Forensic Investigation BSc (Hons)

UCAS code F412

Duration

3 Years

4 Years

4 Years

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Learn how to manage crime scenes, analyse crucial evidence and help with real forensic cases on this exciting hands-on course.

From day one, you’ll learn real-world skills including crime scene photography. To prepare you for the ever-evolving nature of crime, we’ve also brought digital forensics into the heart of the course. You’ll be able to handle video and audio evidence and extract data from mobile phones, computers and drones.

Using our £2m simulation facilities, you’ll process scenes, interview witnesses and present your findings in our mock courtroom. In our specialist labs, you’ll analyse hairs, fibres, glass marks and documents, and use our automated fingerprint ID system. There will be strong support from our technical team.

You’ll also get to apply your skills as a forensic investigator in the real world. Through our Staffordshire Forensic Partnership, we offer placements with Staffordshire Police. Students can join our Cold Case Unit too, supporting investigators on missing person cases.

The degree is ideal for careers with police forces, forensic providers and investigative agencies.

Our Forensic Investigation degrees are ideal for those who have a strong interest in criminalistics, forensics, crime scene science and evidence analysis. We will equip you for a career working with the police, a forensic provider or any other investigative or intelligence agency, such as the Home Office, HM Customs and Excise. Our industry standard facilities include a crime scene house, specialist laboratories and equipment to give you practical skills and knowledge for when you graduate.

The Foundation Year option is available for those who may not have the academic profile for direct entry onto the 3-year degree. It will prepare you for the Forensic Investigation degree by studying modules such as Crime in Context and Theories of Criminality.

The Foundation year is taught with the City of Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College, so you will be on the Staffordshire University Stoke on Trent campus and the college's campus for the first year. 

Our Forensic Investigation degrees are ideal for those who have a strong interest in criminalistics, forensics, crime scene science and evidence analysis. We will equip you for a career working with the police, a forensic provider or any other investigative or intelligence agency, such as the Home Office, HM Customs and Excise.

Our industry standard facilities include a crime scene house, specialist laboratories and equipment to give you practical skills and knowledge for when you graduate.

The BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation with a Placement Year has been designed to provide students with the opportunity to gain practical experience by taking a year-long placement in industry. The placement takes place between the second and final year of study.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation

Work placements

If you choose to study Forensic Investigation with a Placement Year, you will complete a placement between the second and final years of the course. If you opt to study the MSci Forensic Investigation, then you will complete an integrated masters placement in your fourth year. Our placement staff will work with you to identify a suitable location for your work placement. Please also note that you are responsible for any costs incurred in travelling to and from your work placement, and for any accommodation costs.

Work placements

If you choose to transfer to the Placement Year route or MSci route after your foundation year, then you will have the opportunity to complete a placement. If you choose to study the Forensic Investigation with a Placement Year course, you will complete a placement after the third year of the course, whilst the MSci route has an integrated masters placement in the final (what would be the fifth) year.

Work placements

If you choose to study this Forensic Investigation with a Placement Year course, you will complete a placement between the second and final years of the course. Our placement staff will work with you to identify a suitable location for your work placement. Please also note that you are responsible for any costs incurred in travelling to and from your work placement, and for any accommodation costs.

Course content

First year:

Using our simulation facilities, you’ll learn how to process a crime scene, including sketching and photographing the scene, protecting evidence from contamination, and packaging samples. These are important skills if you want to become a scenes of crime officer (SOCO) or investigator.

We’ll start to build your digital forensic skills, including extracting evidence from mobile phones and other equipment. There will be an introduction to forensic scientific techniques in our labs.

You will also cover policing theory and the role of evidence-based policing. Optional modules delve into topics like missing person investigations and techniques used to detect fraud and forgeries.

Second year:

You’ll look at biological and chemical concepts, including DNA, how to test for the presence of body fluids and interpret blood spatter patterns. We will explore techniques for analysing fingerprints, footwear impressions, fibres and glass.

You’ll look at more complex software for processing digital evidence. To build your skills as an investigator, you will learn how to manage a crime scene and interview witnesses and complainants.

For one of the optional modules, you can find out how vehicle collision investigators reconstruct crashes and examine human, mechanical and environmental factors. Other options include firearms investigations and forensic anthropology.

Third year:

You’ll bring together everything you’ve learnt by experiencing a case from crime scene to court. As part of small team, you’ll process a mock crime scene and document your evidence, then analyse samples in the lab. You will compile a report and be cross-examined on your findings in a mock courtroom.

Other modules explore the role of expert witnesses and new and emerging forensic technologies. You can also join our forensic field school and gain practical experience alongside forensic investigators.

You will complete an in-depth forensic research project.

In Year 1, you will build on your academic skills by discussing the different Theories of Criminality and Crime in Context, as well as learning about the Principles of Law.

In Year 2, you will be introduced to Forensic Scientific Techniques, including Digital Evidence Processing and Crime Scene Processing.

During Year 3, You will enhance your investigative skills, analyse and interpret a range of criminalistic and biological evidence types and you will build on your Digital Evidence Processing knowledge with an advanced module. You will begin designing your final year research project and choose one option module, such as Firearm Investigation, Forensic Archaeology and Vehicle Collision Investigation.

In Year 4, our BSc (Hons) students put forensic knowledge into practice by working on simulated crime scenes, analysing the evidence and presenting in court as an Expert Witness. You’ll also complete your independent research project in a current forensic field

In Year 1, you will be introduced to Forensic Scientific Techniques, including Digital Evidence Processing and Crime Scene Processing.

During Year 2, You will enhance your investigative skills, analyse and interpret a range of criminalistic and biological evidence types and you will build on your Digital Evidence Processing knowledge with an advanced module. You will begin designing your final year research project and choose one option module, such as Firearm Investigation, Forensic Archaeology and Vehicle Collision Investigation. You will look for and apply for placement opportunities supported by the careers team and placements lead in the department.

Students successful in finding a placement will spend Year 3 on placement and will be visited by their University placement tutor.

In Year 4, our BSc (Hons) students put forensic knowledge into practice by working on simulated crime scenes, analysing the evidence and presenting in court as an Expert Witness. You’ll also complete your independent research project in a current forensic field

Academic year

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Typically the majority of modules are 20 and 40 academic credits. 

All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6.  The full-time course has one start point in September.

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Typically the majority of modules are 20 and 40 academic credits. 

All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6.  The full-time course has one start point in September.

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Typically the majority of modules are 20 and 40 academic credits. 

All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6.  The full-time course has one start point in September.

Professional body accreditation

The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences provides an accreditation system for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in forensic science and related topics. Accreditation is given provided the course content meets with the Society's component standards which provide a quality endorsement of the course.

The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

Professional body accreditation

The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences provides an accreditation system for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in forensic science and related topics. Accreditation is given provided the course content meets with the Society's component standards which provide a quality endorsement of the course.

The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

Professional body accreditation

The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences provides an accreditation system for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in forensic science and related topics. Accreditation is given provided the course content meets with the Society's component standards which provide a quality endorsement of the course.

The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

Graduate celebrates “perfect start” to career in forensics

News

A recent Staffordshire University graduate says landing a job in digital forensics is the “perfect start” to her career

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Case Studies In Criminal Justice 20 credits
Crime Scene Processing 20 credits
Digital Evidence Processing 20 credits
Introduction To Forensic Scientific Techniques 20 credits
Policing Theory 20 credits
Show 2 optional modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Advanced Digital Evidence Processing 20 credits
Bodies Of Evidence 20 credits
Investigative Skills 20 credits
Marks And Traces 20 credits
Research Skills In Forensics 20 credits
Show 4 optional modules

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 0 compulsory modules
Year 0 compulsory modules
Academic Skills 20 credits
Crime In Context 20 credits
Introduction To Critical Thinking And Argument 20 credits
Sociology Of Crime 20 credits
Theories Of Criminality And An Introduction From Crime Scene To Courtroom 40 credits
Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Case Studies In Criminal Justice 20 credits
Crime Scene Processing 20 credits
Digital Evidence Processing 20 credits
Introduction To Forensic Scientific Techniques 20 credits
Policing Theory 20 credits
Show 2 optional modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Advanced Digital Evidence Processing 20 credits
Bodies Of Evidence 20 credits
Investigative Skills 20 credits
Marks And Traces 20 credits
Research Skills In Forensics 20 credits
Show 4 optional modules

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Case Studies In Criminal Justice 20 credits
Crime Scene Processing 20 credits
Digital Evidence Processing 20 credits
Introduction To Forensic Scientific Techniques 20 credits
Policing Theory 20 credits
Show 2 optional modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Advanced Digital Evidence Processing 20 credits
Bodies Of Evidence 20 credits
Investigative Skills 20 credits
Marks And Traces 20 credits
Research Skills In Forensics 20 credits
Show 4 optional modules
Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory modules
Criminal Justice And Forensic Science Industrial Placement 120 credits

Entry requirements

Typical UCAS Offer: 112 points 

112-120 UCAS Tariff points

  • GCE A Levels - grades BBC or equivalent
  • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • Access to HE Diploma - Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity
  • UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • T Levels - Eligible T Level applications will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of P (A*-C) or Higher Pass as a condition of offer

Typical UCAS Offer: 48 points

  • A levels: A, DD, EEE
  • BTEC: PPP

Typical UCAS Offer: 112 points 

112-120 UCAS Tariff points

  • GCE A Levels - grades BBC or equivalent
  • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • Access to HE Diploma - Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity
  • UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • T Levels - Eligible T Level applications will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of P (A*-C) or Higher Pass as a condition of offer

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

Facilities

Criminalistics Facilities

The equipment housed in our Criminalistics Laboratories enable our students to analyse a wide range of physical evidence including fingerprints, footwear marks, glass, paint, documents, tool marks and firearms evidence. Read more

We also have a DCS5 Fingerprint Imaging Workstation, Comparison Macro- and Microscope, a SuperFume Room, Visual Spectral Comparators and an Evidence Store, which equips our Forensic graduates with the skills and knowledge needed for future employment.

Blood Room

Simulate blood spatter in our Trauma Analysis facility. There are two wet rooms with resources to help you recreate a crime scene and see what kind of blood spatter occurs from different scenarios with different weapons.  Read more

Simulate blood spatter in our Trauma Analysis facility. There are two wet rooms with resources to help you recreate a crime scene and see what kind of blood spatter occurs from different scenarios with different weapons. Resources include rails to hang materials on, paper rolls to place on the walls to record the spatter for analysis (or you can use the walls themselves), and a range of weapons and materials to simulate a physical body.

Science Centre

Our £30 million Science Centre in Stoke-on-Trent contains specialist laboratories with the latest state-of-the-art equipment. Read more

Find out more about our Science Centre Facilities

Careers

Graduates from our BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation degree have progressed onto careers as crime scene officers, police officers, prison officers, intelligence research officers, laboratory analysts, fraud investigators, digital forensic examiners, teachers, forensic technicians and fingerprint analysts.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 16-18 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor at least twice a year. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course. Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 16-18 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor at least twice a year. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course. Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 16-18 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor at least twice a year. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course. Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies.

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Staff

You will be taught by an expert teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teaching training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

Your tutors are experienced practitioners who will bring real-life experiences to your learning using the most up-to-date skills and technologies.

Dean Northfield

Senior Lecturer

Dean worked for West Yorkshire Police as a VIPER Officer (2 Years) then an Imaging Officer (6 years). He progressed to Senior Imaging Officer, before finishing his time at West Yorkshire Police in the Forensic Multimedia Unit

Dean's profile

Dr Duncan Parker

Course Director

Duncan Parker joined the university in 2017 as a lecturer in Chemistry, teaching on the Forensic Science degrees. He is now Course Leader for Forensic Science and Course Director for Forensic Science and Investigation.

Duncan's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons)-Full-time
Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,535 per year of study £16,750 per year of study

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons)-Full-time
Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,535 for your first year subsequent years will be charged at the University standard rate £16,750 for your first year subsequent years will be charged at the University standard rate

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons)-Full-time
Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,250 per year of study £16,750 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Our students

The best part of my experience at Staffs Uni has been the opportunities

The best part of my experience at Staffs Uni has been the opportunities that I have gained through their drive to increase your employability with networking confidence building workshops. I have been able to have experiences such as spending a month in America on a placement with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation within the post mortem laboratory and death investigation unit, as well as attending 2 global DNA and Forensic Pathology conferences.

Danielle Chew

Forensic Investigation

I looked at the course modules online, I was impressed by all the content that would be covered throughout the years and by all the facilities that we would use as part of the course. The thing that made me decide to come to Staffs Uni was the atmosphere on campus that I experienced during an open day, and how competent but also very friendly and helpful the staff members are.    

Emma Baldacci

Forensic Investigation

I knew that the course which Staffordshire University was offering would open many doors, as I was impressed with the extensive list of contacts. Furthermore, the university has a TEF Gold, which gave me confidence that the quality of teaching would be beneficial for my future.

I can confidently say that coming to University has been the best life choice I have ever made. I have met so many amazing people and the course is pushing me to reach my potential and allowing me to form goals for the future.

Sian Hill

Forensic Investigation

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time 22 September 2025 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

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