AP0400 - Practical Skills in Forensic Science

This module will be delivered by a combination of lectures and laboratory practical sessions. The laboratory sessions are designed to allow you to learn and develop your practical skills based upon the theory taught in lectures and also the recording of scientific information accurately, in a concise manner and presenting such findings to a ‘lay audience’, which is a key skill in forensic science. The use of case studies facilitates discussion of fundamental issues in these cases. Directed reading and your independent study will enhance both the taught and practical sessions.

You will be supported through active participation and discussion during laboratory practicals. These offer a unique opportunity to fully understand the scientific theory underpinning the laboratory tests and the interpretation of your scientific findings.
All lecture and practical material will be available on the University’s eLearning Portal, supplemented with guidance on further reading relevant to the subjects.
Written assessment feedback will also be provided to allow you to understand how you performed and how you can build on this performance in subsequent assessments within your programme.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

• You will be able to recognise the range of forensic techniques available and their value for analysis of different evidence types

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

• Exhibit a basic competence in key practical laboratory skills required for study at level 5, whilst applying good laboratory practice (GLP)
• Develop verbal and written communication skills in the delivery of factual information relating to forensic science topics

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

• Demonstrate aptitude in the intellectual skills required to become a forensic graduate

a. Formative assessment and rationale for task questions will be embedded within lectures to enable you to assess your knowledge and understanding of delivered material and prepare you for the summative exams. Formative laboratory sessions will help develop your skills in individual aspects of forensic examinations and establish the theory delivered within the lectures. These will enable you to gain confidence in the laboratory in advance of the summative laboratory assessment.

b. Summative assessment and rationale for task
Laboratory practical assessment (70%) MLO's 1,4 will take place at the end of the module and will allow you to evidence your laboratory skills accrued during the formative practical laboratory sessions.
The second assessed component of this module will include a group oral presentation on a forensic topic that will be communicated to you at the beginning of the module that will allow you to start develop confidence in oral presentations, communication skills and group working skills (30%) MLO's 2,3,4.

c. Feedback strategy
Individual written feedback will be provided for the summative laboratory practical as well as for the oral presentation. All feedback will be provided by within the university timeline guidelines.

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The content of this module includes the basic scientific knowledge and practical skills required of a scientist. This module will be delivered by a combination of lectures and laboratory practical sessions. The laboratories are designed to allow the student to acquire and develop practical skills based upon the theory taught in lectures. The recording of scientific information accurately and in a concise manner and presenting such findings to a ‘lay audience’ is another key skill in forensic science.The use of case studies facilitates both written and communication skills within the module.