Forensic and Analytical Science

Forensic and analytical science applies the principles and techniques of chemistry, biology, and related sciences to the investigation of criminal offences and the production of evidence that can withstand legal scrutiny. It spans the crime scene, where physical and biological traces are collected and preserved, through the laboratory, where samples are analysed using advanced instrumentation, to the courtroom, where scientists may be called upon to explain and defend their findings to judges, juries, and legal professionals. The discipline requires both rigorous scientific training and an understanding of the legal and procedural contexts in which forensic evidence is used.

At Robert Gordon University this four-year full-time programme takes a crime scene to courtroom approach, offering extensive practical elements alongside theoretical study. You will use a wide array of analytical instrumentation, developing hands-on competence with the techniques used in real forensic laboratories, from chromatography and mass spectrometry to DNA analysis and toxicological testing. The programme includes a sandwich year and a work placement, giving you extended professional experience in a forensic or analytical science setting before you graduate and the industry connections that support career entry in a sector where demonstrated practical ability is highly valued.

The focus on problem-solving skills prepares you for the kind of analytical thinking and evidence-based reasoning that forensic and scientific careers require.

Graduates find careers in forensic science, analytical chemistry, environmental testing, pharmaceutical quality control, food safety, and research and development. The key routes in forensic science lead to positions with police forensic services, independent forensic laboratories, and public health and safety agencies. The analytical skills developed through the programme are also valued across a wide range of industries where chemical and biological analysis is central to quality assurance and regulation.

Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in forensic science, analytical chemistry, or related scientific fields.