Forensic Science QLS Level 3

Forensic scientists do not only use scientific methods and processes to assist with investigations. They must have strong understanding of criminology to help them interpret and validate scientific findings. Covering scientific, psychological, criminological and social aspects of crime, this course equips you with a broad foundation of forensic knowledge, making an ideal first step for those considering a career in forensics. This course will allow you to study the convenient way! You decide when and where you learn, at your own pace. Your coursework can be submitted by either post or email, making it easy and hassle-free. All your course materials will then be delivered to you by post or email, so it couldn’t be easier. Our experienced and friendly tutors are there to help you every step of the way by email, so help is only a click away!

Course Content

Unit 1 Human remains: the scientific approach to a crime scene

• Locard’s exchange principle within the context of Elizabeth’s crime scene
• Importance of protecting the crime scene
• Tracing evidence to establish cause and time of death
• Approaches that could be used in establishing time of death

Unit 2 Psychological approach to a crime scene

• Psychological theories to gain offender characteristics from a crime scene
• Profiling approaches, including routine activity theory, statistics
• Evaluating theories
• Applying theories to cases: kidnap, murder, arson or sniper

Unit 3 Victimology: the silent witness

• Defining victimology
• Victimology’s contribution to crime scene analysis from a forensic victimologist perspective
• Theories of victimology
• Victim precipitation
• Routine activity theory
• Stockholm syndrome
• Munchausen syndrome by proxy
• Creating a hypothetical profile

Unit 4 The language of the psychopath: identifying; interviewing and interrogating suspects

• Characteristics of the psychopath
• Highlighting characteristics using Hare’s PCL-R
• Gender differences in characteristics and criminal behaviour
• Difficulty in interrogating and obtaining a confession from an identified psychopath

Unit 5 Treatment of psychopathic disorders in prison

• Outlining prisoners’ rights to mental healthcare
• Mental Health Act 1983 and the changes in 2007
• The directive from the Department of Health, 2014
• Biological treatments for prisoners diagnosed with mental health issues
• Psychological treatments for prisoners diagnosed with mental health issues
• Treating criminals with severe mental disorders effectively

Unit 6 The science of killing: the debate on capital punishment

• Difference between the retributional and reformative approach to punishment
• Theories
• Statistical evidence
• Moral and ethical issues of bringing back capital punishment in the UK