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The Science Behind Forensic Science

Key information

Subject area:

FutureLearn Online Courses


Course type:

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)


Credit level:

Not for credit


Duration:

4 weeks


Available course dates:

From: 01 September 2023 To: 31 August 2024

Course overview

Discover the biology and chemistry behind forensic science

How does forensic science really work? How are scientific principles applied in crime scenes? Answer these questions and more with this course from the team who teach the longest-running forensic science programme of its type in England.

On the course you will get an introduction to the chemistry and biology of forensic science. You will examine the methods used in forensic science and learn about how these technique are used in crime scenes and explained in the court room.

What does this course cover?

  • Introduction to Forensic Science and The Crime Scene
  • Forensic Biology
  • Forensic Chemistry
  • Evidence in the Court

What will I achieve?

  • Demonstrate an understanding of how a crime scene is evaluated and some of the analytical techniques required for an analysis of the evidence.
  • Apply the chemistry knowledge acquired to approach the learning and understanding of more sophisticated techniques used in forensic science
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the genome that enables them to comprehend forensic DNA analysis
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of strengths and limitations of an adversarial judicial system in giving forensic evidence

Who will I learn with?

David Ballard

David Ballard

Senior Lecturer in Forensic Genomics

Denise Syndercombe Court

Denise Syndercombe Court

Professor of Forensic Genetics

Who is this for?

This course is for anyone interested in discovering more about forensic science. It will be especially useful if you’re thinking of studying forensic science in the future or if you work in a field related to forensic science (for example law or the police force) and want to find out more.

What is the teaching schedule?

This course runs multiple times each year. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Please click the Apply button to find out when the next run will start.