many organisations employing investigators to look into
insurance frauds, copyright and counterfeiting. There are also a growing number of
organisations tasked with the investigation of international crime and abuses of
human rights and the presentation of evidence to the various international courts and
tribunals. The course will equip students for employment in any of these fields.
Additionally, the course develops a wide range of skills that are required for a career
outside the fields of forensic science and criminal investigation; for example, the
military, other aspects of science, management or teaching. Experience has shown
that many graduates take up a career in a range of related areas.
The School has strong links with various Forensic Science Providers including LGC
and Cellmark, the Crown Prosecution Service and Scientific Support Units especially
in the North West of England and elsewhere in the U.K. Liaison with ‘front-line’
investigators and both legal and forensic science practitioners has been central to the
development of the School and there has been significant input by such specialists
into the course design, development and delivery. Links such as these ensure both
that you will have the opportunity to develop a unique insight into both forensic
science and criminal investigation and that the quality and relevance of the courses is
maintained. The course itself is designed so that after each year of study you will have
the knowledge base and practical ability of Volume Crime Scene Investigators, CrimeScene Investigators and management. This is achieved as a result of mapping the teaching materials against the National Occupational Standards for VCSI’s and CSI’s. The School has invested in specialist teaching facilities for all of its courses. These include evidence search and recovery laboratories, a microscopy suite for scientific investigation, three crime scene houses and a forensic warehouse in which is located our vehicle examination
facilities complete with four vehicles. In the latter two facilities you will learn how to record
the crime scene using photography, identify, enhance and recover all types of evidence,
record the intelligence obtainable from that evidence and interpret the crime scene.
1.1 Rationale, aims and learning outcomes of the course
It is important that both you and your teaching team are clear
about what you are striving to achieve over the next three years of
your studies, and to that end the aims and objectives of the course
are outlined in the paragraphs that follow.
The specific aims of the course are:
• To foster the development of key academic, vocational and
personal skills to prepare students for a career as a crime scene or crime investigator,
particularly with those domestic and international agencies which place a high reliance
on scientific evidence in the identification and prosecution of offenders.
• To provide detailed contextual knowledge of subjects underpinning forensic and
investigative science in the broad areas of law, criminal investigation, and one of
anthropology or crime scene investigation.
• Through simulated experience of gathering evidence from both scientific and other
sources, to develop the practical skills necessary to contribute to a criminal, crime
scene and scientific examination.
• To provide practical experience of scientific and criminal investigations and forensic
casework.
• To foster the development of the transferable and key skills required for further
academic and vocational training and in employment, including communication and
inter-personal skills.
• To develop critical and analytical thought.
What are the Learning Outcomes of the course?
The learning outcomes which follow should provide you with an understanding of the
global learning goals which apply to the course. However, in the booklet for each
module that will be provided, you will find individual syllabuses and the detailed
learning outcomes for each particular module.
By the end of the course you should achieve the following outcomes:
Knowledge and Understanding
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas:
Describe the principles relevant to criminal investigation and the
court process, crime scene science, forensic science and evidence
gathering
Explain and apply the rules of domestic and international criminal law
Explain and evaluate the roles of the people within the English
and international legal systems,
Correctly use the terminology and classification of law and criminal investigation
Apply the practical skills essential to a modern criminal investigation.Cognitive Skills
• Demonstrate the following cognitive skills:
Selection and analysis of information from written, electronic and interview-
based sources.
Formulation of structured arguments, hypotheses and lines of enquiry and
the execution and critical evaluation of these in the light of specific evidence.
Presentation on the results of investigative studies.
Subject Specific Skills
• Demonstrate the following subject specific skills:
Apply range of practical techniques in the investigation of crime and the
recovery, preservation and documentation of scientific evidence
Critically evaluate evidence within the law of evidence and relate it to substantive law.
Describe and evaluate major concepts and principles of law.
Use the correct terminology, nomenclature and classification of law and
criminal investigation.
Organise and conduct investigative interviews.
Assess and examine crime scenes and recover, analyse and interpret
physical evidence.
Apply specialist knowledge of forensic practices to investigations and cases.
Work safely and effectively in the laboratory, at crime scenes and in simulated
law enforcement situations
Demonstrate skills in communication, independent thought, analysis
and research, observation and teamwork.
Transferable Skills/Key Skills
• Manage time and learning/work activities.
• Work individually and in a group to solve ‘real world’ problems.
• Learn independently, making use of written, electronic and human
sources of information.
• Communicate effectively, both individually and as part of a group.
• Apply specialist knowledge of forensic practices to investigations and cases.
• Perform calculations and appropriate statistical analysis.
• Management of people and situations, such as crime scenes and incidents.
• Analyse problems and generate a dissertation plan.
As it is often useful to identify the different learning outcomes that you will be expected
to achieve in each module; the programme specification in Appendix B plots the
different learning outcomes against each module.1.2 Course Team
You will mainly be taught by staff from the School of Forensic and Applied Sciences at the
University. This list represents those co-ordinating particular areas, or who have particular
roles in the delivery of the Course. We have included their qualifications so that you can
see where their expertise lies.
Academic Staff
Deryck Sharples MSc Course Leader Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation
Lecturer (Forensic Science)
e-mail: dsharples2@uclan.ac.uk Ext 4397 Room JBF106
Kev Pritchard MA
Senior Lecturer (Forensic Science)
e-mail: kpritchard@uclan.ac.uk Ext 4379 Room JBF001
Bob Barnes Cert ED. MSc
Associate Lecturer (Policing)
e-mail: rpbarnes@uclan.ac.uk Ext 4151Room MB22
Dave Brian LLB (Hons). LLM Lecturer (Policing)
E-mail : djbrian@uclan.ac.uk Ext 3539 Room MB222
Paul Callaghan MA Lecturer (Forensic Science)
Email: pcallaghan1@uclan.ac.uk Ext 4029 Room JBF105
Sue Carney MSc
Lecturer (Forensic Science)
e-mail: scarney@uclan.ac.uk Ext 3493 Room JBF106
Paul Wheeler
Lecturer (Forensic Science)
e-mail: pwheeler@uclan.ac.uk Ext 4337 Room JBF111
Carol Cox BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD
Dean of School
Professor
E-mail: ccox1@uclan.ac.uk Ext 3757 Room MB052
Peter Cross BSc, MSc
Associate Lecturer (Forensic Anthropology)
email: pacross1@uclan.ac.uk Ext. 4153 Room MB129
Rachel Cunliffe BSc, MSc
Associate Lecturer
e-mail: recunliffe@uclan.ac.uk Ext: 3755 Room MB129
Peter Hall MSc
Lecturer (Forensic Science)
e-mail: phall@uclan.ac.uk Ext 4388 Room JBF106
Arati Iyengar BSc, MSc, PhD (Genetics)
School Disability Officer Lecturer (Forensic Genetics)
e-mail: aiyengar@uclan.ac.uk Ext 3925 Room MB130
Andy Johnson MBA
Course Leader Police and Criminal Investigation
Lecturer (Police and Criminal Investigation)
e-mail: ajohnson2@uclan.ac.uk Ext. 4259 Room MB52
Janine McGuire BSc PhD (Chemistry)
School Programme Coordinator
Senior Lecturer (Forensic Chemistry)
e-mail: jgmcguire@uclan.ac.uk Ext 4385 Room JBF109
Allan Scott DMS
Lecturer (Forensic Science)
e-mail: amscott1@uclan.ac.uk Ext 4394 Room MB063Judith Smith BSc, PhD (Genetics)
Lecturer (Forensic Genetics)
Course Leader Forensic Sciences
e-mail: jasmith@uclan.ac.uk Ext 4257 Room MB130
Cat Tennick PhD
Lecturer (Forensic Science)
e-mail: cjtennick@uclan.ac.uk Ext 4170 Room MB128
Adam Wilcox BSc
Demonstrator
e-mail: awilcox2@uclan.ac.uk Ext 4396 Room JBF111
Claire Williamson PhD
Lecturer (Forensic Science)
e-mail: clwilliamson@uclan.ac.uk Ext 4152 Room MB128
Catherine Tennick BSc, PhD (Forensic Science)
Associate Lecturer (Forensic Science)
e-mail: cjtennick@uclan.ac.uk Ext 4170 Room MB128
Claire Williamson BSc, MSc
Associate Lecturer (Forensic Science)
e-mail: clwilliamson@uclan.ac.uk Ext 4152 Room MB128
Michael Wysocki BA Hons, PhD (Archaeology)
Academic Lead, Forensic Sciences
E-mail: mpwysocki@uclan.ac.uk Ext 4389 Room JBF009
1.3 Academic Advisor
You will be assigned an Academic Advisor who will provide additional academic advice and
support during the year. They will be the first point of call for many of the questions that you
might have during the year. Your Academic Advisor will be able to help you with personal
development, providing insight and direction to enable you to realise your potential.
1.4 Administration details
Campus Admin Services provides academic administration support for students
and staff and are located in the following hubs which open from 8.45am
until 5.15pm
Monday to Thursday and until 4.00pm on Fridays. The hub can provide general assistance
and advice regarding specific processes such as extenuating circumstances, extensions
and appeals.
Foster Building
Forensic and Applied Sciences
Pharmacy and Biomedical
Sciences Psychology
Physical Sciences
telephone: 01772 891990/891991
email: FosterHub@uclan.ac.uk
1.6 Communicati
on
The University expects you to use your UCLan email address and
check regularly for messages from staff. If you send us email
messages from other addresses they risk being filtered out aspotential spam and discarded unread. Staff aim to reply to emails within one working day. Appointments can usually be made to speak to staff personally via email,
although some staff invite you to knock on their door if you are passing their office.
1.7 External Examiner
The University has appointed an External Examiner to your course who helps to ensure
that the standards of your course are comparable to those provided at other higher
education institutions in the UK. The name of this person, their position and home
institution can be found below. If you wish to make contact with your External Examiner,
you should do this through your Course Leader and not directly. You can access the
external examiners report via the Course site on Blackboard.
The School will also send a sample of student coursework to the external examiner(s) for
external moderation purposes, once it has been marked and internally moderated by the
course tutors. The sample will include work awarded the highest and lowest marks and
awarded marks in the middle range.
Mr Martin Holleran
Senior Lecturer in Policing Studies
York St. John University
2. Structure of the course
2.1 Overall structure
How the course is put together
Like most degree courses this course is modular. This means that it is split up into
particular areas of study, which are studied and assessed separately. The degree is
therefore a lot more flexible and you can choose from a number of options: it also
means that there are no ‘final exams’ covering the whole of the three year course. To
achieve an Honours degree, full-time students must pass 18 modules over the three
years of the course: i.e. 6 modules per year.
Most of the modules that you will take are ‘single modules’: that is they count as ‘1 Module’.
You will see modules described by both a title and code number. The module code
consists of 2 letters and four digits e.g. FZ 1041 (FZ = Forensic Science). The first digit is
the level of the module, which for full-time students is also the year of study.
The academic year is divided into 2 semesters. The exact dates of these semesters
vary slightly, but generally semester 1 runs from mid- September to January, semester
2 from January to around the end of May.
There is a foundation entry route available for this course. For more details on this year
of study, please refer to the programme specification detailed in section 8 of this handbook.
How the Course is Managed
At the front of this handbook you will find the names, telephone numbers, emailaddresses and room numbers of key people involved in the running of the Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation course. Do not hesitate to contact them if you are unclear about anything. The BSc (Hons) Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation course has a Course Leader who is responsible for planning and co-ordinating course delivery. The Course Leader is Kev Pritchard, room JBF001 tel 01772 894379, email kpritchard@uclan.ac.uk. You should see the course leader if there is anything going on with you that cannot be handled by a module tutor, academic advisor or retention tutor. Each module you will study has a Module Tutor. The Module Tutor is responsible for the planning, delivery and assessment of the module. In some cases the Course Leader may also be the Module Tutor. You should see the module tutor about any issues to do with their module (coursework, revision, etc.). The Course Leader, Retention Tutor, Module Tutors and other lecturing staff form the Course Team, which meets regularly to review the progress of the Course and take account of your comments - both positive and negative. Adjustments will be made to the delivery of the Course if the Team feel that changes are necessary to make delivery and/or organisation better. At the end of the academic year all modules undergo review. The University operates a quality assurance scheme, which requires the Course Leader to report periodically to the Head of School to keep them in touch with progress. Every year the Course Leader submits a detailed report to the Head of School Your comments are important to the successful running and evolution of the course and its delivery. For this reason you will be asked to meet with your fellow students and elect two Course Representatives from each year. They will meet with the Course Team (called the Staff Student Liaison Committee) once a semester to represent the views of the students. This is one route for your comments to be discussed and fed into the system. We will report how we have dealt with your comments back to the next meeting of the Staff Student Liaison Committee and minutes will be posted on the notice board. We also encourage you to feedback comments to the Course Team on an ad hoc basis. Your feelings and thoughts are valuable and we want to hear them. 2.2 Modules available Each module is a self-contained block of learning with defined aims, learning outcomes and assessment. A standard module is worth 20 credits. It equates to the learning activity expected from one sixth of a full-time undergraduate year. Modules may be developed as half or double modules with credit allocated up to a maximum of 120 credits per module. Year 1 In your first year at University you will study: police structures and powers; the English legal system; sources and types of law; human rights; criminal offences; crime scene science and forensic science. You will also learn and develop study skills in communication and the use of the library and electronic sources of material. You will have a choice to make at the start of the course: whether, as part of the forensic science element of the course you wish to specialise in forensic anthropology or crime scene investigation. The subjects you have chosen to study at ‘A’ Level, or your own career aspirations or interests, may dictate your choice. That decision is important because once you have embarked on one route you will have to stay on it for the rest of the degree.
Unlike some courses, you are not required to choose an additional subject unrelated to your course to study as an elective (free choice) module. In effect, your choice of forensic anthropology or crime scene investigation stands as your elective module. However, there
are a number of personal development teaching sessions and workshops that are available to you outside normal teaching hours and you are encouraged to take advantage of these. Your academic advisor will provide further details of these at the beginning of the course.
Module Title Module Year or Compulsory
Size Semester (COMP) or
Optional (O)
FZ1034 Volume Crime Scene Science 1 Year COMP
FZ1048 Introduction to Policing 1 Year COMP
FZ1044 Study Skills for Criminal 1 Year COMP
Investigation
FZ1050 Introduction to Criminal Investigation 2 Year COMP
And one of the following:
FZ1036 Crime Scene Photography 1 Year O
FZ1054 Anthropology for Forensic 1 Year O
Scientists
Year 2
In the second year you will study: criminal investigation; photography; crime scene
science; criminalistics (forensic science); research methods and forensic practice. These
aspects are all pertinent to the role of investigators engaged in the practice of criminal
investigation. Dependent on the choice you made in your first year of study, you will also
be required to take a further module in either forensic anthropology or crime scene
investigation.
Module Module Semester Compulsory
Size or Year (COMP) or
Optional (O)
FZ2030 Criminalistics 1 Year COMP
FZ2036 Forensic Practice 2 Year COMP
FZ2061 Research Methods 1 Year COMP
And one of the following pairs:
FZ2037 Advanced Crime Scene 1 Year O
Investigation and
FZ2053 Advanced Photography 1 Sem 1 O
FZ2051 Forensic Anthropology 1 Year O
FZ2052 The Science and Management of Death 1 Year O
* Students undertaking Erasmus Exchange
programmes will take the equivalent 10 credit
module:
*FZ2130 Aspects of Criminalistics 0.5 Sem 1 O
*FZ2136 Aspects of Forensic Practice 0.5 Sem 1 O
*FZ2137 Aspects of Advanced Crime 0.5 Sem 1 O
Scene Science*FZ2151 Aspects of Forensic 0.5 Sem 1 O
Anthropology
Year 3
In your final year there are some compulsory modules and some optional modules. All
students study the application of forensic science and modules in their own forensic
science specialisation. Also, you are required to research and produce a double
module dissertation on a subject related to forensic science or criminal investigation.
This gives you the opportunity to undertake independent research on a related subject of
your choice and to produce a significant piece of written work.
Then there are the PCI modules:
• Fraud and Asset Recovery
• Policing Cybercrime
• Major Crime Inquiries
• International Humanitarian and Criminal Law
• Counter Terrorism
You must take one of these modules. If you are unsure which of them are best suited to
your intended career, you should seek advice from your academic advisor.
Module Module Year or Compulsory
Size Semester (COMP) or
Optional (O)
FZ3035 Application of Forensic
1 Year COMP
Science
And one of the following :
FZ3501 Forensic Science 2 Year O
Dissertation
FZ3940 Policing and 2 Year O
Criminal Investigation
Dissertation
And any one of the following :
FZ3041 Major Crime Inquiries 1 Year O
FZ3042 Policing Cybercrime 1 Year O
FZ3046 Fraud & Asset Recovery 1 Year O
FZ3049 International Humanitarian
1 Year O
and Criminal Law
FZ3050 Counter Terrorism 1 Year O
FZ3056 Major Operations 1 Year O
Plus either
Stream One:
FZ3038 Crime Scene Management 2 Year O
Stream Two:
FZ3051 Forensic Taphonomic Traces 1 Sem 1 O
FZ3053 Human Remains Recovery 1 Sem 2 OA brief description of the component modules for each of the three years can be found
in Appendix 8.2. Further information about each of the modules, including reading lists,
will be found in the module booklet that you will receive at the start of each module.
The full list of options indicated may not all be delivered every year, and this may
depend on how many students choose that particular option. When accepting your offer of
a place to study on this course, you are accepting that not all of these options will be running.
At (or before) the start of each year, you will have an opportunity to discuss your course and
preferred options with your tutor. The University will do all it reasonably can to ensure
that you are able to undertake your preferred options.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
If you consider that you may have already achieved some of the learning outcomes of the
course through previous learning, please consult your course leader and gain advice
from the APL Unit to find out whether you can make a claim for accreditation of prior learning
for part of your course.
Part Time Students
Part-time students typically take 4 modules each year. An individual programme will be
worked out for each student to fit in with their needs and the pre-requisite requirements
of any of the modules
2.4 Module Registration Options
Discussions about your progression through the course normally take
place in February each year. It is an opportunity for you to make plans
for your study over the next academic year. The course team will tell
you about the various modules / combinations available and you will
both agree on the most appropriate (and legal) course of study for you.
A progression talk will be held by the Course Leader in February explaining which modules
you should study next year, and what options are available to you.
2.5 Study Time
2.5.1 Weekly timetable
A timetable will be available once you have enrolled on the programme, through the student
portal.
2.5.2 Expected hours of study
20 credits is a standard module size and equals 200 notional learning hours. As a rough
guide The normal amount of work involved in achieving a successful outcome to your
studies is to study for 10 hours per each credit you need to achieve – this includes
attendance at UCLan and time spent in private study.
On average, then, you should be planning to do between 36 and 40 hours per week.
Any lesser commitment is unlikely to produce a good degree. You should bear this
in mind if you intend to undertake part-time employment or pursue other interests outside
the curriculum.
There is no check on this, no-one to test whether you are doing the private study – but itwill become apparent at exam time if you have not!
Attendance Requirements
You are required to attend all timetabled learning activities for each
module. Notification of illness or exceptional requests for leave of
absence must be made to: FosterHubAttendance@uclan.ac.uk or
by telephoning the hub on 01772 891990 or 01772 891991.
Exceptional requests for leave must be made to the Programme
Coordinator or nominee (usually the Course Leader). You should contact the Admin
Hub as above and your request will be forwarded to the appropriate person.
For International Students under the Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Points Based
System (PBS) - you MUST attend your course of study regularly; under PBS, UCLan is
obliged to tell UKVI if you withdraw from a course, defer or suspend your studies, or if
you fail to attend the course regularly.
Unauthorised absence is not acceptable and may attract academic penalties and/or
other penalties. Some practical sessions may involve assessed work, so if you miss
the practical without good reason you will attract a score of 0% in that assessment. In the
event of absence due to illness, a medical certificate must be produced.
If you have not gained the required authorisation for leave of absence, do not respond
to communications from the University and if you are absent for four weeks or more,
you may be deemed to have withdrawn from the course. If this is the case, then the date
of withdrawal will be recorded as the last day of attendance. Your attendance at classes
will be monitored using the Student Attendance Monitoring system (SAM) and you can
check your attendance record through MyUCLan.
Each time you are asked to enter your details on SAM you must remember that the
University has a responsibility to keep information up to date and that you must only
enter your own details on the system. To enter any other names would result in
inaccurate records and be dishonest. Any student who is found to make false entries
can be disciplined under the student guide to regulations.
3. Approaches to teaching and learning
3.1 1 Learning and teaching methods
The course is delivered in a variety of teaching/learning methods. There are formal
lectures followed up by small group tutorials in which the subject of the lecture is
explored in detail. Practical skills are developed through role-plays and practical
sessions. Investigative skills are learned from on-going scenarios based on real
investigations of major crimes.
Most of the course is delivered by university staff but where appropriate experts in their
own field are brought in to speak with authority from their own experience and
expertise.
As with all university education you are responsible for your own learning; the lectures are
merely the starting point and you will have to undertake a substantial amount of study
in order to succeed.
3.2 Study skills
All of the courses within the school have a study skills module to assist with thedevelopment of your academic and employability skills. There are a variety of other
services that support schools and these include
WISER http://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/study/wiser/index.php
Study Skills - ‘Ask Your Librarian’
https://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/support/study/it_library_trainer.php
You can book a one to one session with a subject Librarian via Starfish. These sessions will
help with questions such as “My lecturer says I need a wider variety of sources in my
references, what do I do?"
"I need to find research articles, where do I start?"
"How do I find the Journal of ...?"
"How do I use RefWorks?”
3.3 Learning and Information Services (LIS)
The best place to start when exploring the Library resources available to
you is;
• Your ‘Subject Guide’ can be found in the Library Resources
• Your ‘My Library’ tab in the Student Portal
• Library search
3.4. Electronic Resources
Extensive resources are available to support your studies provided by LIS – library and IT
staff. Take advantage of the free training sessions designed to enable you to gain all the
skills you need for your research and study.
3.5 Personal development planning
While you are at university, you will learn many things. You already expect to learn lots of
facts and techniques to do with criminal investigation, but you will also learn other things
of which you might be unaware. You will learn how to study, how to work with other
people, how to manage your time to meet deadlines, and so on. If you are to be an
employable graduate it is vital that you can list in your CV the skills that employers value.
Employers are looking for skills such as:
• self-organisation
• team work
• good written communication
• good oral communication
• problem solving
To help you, we have introduced a system that aims to:
• help you to identify the skills you should be developing,
• help you to identify the ones you are weak in, and
• to take action to improve those skills.
This approach can broadly be described as Personal Development Planning, and can be
defined as:A structured and supported process undertaken by an individual to reflect upon
their own learning, performance and/or achievement and to plan for their personal,
educational and career development.
The University puts a high priority on your personal development, and so keeping a
record of your achievements is encouraged and will help when you are applying for
jobs. When you ask staff for a reference, they could use this information to help them
provide more rounded detail.
3.6 Preparing for your career
Career Opportunities
Having been successful and gained your degree, perhaps the most important
question is, what jobs can you apply for? As students take core modules from
both the Forensic Science course and the Police and Criminal Investigation
course, they are well placed for careers in both these areas, as well as Crime
Scene Investigation.
Crime Scene Investigation
CSI’s are civilians employed by the police to carry out the examination and investigation
of crime scenes. It can be a very demanding and sometimes stressful, but rewarding
career. Vacancies are usually advertised in texts such as Police Review magazine.
Successful applicants are then sent for training by the National College of Policing at
Harperley Hall, Durham. It is usual for personnel to initially be trained as Volume Crime
Scene Investigators (VCSI’s). This short course enables the VCSI to examine scenes of
volume crime such as crimes involving vehicles. After a period of time working in their
Constabulary the VCSI may be eligible to apply for the post of CSI, where upon they will
be sent for further training by the College.
Forensic Science
Some of the main employers of forensic scientists in the UK include LGC Forensics, Key
Forensics and Cellmark Orchid. They provide a service to the Police, HM Revenue
and Customs and the Crown Prosecution Services. Scotland has an independent Forensic
Science Service and other independent laboratories exist on a smaller scale. In addition many
Police Forces employ their own forensic scientists to carry out analysis “in-house”.
A good Honours degree in science or technology is invariably the minimum requirement
for appointment as a potential court-going officer in any of the laboratories mentioned, and
more frequently postgraduate qualifications are also required.
Graduates should realise that for all of the above options it is usual to initially work alongside
more senior staff and undertake further specialist training when and if their individual progress
warrants it. Competition for posts such as those described is extremely high but this
course is ideally suited to such careers.
Police Personnel
Successful students will also be ideally placed for a career in the police, having studied several
core modules of the Police and Criminal Investigation course. They will also find themselves
to be much more forensically aware than other police personnel, proving a valuable asset
to their Constabulary.
Your University experience is not only about achieving your chosen award, it is also about
developing as a person and realising your potential. We want you to gain the skills andattitudes that will help you to achieve your goals and aspirations.
Your future is important to us, so to make sure that you achieve your full potential whilst at
university and beyond, your course has been designed with employability learning integrated
into it. This is not extra to your degree, but an important part of it which will help you to show
future employers just how valuable your degree is. These “Transferable Skills” take you
on a journey of development that will help you to write your own personal story of your
time at university:
• To begin with, you will explore your identity, your likes and dislikes, the things
that are important to you and what you want to get out of life.
• Later, you will investigate a range of options including jobs and
work experience, postgraduate study and self- employment,
• You will then be ready to learn how to successfully tackle the
recruitment process.
Careers offers a range of support for you including:-
• career and employability advice and guidance appointments
• support to find work placements, internships, voluntary opportunities, part-
time employment and live projects
• workshops, seminars, modules, certificates and events to develop your skillsDaily drop in service available from 09:00-17:00 for CV checks and initial careers
information. For more information come along and visit the team (in Foster building
near the main entrance) or access our careers and employability resources via the Student
Portal
4. Student Support
Information on the support available is at: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/
Perhaps the most important thing that the School of Forensic and Applied Sciences will
give you is support. We will guide you through the subject and instil in you the
critical and enquiring characteristics required of an investigator.
In your course you will be presented with a vast amount of information and knowledge.
Equally important, though, is the manner in which you develop as an individual over that
period, and the skills you acquire which can be used other than in investigative work.
Employers are looking for skills such as:
• self-organisation
• assertiveness
• good communication skills
• team work
• problem solving
Who do I ask for Help/Guidance/Advice?
Any problems you may choose to discuss with a member of staff, academic or otherwise,
will be treated in strict confidence and will not be divulged to anyone without your permission
(including parents). It is highly unlikely that you will have a problem we have not encountered
before.
The important thing is not to sit on a problem and hope it will go away – it will not! As to
whom you should ask, that depends on the nature of the problem:
• Learning/teaching in a module. Each module has a Module Tutor – a member of
staff responsible for that module. The Module Tutor will be your first port of call for
questions about the learning/teaching within the module.
• Which options to take – Electives – structure of your course – progression
(moving from year to year). These are questions for your academic advisor. He or
she will meet with you at the start of the course and will remain your academic advisor
throughout your time throughout the course.
• Welfare, money, housing, health, personal problems. The 'i' is a central Student
Information Centre and your first point of contact. You can obtain information on a
wide range of topics including Council Tax Exemption Certificates, Bank and
Confirmation of Study Letters, Portable Financial Credits, (continuing students only,
Printing and Printer Credit, UCLan Cards, the ‘I’ shop and UCLan Financial Support
Bursary (first year students only). .
• Administrative questions. The Admin Hub (Foster 058). Can help you with your
academic records and other administrative matters.Health and Safety As a student of the University you are responsible for the safety of yourself and for that of others around you. You must understand and follow all the regulations and safety codes necessary for a safe campus environment. Please help to keep it safe by reporting any incidents, accidents or potentially unsafe situations to a member of staff as soon as possible. Safety assessments have been undertaken for each module of your course and you will be advised of all applicable safety codes and any specific safety issues during the induction to your course and modules. You must ensure that you understand and apply all necessary safety codes. These form an essential element of your personal development and contribute to the safety of others. In particular, laboratories are hazardous areas unless all safety regulations are known and implemented. Specific details of the School safety policies are given to you in separate safety documentation. In particular you should note the requirement that laboratory coats and safety glasses should be worn at all times in the laboratory. Safety glasses are not required when the laboratory is used only for data handling exercises. Conduct You will be expected to abide by the Regulations for the Conduct of Students in the University. UCLan expects you to behave in a respectful manner demonstrated by using appropriate language in class, and switching mobile phones / other devices off prior to attending classes. If your behaviour is considered to be unacceptable, any member of staff is able to issue an informal oral warning and the University will support staff by invoking formal procedures where necessary. You can read more about UCLan expectations in the regulations for the Conduct of Students. Students’ Union The Students’ Union is the representative body for all UCLan students. The organisation exists separately from the University and is led by the elected officers of the Student Affairs Committee (SAC) as well as representatives on the Students’ Council. The Students’ Union building is located at the heart of the Preston campus, and is the hub for all student activities. Representation and campaigning for students’ rights is at the core of what we do and is encompassed by our tag line of, Making Life Better for Students. Should you wish to make a change to any aspect of your student experience, whether it be academically related or not, then the Union is where your voice can be heard, actions taken, or campaigns launched. Your Union is also the home to a fantastic range of student-led societies, sports teams and multitudes of volunteering opportunities. You can also receive help in finding part- time work, whilst you study. Not sure where to go? Pop into the Opportunities Centre on the ground floor of the Students’ Union building and someone will point you in the right direction. We hope your time at University is trouble free, but should you come into difficulties around anything from academic appeals, to issues with housing, benefits or debt, then our dedicated staff team in the Advice and Representation Centre are on hand to help. As we are independently run from the university, we can offer truly impartial advice.
More information on all these things, as well as details about all our (not-for-profit)
commercial services, including our student supermarket (Essentials) and student-bar
(Source) can be found at http://www.uclansu.co.uk/.
Where do I get Information?
BlackBoard will be used to provide you with nearly all the information you need. You should
see the BlackBoard space for your course for your timetables, information on progression,
details of exams etc.
In addition ‘Year notice boards’ are located in Maudland Building, on the first floor
outside MB114. These notice boards will give you general information such as any last minute
changes in arrangements, details of exams, details of your retention tutor and will also direct
you to more specific notice boards elsewhere. It is your responsibility to check that board
daily to find out things that affect you.
Every student has an e-mail address at the university and we will disseminate information
via that medium so you must check your inbox on a daily basis.
4.1 Academic Advisors
You will be assigned an Academic advisor who will assist with Academic
related problems. You will find out more about them and their role in induction
week.
They are responsible for providing you with support and advice in relation to your
programme of studies, assistance in accessing other services available to students within
the University, and to offer whatever help and assistance they can to make your time at the
University a satisfying and stimulating experience. Their job is not to have all the answers
but they will be able to direct you to the person or place where they can be found. Your
academic advisor should be supportive, helpful and try to understand (but not necessarily
share) your point of view when you need advice. At times it may be necessary for them
to challenge you over your progress, performance or attendance, but it is not their role
to constantly monitor you in these areas as may have happened at school or college.
You should meet your academic advisor during induction week and time has been
allocated on the induction timetable to enable to you do this. During this meeting you
should make arrangements about the process by which future regular contact will be
maintained. You should meet with your academic advisor regularly. You should have at
least four meetings in Year 1, with at least three of these being ‘one to one’ meetings.
There should be at least three contacts in Year 2, one of which should be ‘one to one’
and two during Year 3.
There will be appointment sheets by staff offices so that you can arrange meetings
either by booking an appointment or emailing them (details of this are at the front of the
booklet). Throughout the year contact with your academic advisor is usually maintained
through e-mail, you should check your UNIVERSITY e-mail account regularly.
Both you and your tutors should keep appropriate records of meetings and this may
form part of your Personal Development Process.
If you need to get advice in an emergency or when your academic advisor is not availablethen you can go and see your retention tutor or course leader, or go to the School Hub
in Foster Building and staff there will endeavor to find a member of staff who can deal with
your enquiry.
4.2 Students with disabilities
If you have a disability that may affect your studies, please either contact the Disability
Advisory Service - disability@uclan.ac.uk - or let one of the course team know as soon as
possible. With your agreement information will be passed on to the Disability Advisory
Service. The University will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your needs
and to provide appropriate support for you to complete your study successfully. Where
necessary, you will be asked for evidence to help identify appropriate adjustments.
Arrangements are made for students who have a disability/learning difficulty for which
valid supporting evidence can be made available. Contact the Disability Adviser for advice
and information, disability@uclan.ac.uk
The School has a named lead for students with disabilities - Arati Iyengar. Arati’s
contact details can be found at the beginning of this book and you can contact her
direct for further advice/support.
4.3 Students’ Union
The Students’ Union offers thousands of volunteering opportunities ranging from
representative to other leadership roles. We also advertise paid work and employ student
staff on a variety of roles. You can find out more information on our website:
http://www.uclansu.co.uk/
5. Assessment
5.1 Assessment Strategy
Please note that all modules will be assessed. You are expected to attempt
all required assessments for each module for which you are registered,
and to do so at the times scheduled unless authorised extensions, special arrangements
for disability, or extenuating circumstances allow you to defer your assessment.
The Course team recognise the main purpose of assessment as:
• the diagnosis of strengths and weaknesses of individual students;
• encouragement to students to be involved in determining their own performance;
• evaluation as to whether or not the student has met the learning outcomes of
the module and programme in order to progress to the next level or achieve an exit
award.
Assessment is continuous and uses both formative and summative methods.
Formative assessment relates to the continuing and systematic appraisal of the degree
of learning. This helps you by providing feedback on the appropriateness of your study
skills in meeting the learning objectives. It also assists the academic staff by providing
information as to the appropriateness of the learning environment in facilitating student
learning. Formative assessment includes assessment strategies that encourage the
student and tutor to build on the student’s strengths and to plan remedial help to correctidentified weaknesses. Formative assessment encourages the development of personal
self-awareness and self-evaluation such that corrective change can be instigated by the
individual.
The nature of formative assessment varies between modules. In some there are short tests
or essays, while in others there is informal feedback via activities such as tutorials or
discussion of experiment results during laboratory sessions.
It is important that we try to match assessment to the learning outcomes of each
module. Sometimes we need to assess how well you have assimilated facts, sometimes
we need to assess your understanding, and at other times your application of the facts.
Often we need to test all of these learning outcomes at once. In addition, we need to
assess skills, such as your ability to communicate your ideas.
The assessment methods and what we are trying to assess by the particular method
are shown below:
Examinations Short answer questions are usually looking for how well you
have learned factual information. Essay questions are looking for
your understanding and critical analysis skills.Presentations Your presentational skills under pressure are being assessed here, as
is the ability to think on your feet using the facts that you have
learned.
Role-plays These sessions are important in providing you with the opportunity to
put skills that you have learned into practice.
You will be placed in a number of situations, with familiar and
unknown individuals, and often video-taped and recorded for later
feedback purposes. Some sessions will be assessed by peer and
staff appraisal.
Essays Non-examination situation essays assess your understanding of
the subject as well as your research, written communication and
critical analysis skills.
Case studies These assess the application of theory to practical situations.
They also assess either your written or oral presentation skills
when communicating your deliberations to the class or marker.
Dissertation This assesses the application of the information that you have
gained and assesses your skills in bringing a large body of work
together in a concise coherent report.
You will find a detailed breakdown of the assessments in the individual module booklets.
Presentation of Written Work
The way in which you present your work will be taken into account when arriving at the
final grade for the assessment. To assist you in this regard, refer to the Student
Guide to Assessment, produced by the School that accompanies this handbook.
5.2 Notification of assignments and examination
arrangements When will the assessments take place?
We will try to spread the assessment load. Nevertheless, it is important that you plan your
work around the assessment timetable. For this reason we will provide you with an
assessment timetable at the beginning of each semester.
Assessment arrangements for students with a disability
Arrangements are made for students who have a disability/learning difficulty for which valid
supporting evidence can be made available. Contact the Disability Adviser for advice
and information: disability@uclan.ac.uk.
Submission of Assessments
Normally all work should be submitted through BlackBoard and Turnitin. Information about
the requirements for individual assessments and their respective deadlines for
submission/examination arrangements will be provided in the assignment brief or in the
module booklet that will be posted on BlackBoard.
All work should be submitted with a completed assessed work cover sheet with the
declaration signed. These assessed work cover sheets can be obtained on the module andcourse pages on BlackBoard. Once the work has a FULLY completed and signed cover sheet attached, it should be submitted through the assignment drop-box on BlackBoard.
Deadlines for Assessments
In the workplace you will be faced with many deadlines. Assessment deadlines will help
you to develop a personal ethos, which will enable you to cope with tight work schedules.
We expect work to be handed in on time.
A deadline is set at a particular time on a particular day and work submitted after this
time without an extension granted by the relevant retention tutor will be penalised.
If you submit work late and unauthorised, a universal penalty will be applied in relation to
your work:
• If you submit work within 5 working days following the published submission
date you will obtain the minimum pass mark for that element of assessment.
• Work submitted later than 5 working days after the published submission date
will be awarded a mark of 0% for that element of assessment.
• Unauthorised late submission at resubmission will automatically be awarded a
mark of 0% for that element of assessment
If you have problems that prevent you meeting a deadline for submission, it is
imperative that you contact the retention tutor before the deadline expires. The
contact details can be found on the relevant noticeboard outside MB114.
This regulation is not intended to be draconian. However, since in most cases work will
be returned to students with specimen answers and feedback, it would delay the
return of coursework to the rest of the group if this regulation were not adhered to.
Rather than disadvantage the majority of students for the sake of the few, this regulation
will be strictly implemented.
Extensions
Assignments must be submitted no later than the date on your assignment brief. If you
anticipate that you will have difficulty in meeting assessment deadlines or you have
missed or are likely to miss in-semester tests you must report this at the earliest
possible opportunity to the relevant module tutor or course leader.
Authorisation of the late submission of work requires written permission. Your School
is authorised to give permission for one extension period of between 1 and 10 working
days where appropriate evidence of good reason has been accepted and where submission
within this timescale would be reasonable taking into account your circumstances
(Academic Regulations).
We aim to let you know if the extension has been granted within 1 working day of the
receipt of the request.
If you are unable to submit work within 10 working days after the submission date due
to verifiable extenuating circumstances, you may submit a case for consideration in
accordance with the University’s Policies and Procedures on Extenuating Circumstances
(Academic Regulations and Assessment Handbook).
Extenuating Circumstances
Some students face significant events in their personal life that occur after their course
has started, which have a greater impact on their students than can be solved by the use
of an extension. If this applies to you, the University is ready to support you both with regardto your course and your personal wellbeing through a process called Extenuating
Circumstances (see Academic Regulations and Assessment Handbook).
Normally extenuating circumstances will relate to a change in your circumstances since
you commenced your course, which have had a significant, adverse effect on your studies.
Everyday occurrences such as colds or known conditions such as hay- fever will not qualify
unless the effects are unusually severe and this is corroborated by a medical note. The
University does not look sympathetically on absences or delays caused by holiday
commitments or by work commitments in the case of full-time students. The normal work
commitments of part-time students would not constitute an extenuating circumstance. A
disability or learning difficulty does not constitute an extenuating circumstance (see
Academic Regulations).
Further information is available on the Student Portal
at:
https://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/study/examinations_and_awards/extenuating_circu
mstances.php
You can apply for extenuating circumstances online via myUCLan. You must apply no later
than 3 days after any examination or assessment submission date. Do not wait until you
receive your assessment results to submit a claim. It is in your own interests to submit the
claim as soon as possible.
You will be expected to re-submit claims for extenuating circumstances for each semester.
All evidence that is provided relating to extenuating circumstances will be treated in a
sensitive and confidential manner. Supporting evidence will not be kept for longer than is
necessary and will be destroyed shortly after the end of the current academic year.
Further information about the submission process is available
at:
https://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/study/examinations_and_awards/extenuating_circu
mstance_submission.php
In determining assessment recommendations, Assessment Boards will consider properly
submitted claims from students who believe their performance has been adversely
affected by extenuating circumstances. N.B. Assessment Boards are not permitted to alter
individual assessment marks to take account of extenuating circumstances (Academic
Regulations and Assessment Handbook)
What if I fail a Module?
If you fail a module the Assessment Board may offer reassessment (of coursework,
examination or both), or may exercise its discretion to compensate the failure of a module
in circumstances such as significant and acceptable extenuating circumstances where
the learning outcomes have still been met. In the latter case you will be allowed to progress
as if you had passed the module. This decision is taken at the discretion of the Board (in
line with the University Regulations) and will depend upon the specific circumstances
surrounding the failure.
However, the dissertation cannot be compensated in this respect and there are strict
limits on the number of modules that can be compensated within each Stage of any
degree programme. A compensated module is still regarded as a fail, but an exit award may
then be made.5.3 Referencing
FSCI students are required to know two referencing systems; Harvard and OSCOLA.
Harvard is the universally accepted method of referencing material in a written piece of
work, e.g.
McCarthy, P. and Hatcher, C. (1996) Speaking persuasively: Making the most of your
presentations, Sydney: Allen and Unwin.
OSCOLA is the standard for the Citation of Legal Authorities. For example; Author,
Title in Italics (series title, edition Publisher, date) page
• D Ormerod, Smith & Hogan: Criminal Law (11th edn OUP, 2005) 123
• Graham Gooch & Michael Williams, Oxford Dictionary of Law Enforcement
(OUP, 2007)
• Tom Cobbley and others, The Road to Widdecombe (Bodley Head, 1962)
5.4 Cheating, plagiarism, collusion or re-presentation
Please refer to the information included in section 6.6 of the University Student Handbook
for full definitions. The University uses an online Assessment Tool called Turnitin. A
pseudo- Turnitin assignment will be set up using the School space on Blackboard to allow
students to check as many drafts as the system allows before their final submission to the
‘official’ Turnitin assignment. Students are required to self-submit their own assignment
on Turnitin and will be given access to the Originality Reports arising from each
submission. In operating Turnitin, Schools must take steps to ensure that the University’s
requirement for all summative assessment to be marked anonymously is not undermined
and therefore Turnitin reports should either be anonymised or considered separately from
marking. Turnitin may also be used to assist with plagiarism detection and collusion,
where there is suspicion about individual piece(s) of work.
You are required to sign a declaration indicating that individual work submitted for an
assessment is your own.
If you attempt to influence the standard of the award you obtain through cheating,
plagiarism or collusion, it will be considered as a serious academic and disciplinary
offence as described within the Academic Regulations and the Assessment Handbook
.
• Cheating is any deliberate attempt to deceive and covers a range of
offences described in the Assessment Handbook.
• Plagiarism describes copying from the works of another person without suitably
attributing the published or unpublished works of others. This means that all
quotes, ideas, opinions, music and images should be acknowledged and
referenced within your assignments.
• Collusion is an attempt to deceive the examiners by disguising the true authorship
of an assignment by copying, or imitating in close detail another student’s work
- this includes with the other student’s consent and also when 2 or more students
divide the elements of an assignment amongst themselves and copy one
another’s answers. It does not include the normal situation in which you learn
from your peers and share ideas, as this generates the knowledge and
understanding necessary for each individual to independently undertake an
assignment; nor should it be confused with group work on an assignment whichYou can also read
