MASTER OF SCIENCE FORENSIC SCIENCE (MFS)
| Module Code | Module Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MFS502 | Forensic Chemistry | Course addresses criminal activity associated with chemistry. This includes drug analysis, toxicology, arson investigation, paints/plastics and firearms. Detection of fibre evidence and glass samples. Use of standard equipment and techniques: FTIR, AA, AAS spectroscopy, chromatography (TLC, HPLC, GC etc) in chemical detection and identification. |
| MFS509 | Courtroom Skills | This course covers the skills sets a forensic practitioner needs in the national and international criminal cases. This includes articulating how the evidence was collected, processed and defending the expert witnesses conclusions during cross examination. Understanding court room rules and requisite code of conduct. |
| MFS503 | Forensic Biology | This course covers application of Biological Sciences at a crime scene: including how to collect and interpret results from processed plant, animal and microbial material at a crime scene. How to use traditional methods to positively link Biological specimen to suspect. Use of modern molecular methods for identification and determination of place of origin of specimen. How to collect novice species for future reference. Analysis of material used to kill or harm different forms of life e.g. poisons, projectiles and firearms. Identify products made from protected wildlife. |
| MFS504 | Forensic Molecular Biology, Immunology, Serology and Microbiology | The course covers molecular based techniques used in identification and study of human, plant, wildlife and microbial material in a criminal investigation. Covers the protocols for collecting samples from a crime scene and techniques for
analysis. Concepts covered include DNA finger printing, metagenomics, bioinformatics, cloning, PCR, forensic, DNA barcoding, and CODIS. The immunological component of this course covers the use of antibodies to detect, identify and study antigens sourced from different material in a criminal investigation. Antigens range from pathogenic bacteria, viruses, blood typing, toxins, to pregnancy tests used in legal issues.Serology uses immunological and biochemical techniques to study or detect the presence of tissue sample (blood, semen, saliva and body fluid) in criminal investigation. |
| MFS505 | Forensic Physics | The course introduces a number of application areas of Physics that are of key importance to forensic analysis; among these are ballistics of bullets and other projectiles, the collisions of vehicles, the physics of explosions, and bloodstain patterns. Understanding anatomy of firearms, cartridge case and bullet comparison, shot pattern, gunpowder residues, searching firearm database. Projectile velocity determination, influence of gravity on trajectory, Le Du’s formula and Plobert’s law. Investigation of injuries caused by firearms or projectiles explosions. The course also introduces forensic investigations methods such as bloodstain pattern analysis, accident reconstruction, and tracing radioactive materials (e.g., the sources of nuclear weapons). |
| MFS508 | Forensic Psychology, Psychiatry and Criminal Behaviour | Determining if criminal activity was organised, spontaneous, disorganised or planned. The psychological profile of serial rapist/killers, arsonist etc. Psychological competence of a suspect and criminal profiling. Use of polygraph and voice stress analyser, detection of deception current research on detection of deception and truth fining |
| MFS510 | Forensic Anthropology: Osteology and Identification |
Covers methods of searching, identifying documentation of archaeological site and recovery of remains at burial sites. Evaluate human skeleton at a crime scene to determine age, sex and stature of victim. The science of carbon dating. Mastering techniques used in facial reconstruction, facial super imposition and use of Portrait Parle/Bertillionsytem. Somatormetry measurement various skeletal material (e.g. head, face, nose, cheek, ear, hand). Use of standard indices such as cephalic, cranial, and nasal indices. |
| MFS506 | Computer Forensics and Cyber Security |
Articulate the various types of computer crimes. How to identify computer(s) involved in criminal activity. Processing of seized magnetic media. Investigation of hate speech and computer terrorism, Trojan horse, pornography, logic bombs, computer stalking and computer viruses/worms.Investigation of Software piracy, counterfeit money authentication of video and images. Deals with recovering digital data from computers and smartphones. The data includes photo, video and audio devices, GPS location. Be proficient in the use of various equipment and software used in extracting data from computers and smart phones |
| MFS507 | Forensic Statistics |
The course introduces Statistics for Forensic Science, gently guiding the student through the key statistical techniques used to evaluate various types of forensic evidence. Assuming only a modest mathematical background, the course uses real-life examples from the forensic science literature and forensic case-work to illustrate relevant statistical concepts and methods. Starting with a brief overview of the history and use of statistics within forensic science, the course then goes on to introduce statistical techniques commonly used to examine data obtained during laboratory experiments. There is a strong emphasis on the evaluation of scientific observation as evidence and modern Bayesian approaches to interpreting forensic data for the courts. The analysis of key forms of evidence are discussed throughout with a particular focus on DNA, fibres and glass. An invaluable introduction to the statistical interpretation of forensic evidence; this course will be invaluable for all specializations in forensic science. |
| MFS570 | Research Project/Dissertation | This course will cover the scientific method, Ethics in science. The research process: Problem definition and selection, Problem analysis, Study plan. The research proposal: Guidelines for writing a proposal, Planning the research, Site selection, Sampling units, Replication. Data collection: Primary and secondary data, Sources of data. Statistical and data management software: Overview of software, Choice of appropriate package, Data entry and data management. Sampling: Random number tables, Simple random sampling, Stratified random sampling, Systematic sampling, Quadrat sampling. Surveys: Planning a survey, Types of surveys, Phases of a survey, How to sample,Questionnaire design, Implementing a survey, Data management, Tabulation and further data analysis, Reporting. Modelling: Multiple linear regression, Model checking and dealing with deviations from model assumptions, General linear models, Model checking and dealing with deviations from model assumptions, comparison of means, Introduction to REML, Introduction to generalised linear models. Simple time series models: Time series plots, Components of a time series, Smoothing. Analysis of distribution of free data (non-parametrics): Ranked data, Scores, Alternative methods of data analysis. Multivariate methods: Cluster methods, Principle component analysis, Discriminant analysis, Factor analysis. Presentation of research: Logging of data entry, Validation and analysis, Data presentation, Graphs and diagrams, Report writing. |