Kingston is ranked No.9 in the UK for Forensic Science (Complete University Guide 2023). This course prepares students or a career as a forensic scientist. Case studies, evidence interpretation, fieldwork and laboratory training cover all aspects of investigating criminal offences. These include crime scene processing, forensic archaeology, drugs, toxicology, DNA profiling, body fluids, entomology, fibres, fire investigation and ballistics.
Students will also have an introduction to criminal law, which includes cross-examination in a Crown Court setting.
Specialist topics include blood pattern analysis (BPA), gunshot residue detection, counterfeits and forgeries, and the analysis of trace evidence. In addition, this course also provides additional industry recognised certificates in BPA, forensic toxicology and DNA profiling at no extra cost.
The three-year, full-time course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS) for the component standards in Interpretation, Evaluation and Presentation of Evidence; Laboratory Analysis; and Crime Scene Investigation. When students graduate, they'll be eligible to apply to be an Associate of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. In the final year, students will get the opportunity to complete a major 'capstone' project where they can apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired to a range of real issues in different contexts. This is a great way to learn and is a valuable bridge to employment or further research at masters level.
