Forensic Investigation

Forensic investigation is the application of scientific methods to the examination of physical evidence for use in legal proceedings. It is a discipline that draws on chemistry, biology, physics, and data analysis to examine crime scenes, analyse materials, and produce evidence that can withstand scrutiny in a court of law. Far from the dramatised versions familiar from television, forensic investigation is a rigorous and methodical scientific discipline that demands precision, attention to detail, an understanding of the legal frameworks governing evidence, and the ability to communicate findings clearly to non-specialist audiences.

This four-year full-time programme at Glasgow Caledonian University develops your knowledge and practical skills across the methods and applications of forensic science. You will study the scientific principles that underpin forensic investigation, including trace evidence, biological evidence, digital evidence, and physical evidence analysis, alongside the legal and procedural frameworks within which forensic investigators work. A year abroad is incorporated into the programme, giving you an international perspective on forensic practice and the opportunity to develop your studies in a different academic environment.

With a typical entry tariff of 152 points, the programme is competitive and suits students with strong scientific backgrounds who are drawn to the application of science in justice contexts.

Forensic investigation graduates move into careers in police forensic services, national forensic laboratories, private forensic science companies, and the legal system. Crime scene investigation, fingerprint examination, document examination, and digital forensics are specialist areas that graduates enter with additional training and experience. The legal sector employs forensic experts as expert witnesses and analysts supporting prosecution and defence.

The intelligence and security agencies, border force, and regulatory bodies are further employers. Environmental forensics and fire investigation are specialist fields that draw on forensic science skills in non-criminal contexts. Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study in forensic science, criminology, or forensic psychology to develop expertise in a particular specialism.