University of Bradford
Department of Archaeological Sciences
Awarding and teaching institution:
Final award:
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UCAS Code:
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University of Bradford
Master of Science / Postgraduate Diploma /
Postgraduate Certificate
Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene
Investigation
One year (full-time); two years (part-time)
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
2003; last updated: September 2007
Aims
Archaeology engages the entire human past in all its temporal and spatial dimensions. It is
fundamental to our understanding of how we evolved and our communities developed, and
how we study, preserve and interpret our past. At Bradford, our distinctive approach
emphasises the integration of the natural and physical sciences in this enquiry. In
accordance with the University’s mission, ‘Making knowledge work’, the Department of
Archaeological Sciences aims to provide ‘excellence in a comprehensive range of
archaeological topics, with emphasis on both teaching (‘Excellent’ in Subject Review 2000)
and research (Grade 5 in Research Assessment Exercise 2001), believing the two activities
to be mutually dependent’.
This course will provide:
 Graduates in archaeology, anthropology, biosciences and related subjects with
advanced practical, analytical and interpretative skills in forensic archaeology.
 A flexible programme of study that reflects areas of staff expertise.
 A supportive, structured learning environment in which students are encouraged to
develop independent learning skills.
 A means to develop high-level subject knowledge and understanding, and provide
training in discipline skills to enable graduates to pursue further research or careers
in Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Investigation.
 A means to develop critical and analytical problem solving skills and personal
transferable skills to prepare students for careers in non-cognate fields.
Special features:
 The course has a diverse modular structure allowing both field and laboratory
orientated pathways.
 Hands-on experience including field based crime scene scenarios
 Substantial individual research dissertation
 Appropriate for students with either humanities or science based academic
background.
 The Course is underpinned by modules on Crime Scene Management and English
Criminal Law.
Learning outcomes on completion of the course cover subject knowledge and
understanding, cognitive skills, discipline-related practical and professional skills and other
general skills and capabilities specified in the learning outcomes for approved modules in the
programme. In particular, this includes
 Advanced knowledge and understanding in application of archaeological
principles to Crime Scene Investigation ; an understanding of multi-disciplinary
approaches to the search, excavation and evidential recovery from a range of crime
scene environments, with mastery of a selected range of methods and techniques
within Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Investigation.
Effective for the academic year 2007-2008

Subject specific practical/professional skills Acquisition of advance skills in
application of forensic archaeology to the UK legal system; expert witness
procedures. Application and evaluation of a range of field techniques to the search
and the recovery of a range forensic evidence including arms dumps, clandestine
burials and scattered remains. Acquisition of advanced skills in the study of criminal
law, crime management, forensic taphonomy, survey and geophysical survey
according to module selection. Written oral presentations of evidence within a UK
legal framework. Acquisition of practical laboratory and field skills. Design and
completion of a substantial work of independent study.
 General/transferable skills: Written and oral communication, group working,
independent learning and research, time management, confident use of information
technology, to critically review, synthesise and carry forward professional research in
a wide range of disciplines and assess their applicability to specific simulated cases.
Manage own learning. The ability to apply knowledge to problem solve, make
recommendations in a manner that will withstand legal scrutiny.
Among the distinctive features of the course are extensive practical simulated exercises
and training by Police Scientific Support and Scene of Crime Officers.
Curriculum
The programme is offered full-time (1 year) and part-time (by arrangement). It comprises a
core of compulsory modules to provide the appropriate framework and a range of option
choices to develop specialist skills. Most modules are at M Level, while some choices up to
20 credits are also available from modules offered at Level 3.
The curriculum may change subject to the University’s course approval, monitoring and
review procedures. The External Examiner for the Course is currently from University
College London. There is also an External Advisory Board comprising members of the public
and private sector, which meets biannually to advise on departmental strategy and
curriculum.
Details about modules, including specific learning outcomes, are available from the module
descriptors. The Masters qualification comprises 180 credits; 60 credits per semester and 60
credits of dissertation. 10 credits is equivalent to 100 student learning hours.
Awards and progression
(This is a summary only; the full regulations are maintained on the Web at
http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/QA_Hbk/Postgrad_Taught_Regs.html.)
To be eligible for the award of the Degree of Master, students must achieve at least 40.0% in
individual modules amounting to 160 Credits and at least 35.0% in individual modules
amounting to the other 20 Credits. Students, who attain an overall weighted average of at
least 70.0% at the initial attempt, including at least 70.0% at the initial attempt in the
dissertation, shall be eligible for the award of the Degree of Master with Distinction; those,
who attain an overall weighted average of at least 60.0% at the initial attempt, including at
least 60.0% at the initial attempt in the dissertation, shall be eligible for the award of the
Degree of Master with Merit.
Details of eligibility criteria for the Postgraduate Certificate and the Postgraduate Diploma are
to be found at the above named Web site.
Admission requirements
A first degree in a relevant discipline, normally with an upper second-class degree, or
equivalent is required for UK students. Other relevant qualifications and past experience will
also be considered for admission to the course. Admission will be judged on an individual
basis for overseas students, at an equivalent level to UK entry requirements. For North
American students, normally a GPA of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 is required, or an
equivalent. Admissions are made on the basis of demonstrated ability, qualifications,
experience, references, and, occasionally, interviews. A completed application form,
references, official transcripts, or a list of courses/modules and grades/marks stamped by the
applicant’s department or student registry are required of all applicants.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies
Effective for the academic year 2007-2008
The taught components of the course emphasises a hands-on approach to field exercises
and laboratory sessions. Most modules are taught specifically to Master’s students, with
additional sessions and assessments from components shared with the undergraduate
curriculum (Level 3). The course addresses thematic and theoretical aspects through
lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Skills and knowledge are developed through essays,
seminar presentations, practical and written examinations, reports, and a dissertation.
Passage through the course is intended to develop critical, research and problem solving
skills. The four compulsory modules in Semester 1 (Introduction to Forensic Archaeology:
Crime Scene Management, Courtroom and expert witness skills: English Legal Framework 1:
English Criminal Law) are designed to provide the essential framework on which later
modules build. Semester 2 provides the compulsory main thematic module (Forensic
Archaeology and Crime Scene Investigation) worth 20 credits. The dissertation offers the
opportunity to produce a substantial piece of independent research, which often contains
elements of publishable quality
Course Structure
Module title
Introduction to Forensic Archaeology
Crime Scene Management
English Legal System and Criminal
Law for non-lawyers
Law of Evidence for non-lawyers
Nature of Matter
Maths and Quantitative Methods
Soils and Chemical Prospection
Principles and Methods of Survey
Forensic Anthropology
Forensic Archaeology and Crime
Scene Invest.
Research Skills
Degradation of Materials in Burial
Environments
Taphonomy and Chemistry of Human
Remains
Archaeological Geophysics
Dissertation
* Subject to progression
Module
code
Level
Status
Credits
Sem
AR8103M
AR7132M
MAN4961M
M
M
M
C
C
C
10
10
10
1
1
1
MAN4962M
AR7012M
AR7001M
AR70014M
AR7133M
CT6008M
AR7134D
M
M
M
M
M
3
M
C
O
O
O
O
O
C
10
10
10
10
10
10
20
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
AR8119D
AR8127M
M
M
C**
O
20
10
2
2
AR8118M
M
O
10
2
AR8104D
AR9000Z
M
M
O
20
C*
60
C = Compulsory
O = Optional
**This module is optional for students studying for the award of Postgraduate Diploma
2
Student support and guidance
The nature of teaching, learning and research provision of at Master’s level creates an
intense working atmosphere, where academic support is largely provided by the course
manager, but also by the Chair of Postgraduate Committee/Director of Postgraduate Studies.
In addition, each student will be allocated a personal tutor. There is also study support
through university and departmental handbooks and by module study guides. The support
offered by the Department is enhanced by university infrastructure, such as Library and IT
facilities or the Disabilities Office, Counselling Service, Student Health Centre and Career
Development Service.
Further information
Further information can be found in the Postgraduate Prospectus. More details about the
Department and its courses can be obtained from the Postgraduate Secretary (Department
of Archaeological Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1DP, UK;
Tel +44-(0)1274-235534, Fax +-(0)1274-235190, Email:j.m.hammond@bradford.ac.uk.
Effective for the academic year 2007-2008