Forensic Investigation
‘the use of science in the
investigation of crime by the
police and by the courts as
evidence in resolving an issue
on any subsequent trial’
Forensic Investigation

Following a crash a car driver claims that
the large quantity of pills found in the
boot of his car are vitamin tablets….but
are they?

A camper van is on fire at the side of a
road; is it arson?

What’s the powder in the bag? Drugs?
Forensic Investigation

Were the bullets found at the scene of
a crime fired by the gun found in the
attic of a suspects house?

Do the fibres found at the scene of a
crime match those from a suspect?

Is the accused the rapist?
Has a crime been committed?
In most cases there is no doubt… (eye–witness?)
…but in a number of occasions only a scientific
examination of the items can confirm this.
Analytical techniques used…

Chromatography
 High
Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
 Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS)
2.50
uV(x10,000)
2.25
2.00
1.75
1.50
1.25
1.00
0.75
0.50
0.25
0.00
-0.25
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
11.0
min
Spectroscopic Techniques used..

Atomic Absorption (AA)

Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR)

UV/vis

Fluorescence
DNA Analysis
Microscopy



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Light Microscopy
Comparison Microscope
Confocal Microscopy
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
Forensic Laboratories
June 2009
September 2009
What’s in the programme?

24 modules over 4 years


Chemistry

Biology
15 or 17
3 or 5


Law
2

Maths/Stats
1


Physics
1

The Chemical Sciences with
key Biological Sciences are
studied in depth & form the
core of the programme
Options give students the
choice of an Environmental
Forensics or Forensic Biology
strand
Hands-on approach
Graduates eligible/recognised
for RSC membership
Programme Structure
BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation
Environmental & Forensic Biology Options
Level
Semester A
1 Chemistry (0.5) *Introduction to
Maths & Stats
Forensic
(0.5)
Investigation Professional
Orientation and
Practice
Semester B
Business Law 1
Human Biology
Chemistry (0.5)
Maths & Stats
(0.5)
Civil and
Criminal
Procedure
Chemical
Analysis
Organic
Chemistry 1
Forensic
lnorganic
Chemistry
The Gene
3 Instrumental
Analytical
Chemistry
Organic
Chemistry 2
Options: see
below
Forensic
Analysis
Chemical Data
Analysis and
Management
Major Incidents
and Engineering
Failures
4
Project
Forensic
Microscopy
Advanced
Techniques in
Forensic Analysis
Project
Options: see
below
Advanced Forensic
Biology
Forensic
Biology
Environmental
Forensics
3A
Essential
Molecular
Biology
Environmental
Chemistry
4B
Toxicology
Environmental
Forensic
Analysis
2
Options
Level
Physical
Chemistry
* Includes
psychology
contribution
Physics
Career Opportunities

Forensic Area in Criminal Cases

The Police Service

Environmental Protection

Food and Drinks companies

Pharmaceuticals

Oil and Gas Industry

Health Services
Also
Areas which are not degree specific,



e.g. Management
Teaching
Career Opportunities

Forensic Area


Law Enforcement & Protection


Forensic Science, Forensic Accident Investigation; Fire
Investigation.
Police Service; Criminal Justice System; Security Companies;
Customs and Excise; Prison Service; Immigration Service;
Armed Forces
Environmental Forensic Areas

Environmental Regulatory Compliance; Waste treatment;
Recycling; Pollution Monitoring and Prevention; Environmental
Protection Officer.
Career Opportunities continued..

Public Areas & Consumer Protection


Chemical Analysis



Loss Adjusting; Claims Investigation; Accident Investigation
Patent Area


Posts in manufacturing industry; the pharmaceutical sector; food
and drinks industries; environmental protection; oil and gas
sector
Quality Assurance
Insurance


Environmental Health Officer; Health & Safety Inspector; Safety
Officer; Public Health Laboratory Scientist
Patent Examiner; Intellectual Property Policy Directorate etc.
Not degree specific areas:- Management, teaching
Some examples of where our
graduates work….

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Strathclyde Police Forensic Services
SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency)
Public Analyst
Quintiles (Pharmaceutical company)
GlaxoSmithKline
Corus
Diageo
Teacher training
Further education – MSc & PhD
Study Abroad

Opportunity to complete part of your studies at
one of our partner institutions in:

Europe
 Canada

USA.
the use of science in the investigation of crime
Speak to us about the varied career opportunities in this area