Forensic Science
Forensic science is the application of scientific knowledge and methods to the investigation of crime and the resolution of questions in legal proceedings. It draws on biology, chemistry, physics and psychology to examine physical evidence, reconstruct events and support the work of the criminal justice system. From the analysis of DNA and the identification of controlled substances to the interpretation of blood patterns and the examination of fire and explosive residues, forensic scientists work at the interface between empirical science and the legal processes through which evidence is evaluated and justice is sought.
At the University of Bedfordshire, this three-year full-time programme provides a comprehensive understanding of the biological and chemical sciences underlying forensic analysis, alongside engagement with the most recent advances in areas including DNA profiling, toxicology, fire and explosive investigation and criminal psychology. You will develop practical laboratory skills alongside theoretical knowledge, learning the techniques that forensic analysis requires and developing an understanding of how evidence is gathered, processed and interpreted within the legal system. Technological advances in forensic science have made the discipline increasingly important both in crime investigation and in adjacent fields including archaeology and environmental analysis.
Graduates of forensic science programmes move into careers in forensic science laboratories, police services, the Crown Prosecution Service, defence organisations and research institutions. The scientific skills the degree develops are also valued in analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical quality control, environmental testing and the life sciences industry. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in forensic science, toxicology, analytical chemistry or a specialist area such as digital forensics or forensic archaeology, where the foundation built in the undergraduate degree supports more advanced technical or research work.