Integrated Foundation - Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Forensic Science with Criminology

The BSc (Hons) Forensic Science with Criminology with Foundation Year is a four-year programme designed to extend career prospects by combining the technical expertise of forensic science with the analytical insights of criminology.

Accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, the course sets high professional standards and begins with a foundation year, offering invaluable knowledge for those considering a career change or exploring new subject areas. The programme develops a versatile combination of professional skills, enhancing employability and opening opportunities in the graduate job market. Students gain practical experience in first-rate facilities, including forensic laboratories, crime scene houses, courtrooms, and crime scene vehicles.

The curriculum situates forensic science within broader criminological and societal contexts, covering themes such as miscarriages of justice, policing, victimology, and the progression of cases from crime scene to courtroom. Learning alongside professional forensic scientists, fingerprint experts, police officers, lawyers, and judges provides insights into real-world professional practice, while a year-long placement with the East Midlands Scientific Operations Unit (EMSOU) allows students to apply their skills in forensic imaging, footwear, or analytical service laboratories.

Forensic Science with Criminology at Derby integrates high-level forensic skills with in-depth criminological knowledge, examining questions surrounding the causes of criminal behaviour and the influence of nature and nurture. The programme also addresses the legal aspects of forensic science, including the court process and the role of expert testimony and evidence. By studying Criminology alongside Forensic Science, students gain a comprehensive understanding of case progression—from evidence collection and examination to presenting findings in court.

The curriculum includes practical training in investigating mock crime scenes and developing expertise in fingerprint, drugs, DNA, bodily fluids, and blood pattern analysis, as well as applications of entomology, anthropology, and taphonomy. Simultaneously, students broaden their knowledge of the criminal justice system, covering expert testimony, miscarriages of justice, courtroom procedures, and the roles of judges, juries, and witnesses, with opportunities to practice presenting findings and undergoing cross-examination by barristers.