Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree 180 credits in, biomedicine, chemistry, biology or similar fields giving relevant knowledge in genetics and molecular biology as well as chemistry and biochemistry.

Learning outcomes

After examination, the student should be able to:

• account for how the law enforcement and judicial system functions and related legislation
• describe how a crime scene investigation is carried out and explain the importance of technical evidence in criminal cases
• account for different forensic methods and use in criminal investigations
• describe sampling techniques and quality assurance procedures
• account for traceability and "chain of custody"
• understand procedures for individual identification after disasters
• apply and critically evaluate methods and issues within forensic science
• work according to scientific standards

In addition the student should demonstrate an understanding of a scientific approach, how to evaluate scientific investigations, how societal and ethical considerations are applied on research and how scientific results are communicated.

Content

Introduction to the subject forensic science and legal proceedings. Quality assurance at crime scene investigation and sampling. Various forensic analyses for identification such as fingerprints, shoeprints, and tool marks.

Laboratory work: Laboratory sessions highlighting criminalistics methods.

During a series of lectures (given jointly with other medical Master programs) you will get an insight in a number of general science-related topics.

Instruction

The teaching is given as lectures, seminars, demonstrations and laboratory exercises. Special focus is directed to stimulate the students to independently solve problems.

Compulsory parts of the course: Course introduction. All parts in connection with laboratory sessions, demonstrations and advanced assignments including group meetings, briefings and presentation. Common seminars for Master programmes.

Assessment

Written examinations, advanced assignment (oral and written presentation), laboratory report (oral and written presentation) and additional exercises (oral and written presentation). For a pass on the course, passed examination, passed laboratory course, passed written assignments and presentations are required.

Students who have failed the examination have the right to go through examination further 4 times (= total 5 examinations). If special circumstances apply, the programme committee can admit to additional examinations. Each occasion the student participates in an examination is regarded as an examination attempt. Submission of so-called blank exam is counted as examination.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Other directives

Selections: serial: 1. Admitted to Master's programme in forensic science, 2. Others in case of a vacancy