Here is a run down of a typical BSc (Hons) course in Forensic Science:

Such a course will typically offer four streams of study over a three year period (part-time study is often an option over a proportionally longer period). Forensic Practice and Investigation is at the heart of the course, the rest of the compulsory elements being -

• collection and analysis of evidence from crime scenes
• management and processing of crime scenes
• forensic science law

The information that the student will require to work through these modules is delivered in a number of different ways -

• courtroom experience
• seminars
• tutorials
• lectures
• crime scene simulations
• practical experience

In the simulations the student will have the opportunity to employ several methods to collect forensic data, such as forensic photography, fingerprinting, analysing tools, hairs and fibres and shoe impressions. Findings are then presented as evidence in a mock courtroom.

In the first year there are three additional modules - forensic biology, forensic anthropology and forensic chemistry. In years two and three the student can elect to generalise in all three of these or specialise in two.