Chemistry with Forensic Science BSc(Hons)

This module teaches you to recognise a range of functional groups and to name systematically compounds that contain them. Structure and bonding in organic compounds are discussed, as are the concepts of the octet rule, orbital hybridisation, formal charge, bond polarisation and resonance. The importance of molecular geometry is introduced and the basic principles of molecular conformation and of stereochemistry are covered. In preparation for the chemistry to follow, an integrated treatment of the 'language of chemical change' is presented. The ideas of mechanism and reaction intermediates are met, together with the curly arrow symbolism which chemists use to represent the electron movement inherent in chemical reactions. In the second half of the module, the chemistry of the principal functional groups is considered, using the ideas developed earlier. The lecture programme is reinforced by regular tutorials in which problems are worked. Running parallel to the lecture programme is a continuously assessed practical course that introduces you to the basic techniques of preparative organic chemistry.

This module covers four areas of physical chemistry: Units, Conversions and the Properties of ideal and non-ideal Gases, Solution Chemistry of Acids, Bases and Salts, Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis, and Introductory Thermodynamics

This module aims to introduce students from diverse backgrounds to the range of skills required in modern analytical science and illustrate how analytical methodology underpins scientific investigation across the conventional discipline boundaries. The module will build on and develop your prior knowledge of analysis whilst not assuming any particular area of expertise and will also endeavour to improve your numerical, IT and communication skills by illustrating analytical methodology in the context of these key skill areas. This module also aims to develop your ability to obtain and interpret a wide range of spectroscopic data in a systematic and logical fashion. In this way you'll be taught to apply your knowledge to a wide range of new problems and in so doing develop your general problem solving skills. The module will be taught primarily by lectures and tutorials with illustrative practical work to highlight salient points from the lecture material.

This module is an introduction to basic forensic techniques and the scientific principles underlying them. Techniques used include fingerprint development (chemical and physical), spot tests for blood stains, identification of glass fragments by density, refractive index and x-ray fluorescence, microscopic examination of hairs and fibres and methods for determining alcohol and drugs in the blood. Practical work is supported by lectures on forensic awareness and how forensic scientists interact with the police force and other bodies.

This module provides an introduction to the use of computers for scientific data handling and networking. It will also consolidate the mathematical ability of students entering the course from a variety of backgrounds and provides the essential groundwork in this subject area together with an introduction to probability and statistics.

In this module you'll have the opportunity to consolidate the interpretative skills learnt in the module Analytical Science 1 and extend these to the analysis of spectra from more complex organic molecules. The majority of samples encountered in analytical science are mixtures, you'll be introduced to the basics of the most widely used forms of chromatography and a number of application areas of each will be described including the application of combined separation and spectroscopic techniques. Additionally you'll be introduced to a selection of instrumental analyses including atomic spectroscopy, thermal methods and electrochemical techniques, and statistical methodology which provide solutions to many of the analytical problems which are encountered in modern society. This module aims to develop your abilities in these directions to enable you to design an analytical process whilst further developing your IT, communication and numerical skills.

This module will build on the theory covered in the module Inorganic Chemistry 1, looking primarily at the chemistry of transition metal (d-block) elements. The concepts of coordination chemistry and the bonding in complexes will be introduced, and how the optical and magnetic properties demonstrated by complexes can be explained by Crystal Field Theory. More advanced aspects of coordination chemistry will be introduced, including chelates, macrocycles, organometallic and supramolecular species. The behaviour of solid materials will also be discussed, focussing on band theory to explain semiconductor properties, the effect of defects on properties, and basic crystal structures. The practical component of the module incorporates techniques for the synthesis and characterisation of metal complexes.

This module covers six topics: equilibrium and dynamic electrochemistry, phase equilibria, colloids and colloidal suspensions, colligative properties, kinetics of composite reactions and quantum theory – basic principles and simple applications. With the exception of quantum theory, material in the other areas builds on that presented in year 1.

This module builds upon the concepts and techniques introduced in the module Practical Forensic Science 1. Emphasis will be placed on practical problem solving, clear recording of work performed and both statistical and critical analysis of results. The module will introduce further instrumental techniques including chromatography and mass spectrometry. Samples studied will include poisons, restricted drugs and explosive residues.

An overview of commonly encountered evidence types at crime scenes will be provided, with a focus on crime scene specific issues, such as location, recovery, packaging contamination, health and safety. In addition, the forensic significance of the evidence will be discussed reflecting the new roles of the crime scene practitioner in formulating submission strategies, as well as crime scene management. Crime scene examination strategies will be covered, along with strategies to preserve the continuity and integrity of the evidence and information obtained, as well as photography. An introduction to the legal system will be provided along with report production and defending witness statements in a mock court of law. A series of practical will also be provided where the students place the theory in to practice. You will also be introduced to Digital Forensics and Cyber Crime.

This module is designed to develop advanced practical skills across the main core disciplines of chemical sciences and to demonstrate the combination of skills needed to undertake research projects, from initial conception and planning, to undertaking practical work, reviewing results and reporting results. The practical classes will provide an opportunity to use sophisticated experimental techniques in organic, physical, inorganic and analytical science. The module is constructed to provide you with experience of extended exercises, working both individually and in small groups. The sessions will involve experimental design, evaluation and interpretation of results, presenting and reporting results.

This module draws together the basic concepts of synthesis and reaction mechanisms in the context of providing methods for designing suitable synthetic routes to target compounds and also extends the range of reaction types to include pericyclic reactions. The module introduces contemporary preparative methods for the synthesis of organic compounds. Further aspects relating to designing a synthesis and the connection between design and retrosynthetic principles are covered. The selectivity of reactions and the concepts of regio-, chemo-, stereo- and enantioselectivity are developed as are the rules governing pericyclic reactions. The reaction mechanism component draws together concepts in both physical and mechanistic organic chemistry. This section provides techniques that can be used to differentiate between mechanistic types. The use of product analysis, activation parameters, linear free energy relationships and isotope effects to determine reaction mechanisms are described.

This module covers various aspects of advanced physical chemistry. The properties of surfaces and the interaction of gas molecules with surfaces will be discussed. Different theories of adsorption will be compared. The kinetics of surface reactions will be related to the mechanism of the reaction. The application of surface science type measurements in developing an understanding of how atoms and molecules adsorb on surfaces will be covered. Central to chemistry is being able to relate observation made in the laboratory to behaviour at the atomistic level and equally to use the interaction of atoms and molecules to derive quantities that can be measured at the macro-level. Thus statistical thermodynamics will be introduced and used to derive fundamental properties. Atomistic modelling also provides a view into the molecular world and after reviewing the fundamentals of quantum mechanics the methods for approximating multi electron systems will be introduced and the applications in computational chemistry explored. One important application of quantum mechanics which is used routinely throughout chemistry is spectroscopy. We will therefore show how the quantum definitions of the allowed vibrational and rotational energy levels of a simple harmonic oscillator and a rigid-rotor can be used to derive the observed IR and microwave spectra of diatomic molecules and introduce other related aspects of the theory relating to atomic and molecular spectroscopy.

The relationship between the forensic scientist and the justice system will be explored with a view to addressing aspects of criminal and civil law. Aspects of presentation of evidence as well as the role and responsibility of the expert witness will also be explored. The requirements of quality systems will be considered within context of presenting robust evidence; as well as the considerations of ethical practice. Quality Assurance procedures and importance of standard operating procedures in relation to accreditation will be explored (i.e. ISO17020 and ISO17025).

In this module the basic description of separation science provided earlier in the course will be expanded and extended. Recent developments in the subject will be discussed in terms of basic chromatographic theory. The application of separation methods to the identification and quantification of drugs and their metabolites in toxicological samples will be discussed. The metabolism of drugs, in so far as this process impinges upon the analytical methodology employed in toxicological analysis, together with the effects of sample type and their storage will be highlighted.

This module comprises of a series of specialist workshops incorporating both theoretical and practical aspects in the more specialist forensic science disciplines, not covered elsewhere in the course.