In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ is offering 5 scholarships of £10,000 to students in Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Kenya and India applying for postgraduate courses on selected Full time MSc courses.
Overview
- Start dateLaunching October 2023
- DurationMSc: 11 months full-time, up to three years part-time; PgDip: up to 11 months full-time, up to two years part-time
- DeliveryBy written and practical examinations, continuous assessment, project presentation and oral exam
- QualificationMSc, PgDip
- Study typeFull-time / Part-time
- CampusCranfield campus
Who is it for?
The MSc in Forensic Biology will appeal to those with an interest in pursuing a career as a forensic practitioner. In particular, with specific interests within the field of biology. Since the course will have particular focus on detection and evaluation of biological evidence types, such as DNA, blood and other body fluids.
This MSc will appeal to students with an interest in a career in a forensic laboratory, that have a science or forensic science first degree.
This course offers a focus on the interpretational and critical thinking skills that are required to evaluate forensic evidence as a forensic practitioner.
This course is exclusively at Cranfield campus, and so no additional security clearance is required to attend campus. In addition, students will be able to use the brand-new facilities and equipment which form part of a significant investment in Cranfield Forensic Institute, at Cranfield Campus.
Students come from wide-ranging backgrounds and from abroad, especially Europe, Africa and North America.
Informed by Industry
The course is devised and taught by professionals with forensic casework experience. It is is also endorsed by industry experts from varying disciplines of laboratory and crime scene backgrounds and will provide the essential skills to demonstrate a good CV for graduate employment within the forensic sector.
Course details
This course will be solely Cranfield campus based.
The course will be delivered face-to-face through lectures, group sessions, seminars as well as a large portion of practical work, both in the form of analytical analysis within a laboratory environment and within the crime scene facilities.
You will do 8 core modules and then you get to choose from a further 13 elective modules to suit your interest in other themes of forensics.
Following the taught phase, you will spend the remaining time until the end of August completing an individual dissertation project in a forensic topic of your choice. This may be a practical based thesis or other.
You will also get to enhance your oral and presentation skills in Courtroom Skills module as well as in other modules, where you will get the opportunity to contribute to discussions in seminars.
Every student will also be further supported by being assigned a personal tutor at the start of the course. Personal tutors provide support for students outside of the immediate teaching staff on the MSc.
Course delivery
By written and practical examinations, continuous assessment, project presentation and oral exam
Individual project
The individual project takes four months from April to August and will take place after the modular section of the course is complete.
You can select from a range of titles, or may propose your own topic. Most are practically or experimentally based using Cranfield’s unique facilities.
Modules
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.
Course modules
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course.
Introductory Studies
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The emphasis in Introductory Studies is on fundamentals and subjects are covered at first-degree level. Topics include: |
Intended learning outcomes |
Introductory Studies is designed to enable students to revise, consolidate and expand their skill and knowledge base so that they can derive maximum benefit from the course. On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Investigation and Evidence Collection
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Reasoning for Forensic Science
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To provide an understanding and experience of the disciplines underpinning critical evaluation of quantitative information applied within the Forensic Sciences. |
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The syllabus will follow the general course of a generic investigative process from the appropriate framing of a question to the critical interpretation of data and information. The appropriate use of data in well-constructed arguments will be considered in order to distinguish between fact, opinion and speculation. Intellectual rigour will be challenged, and the ability to identify weakness in argument will be developed. Data will be examined for reliability and reproducibility with a focus on the distinct features of forensically related data. Appropriate use of descriptive and hypothesis testing statistics will be practiced and the ‘prosecutor’s fallacy’ explored. Bayes’ Theorem will be considered and rehearsed through case studies. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Analytical Techniques
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To provide an understanding of the principles and practical applications of the major analytical techniques used in materials based investigations.
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Courtroom Skills
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The module will provide an understanding of the role and responsibilities of expert witnesses in domestic and international criminal and civil cases and how they can present their evidence to the court effectively. You will also apply knowledge gained in previous modules to strengthen arguments presented in expert witness reports. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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DNA
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Body Fluids
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Thesis Research Project
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Elective modules
One of the modules from the following list needs to be taken as part of this course.
Trace Evidence
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Forensic Archaeology: Mass Grave Excavation
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The module will introduce the principles of mass grave investigations; from finding and assessing sites, setting up and carrying out mass grave excavations to analysing and interpreting graves, victims and associated evidence. |
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Day 1: Classroom based teaching Day 2: Site assessment and setup Day 3-6: Site excavation Day 7: Site closure and exercise debrief
The seven days include: |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Fundamentals of Forensic Anthropology: Osteology
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To provide a broad introduction to the subject, focusing on the role of the forensic anthropologist, human skeletal anatomy and the basic biological profile from human skeletal remains. |
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Day 1: Introduction to human skeletal anatomy, biomechanics, and forensic anthropology. Day 2: Bone and tooth identification and taphonomy. Day 3: Human vs non-human bone. Day 4: Biological profile estimation (age-at-death, sex, stature, ancestry). Day 5: Analysis of a human skeleton. |
Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Practical Archaeological Excavation
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To provide you with an understanding of the manner in which traditional archaeology uses field techniques to address practical research questions.
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Mass Fatality Incidents
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This course provides an introduction to mass fatality incidents (MFI); their definition, categorisation, mitigation and management. It has a strong focus on disaster victim identification (DVI) but also covers more general effects, challenges, lessons learnt, management developments and, the return to normality following an MFI. In particular, the course considers the roles and responsibilities of the personnel involved in the DVI process, practical application of Interpol guidelines and DVI forms, planning and evaluation of temporary mortuary facilities and, DVI humanitarian assistance aspects of mass fatality incident response. The course may be of interest to a wide range of professionals including; emergency planners, emergency response personnel (police, fire and ambulance), family liaison officers, accident investigators, NGO workers, forensic scientists, medical doctors, lawyers, and those involved in the investigation of missing persons. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Forensic Ecology
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The module will provide an understanding of the contribution of environmental evidence in a forensic investigation and how analytical sciences can help the investigation of crimes against the environment. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
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Radiographic Investigations in Forensic Science
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To provide an understanding of the principles and practical applications of radiographic imaging techniques used in forensic science. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
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Trauma Weapon Effects
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Understand the nature of different weapon types used in criminal activity. Evaluate the construction of improvised weapons and their wounding potential in real life scenarios. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Fundamentals of Fire Investigation
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Understand the nature of fire, its basic principles, and the application of fire investigation in the criminal and civil judicial process. Appreciate the application of fire investigation skills in real world applications and investigations. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Digital Scene Forensics
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This module considers the development and growing importance of digital evidence encountered on the crime scene. It looks in detail at a breadth of digital evidence hosts, including carried and worn devices, ‘the internet of things’ in the home and workspace, mobile location devices and digital CCTV. It considers how such things have altered the balance between novel and traditional forensic examination strategies. The series of workshops grouped under Operation Yellow Caiman give participants the opportunity to engage directly with a range of these technologies and understand first hand the nature of the data derived from them. |
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Temporary Mortuary Operations
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Forensic Imaging
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Intended learning outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
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Teaching team
The Course Director is Laura Hugh. The teaching team includes:
Your career
The MSc in Forensic Biology offers the skills essential for those who are interested in a career as a practitioner within a forensic laboratory, with focus on the biological aspects of forensic casework.
You can also use your gained skills to progress into careers within other field of the criminal justice system such as working as scene of crime officers or other careers in a laboratory environment.
Cranfield Careers and Employability Service
Cranfield’s Career Service is dedicated to helping you meet your career aspirations. You will have access to career coaching and advice, CV development, interview practice, access to hundreds of available jobs via our Symplicity platform and opportunities to meet recruiting employers at our careers fairs. Our strong reputation and links with potential employers provide you with outstanding opportunities to secure interesting jobs and develop successful careers. Support continues after graduation and as a Cranfield alumnus, you have free life-long access to a range of career resources to help you continue your education and enhance your career.
How to apply
Click on the ‘Apply now’ button below to start your online application.
See our Application guide for information on our application process and entry requirements.