Introduction to Forensic Science - Endorsed Certificate Course (TQUK)

Introduction to Forensic Science Online Course.100 Hours Endorsed Certificate Course (TQUK - Training Qualifications UK).

Learn about forensic science and its application to crime. This course covers: forensic science, handling of evidence, criminology, criminal psychology and forensic science ethics.

Therefore it is ideal for anyone interested in pursuing a career in:

• Forensic Pathology
• Forensic Science or as a Scene of Crime Officer (Soco)
• Law Enforcement
• Crime Fiction Writing

TV programmes like CSI and Silent Witness inspire many young people to seek a career in Forensic Science. If obtaining a degree leading to doing a Masters in Forensic Science is your goal, you should consider taking A levels in Chemistry, Biology plus Mathematics, and gain a degree (2:1 or above) in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Molecular Biology. You will also need to have excellent communication skills, plus an inquiring and methodical mind. So how can completing our Introduction to Forensic Science help you? Quite simply, it will help you decide whether forensic science is the career for you. If you could make an in-depth study of what a career in forensics entails before making a decision you might regret later, wouldn’t you want to take the opportunity to do so? After all, gaining a Masters Degree in Forensic Science is both a time consuming and costly affair. Completing this excellently conceived introduction to the principles of forensic science, makes it possible for you to test the water”, before committing 4 years of your life to a PHD course. You can begin this course at any time and because it is self-paced, fit it in around your other studies without any pressure to finish it within a set time.

Benefits of an ADL Endorsed Course?

Endorsed courses are skills based. They have been evaluated and approved by an independent awarding body such as Training Qualifications UK (TQUK).

What makes ADL’s Endorsed courses different?

• Flexible Self-Paced Learning– adjust your learning around your home and work commitments
• Start and Finish at any time
• Courses globally and industry relevant
• Practical Component at the end of most lessons.

Allocated your own tutor relevant to your subject. You can have as little or as much contact as you like with your tutor. They are there to support you all the way through.

This course is endorsed by TQUK -Training Qualifications UK, an OFQUAL awarding body.

Lesson Structure: Introduction to Forensic Science BSC114

There are 10 lessons to complete: 1 Nature of Forensic Science

• Introduction
• What is Forensic Science?
• Laboratory Sciences
• Field sciences
• Digital services
• Forensic medicine
• Origins and Principles of Forensic Science
• Toxicology
• Anthropology
• Fingerprinting
• Bloodstains
• Ballistics
• Documents
• Criminalistics
• DNA Profiling
• Underlying Principles
• Expert Witness

2 Forensic Science and Law

• Introduction
• Scientific Principles
• Validity
• Feature Comparison Methods
• Problems with Validity
• Application of Forensic Science to Law
• Use of Evidence
• Relationship With Law
• Ways of categorising crimes
• What is Evidence: Direct evidence, Circumstantial evidence
• Introduction to Types of Physical and Biological Evidence

3 Evidence Collection

• Introduction
• Chain of Custody
• Crime Scene Investigations
• First Respondents
• Initial Assessment of the Scene
• Processing the Scene
• Collection of Samples
• Completion of Crime Scene Investigation

4 Analysis of Evidence

• Introduction
• The Purpose of Analysis
• Principles Underlying Analysis
• Statistical Analysis
• Human/User Error
• Correlation vs Causation
• Univariate Analysis
• Types of Evidence
• Laboratory Analysis
• Fingerprints
• DNA
• Blood
• Drugs & Toxicology
• Use of Laboratory Evidence

5 Specialist Forensics

• Introduction
• Civil vs Criminal Courts
• Types of Forensics Used
• Digital & Electronic Forensics
• Gathering Evidence
• Order of Volatility
• Forensic Pathology
• Forensic Anthropology
• Forensic Psychology
• Training in Forensic Psychology
• What does a forensic psychologist do?

6 Criminology

• Introduction
• Psychological Theories
• Psychodynamic Theory
• Behavioural Theory
• Social Learning Theory
• Cognitive Theory
• Moral Development
• Personality and Crime
• Intelligence and Crime
• Children and Crime
• Violence in Children
• Age of Criminal Responsibility

7 Psychological Disorders and Crime

• Introduction
• What Do We Mean By Mental Health Disorder
• Mental Health and Criminal Offences
• Causality
• Legal Aspects
• Types of Disorders and Crime
• Psychoses
• Personality Disorders
• Psychopathy
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Schizoid Personality Disorder
• Substance Use
• Mental Health in Children and Crime
• Conduct Disorder
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder

8 Criminal Profiling and Intelligence

• Introduction
• Criminal Profiling
• Role of Forensic Psychologists & Psychiatrists in Profiling
• Police Profiling
• Statistical Profiling
• Applications of Profiling
• Profiling Typologies
• Problems with Profiling
• Intelligence
• Intelligence Gathering
• Surveillance
• Tracking Offenders
• Crime Analysis

9 Presenting Evidence in Court

• Introduction
• Evidence
• Burden of Proof
• Admissibility of Evidence
• Admissibility and Forensic Evidence
• Witnesses and Delivering Testimony
• Expert Witness Testimony
• Eye Witness Testimonies

10 Ethical Issues

• Introduction
• Legislation vs. Legislature
• The Purpose of the Law
• The Purpose of Ethics
• Exercise: The Plank of Carneades
• Ethical Practice and Forensic Science
• Ethics as Protective
• A Note on Jury Tainting
• Chain of Custody
• Forensic Practice and Ethics
• Professional Responsibilities for the Psychology and Counsellor
• Conflicts of Interest
• Duty of Care
• Sexual Exploitation
• Group Counselling
• Children and Persons with Diminished Capacity
• Multicultural Issues and Respect
• Client Records and Confidentiality
• Dual Relationships
• Professional Consultation
• Mental Health and Psychology
• Labelling and Mental Health
• Ethical implications In Forensic Psychology
• Confidentiality
• Best Interests

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the academy, marked by the academy's tutors and returned to you with feedback, any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Psychologists, Criminologists, Forensic Scientists, Mental Health Professionals

A pc or laptop with internet connection.

There is a range of different roles you could take on as a forensic scientist. You could specialise in:

• blood and DNA analysis
• handwriting and signature analysis
• computer analysis and data recovery
• attending crime scenes, collecting forensic evidence for further analysis

Forensic scientists work closely with the Police and Crown Prosecution Service.