Course overview
The aim of this course is to give students an overview of the area of forensic sciences including pathology, toxicology, anthropology and odontology, and provide an insight into how they may be used to investigate crime. The topics that will be covered include the changes in the body with death and decomposition; the pathology of wounds; burns; disaster victim identification; sudden death in children and adults; medical misadventure and drug-related deaths. As well as introducing students to content, emphasis is placed on applying critical thinking to analyse hypothetical cases and scenarios.
Course learning outcomes
- Describe the basis of forensic science and pathology and how these areas interact with the law, using specific forensic terminology
- Describe how crime scene investigations, together with forensic toxicology, forensic anthropology, forensic odontology, drug and DNA analysis, can support the investigation of serious crime
- Analyse the features of injuries and injury patterns associated with burns, drowning, electrocution, asphyxia and firearms
- Explain the types and features of natural and unnatural deaths, including those due to medical conditions, homicides, suicides, accidental deaths and sudden infant death syndrome
- Recognise the relevant issues in a hypothetical forensic scenario to determine how investigators would proceed with an investigation
- Critically analyse and interpret published scientific literature
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