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Forensic Science
|MSc/MRes
|Full Time
| Admissions status: OpenSTRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
Please see the modules list.
Indicative non-core content
- Principles of Forensic Science
- Forensic Process
- Drugs & Toxicology
- Forensic Biology
- Research Project 14 week or
- Research Project 28 week
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
Lectures; workshops and practical classes; each module assessed by examination, MCQ assessment and a piece of coursework; project assessed by literature review, journal article, poster presentation and mini-viva. extended project assessed by literature review, poster presentation and seminar.MODULES
More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
Module code: 7BBFM127
Credit level: 7
Topic covered include:
Credit level: 7
Topic covered include:
- Forensic toxicology, pharmacokinetics, metabolism
- Forensic spectroscopy
- Drink driving/drug driving
- Drugs in sport
- Identification, analysis and characterisation of drugs of abuse.
Module code: 7BBFM128
Credit level: 7
Applications of the science:
Credit level: 7
Applications of the science:
- DNA profiling from crime scene samples
- The Y –chromosome, haplotypes and haplogroups
- The mitochondria , their genomes and usefulness to forensic science
- Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms; ancestry and phenotypic markers
- Paternity testing.
- The estimation of the post mortem interval using forensic entomology
- Forensic archaeology
- A review of future technologies.
Module code: 7BBFM126
Credit level: 7
The chain of events involved from the time a crime has been committed to the presentation of evidence in court:
Credit level: 7
The chain of events involved from the time a crime has been committed to the presentation of evidence in court:
- Examination of the crime scene and collection of evidence
- The personnel involved at each stage of the process and their roles
- Specialists at the crime scene - marks and traces, blood pattern analysis, glass shatter analysis etc.
- The statistical interpretation of data
- The role of the expert witness
- The importance of quality assurance and chain of custody
Module code: 7BBFM129
Credit level: 7
Placements are carried out in the following types of organisation/laboratory: forensic science, forensic toxicology, university research, paternity testing. Other institutions include Police scientific support units and training colleges. Most projects are carried out in the UK but there are opportunities for students to travel to laboratories in the EU, or further afield. The 16 week placement runs from May to late August.
Credit level: 7
Placements are carried out in the following types of organisation/laboratory: forensic science, forensic toxicology, university research, paternity testing. Other institutions include Police scientific support units and training colleges. Most projects are carried out in the UK but there are opportunities for students to travel to laboratories in the EU, or further afield. The 16 week placement runs from May to late August.
Module code: 7BBFM125
Credit level: 7
Analytical chemistry (including the major chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques used in forensic science), an understanding of the principles and the instrumentation with examples taken from the disciplines of pharmaceutical and forensic science
Molecular genetics, with an emphasis on population genetics and variation and how it relates to forensic science. Practical classes on DNA handling and forensic DNA profiling.
Credit level: 7
Analytical chemistry (including the major chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques used in forensic science), an understanding of the principles and the instrumentation with examples taken from the disciplines of pharmaceutical and forensic science
Molecular genetics, with an emphasis on population genetics and variation and how it relates to forensic science. Practical classes on DNA handling and forensic DNA profiling.
Teaching staff: Co-ordinators:
Dr Leon Barron
Dr Barbara Daniel
Module code: 7BBFM130
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 120
Assessment: coursework; oral examination/s; presentation/s;
Dr Leon Barron
Dr Barbara Daniel
Module code: 7BBFM130
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 120
Assessment: coursework; oral examination/s; presentation/s;
Literature Review due 4 weeks after start
Experimental Plan due 4 weeks after start
Poster Presentation (via video-link if abroad) at 14 weeks
Journal Article submitted at 28 weeks after start
Seminar Presentation
Students contemplating a career in research may be interested in taking up an extended project of 28 weeks. Forensic Science placement laboratories (30 contributing laboratories world-wide) submit research proposals for consideration by the department. Selection of placement and student will in consultaion with your personal tutor.
Projects will start mid May and continue until December making the degree fifteen months in total.
KEY FACTS
Programme leader/s
Dr Barbara Daniel
Accreditation
Forensic Science Society Accredited course
Awarding institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 180/ECTS 90 UK 240/ECTS 180
Duration
MSc, one year FT, September to September. MRes, 15 months, September to February.
Location
Waterloo Campus for the first two terms, the third term usually outside the College.
Student destinations
Most of our students go on to work in the forensic science sector with LGC Forensics and Orchid-Cellmark being the major employers. Others have taken employment with the Metropolitan Police or crime scene departments of other police forces. Many of our Canadian graduates now work for the RCMP or the Toronto Centre for Forensic Sciences. Some of our students go on to do a PhD either at King's College London or other universities across the country.
Year of entry 2012
Offered by