About the course

Our Forensic and Criminal Investigation course is a great choice for anyone who has a love of science, and is interested in its application to criminal investigations. We cover a number of topics, situations and case studies in this course, which will allow students to fully appreciate the complexities of the criminal investigation sector. You will develop skills across a wide range of scientific techniques in the lab, covering the more well known analytical techniques as well as crime scene processing and fingerprinting. We will undertake a number of simulated crime scene scenarios across both years, covering a range of different crime types, such as murders, suicides, drug related incidents and traffic collisions as well as looking at criminal investigations from a policing and law perspective and procedures in court. Students also develop a range of transferable skills by taking part in mock criminal interviews, and giving evidence in a moot court.

Start Date/s

01/09/2025

Entry Requirements

Five GCSEs at Grade 5 or above or a relevant Level 2 qualification, this must include Maths, English and at least one science at grade 5.

Modules

In their first year, students will cover units in Principles & Applications of Science, Practical Scientific Procedures & Techniques, Science Investigation Skills, Forensic Investigation Procedures in Practice, Physiology of the Human Body, Forensic Photography and Environmental Forensics. In their second year, students will cover units in Criminal Investigation Procedures, Criminology, Psychology, Forensic Fire Investigation, Forensic Traffic Investigation, Anthropology and Archaeology. Assessment across the course is a mixture of external examination and internally completed assignment work.

Assessment

The following units are externally assessed Principles and Applications of Science I, Science Investigation skills, Applications of Criminology and Applications of Criminal and Forensic Psychology. Other units will be internally assessed using a range of assessment methods including practical work, coursework, presentations and research tasks.

Careers & Progression

On successful completion of this course, you may decide to progress onto a variety of Degree courses; to a Higher or Degree Apprenticeship or directly into a career. Careers that this course may ultimately lead to include: Forensic Science, Crime Scene Investigation, Law, Criminal Investigation, Policing, Psychology, Criminology and Analytical Chemistry.

Additional Details