‘Physical Evidence’ is tangible evidence left at crime scenes and/or found on suspects, which is in some way related to a criminal incident and links or eliminates suspects to these activities. Examples of physical evidence include; glass fragments, hairs and fibres, paint chips, fingerprints, footwear impressions (footprints), biological material (blood, semen etc), narcotics, toolmarks, tape comparison, explosive residue, GSR (gun shot residue) and others. This unit explores the processes required for the analysis of physical evidence and combines analytical and physical comparative examination methodologies. Students will use these methods to examine; the chemical composition of trace evidence and identify unique physico-chemical markers, the detection of chemical residues and biological material, physical comparison of suspect and exemplar items such as footwear impressions and toolmarks left at the crime scene, and the comparison of paint chips, glass fragments, hairs and fibres. Students will explore these methodologies using practical case studies and will be required to present their evidence/findings at the completion of the unit.

This unit extends the student's knowledge and understanding of analytical instrumentation that is relevant to forensic investigations and analysis in the environmental and food sciences. It will provide an understanding of the chemical and physical principles underlying the utilisation of instrumentation in chemical analysis. Topics include principles of spectroscopic techniques separation methods; sample collection and storage; presumptive testing; an extended range of modern chemical instrumentation including gas and liquid chromatography; atomic spectroscopy; mass spectroscopy; x-ray methods and spectroscopic methods.

This unit extends the student's knowledge and understanding of chemical topics that are relevant to forensic investigations and provides a deeper understanding of the underlying chemical and physical principles. Topics are taught in the context of the correct principles and procedures for collecting and conserving evidence and the safe handling of chemical substances. Topics include an extended range of modern chemical instrumentation; the chemistry and analysis of various classes of drugs; clandestine drug laboratories; fire, arson and accelerants; explosions and explosives; chemical and biological warfare agents.

The unit is directed towards the accreditation of a laboratory for chemical, microbiological or forensic testing. Throughout their undergraduate studies, students will have acquired and developed a wide range of practical skills. Competency in the laboratory, however, encompasses much more than the ability to demonstrate a range of manipulative skills. This unit focuses upon the importance and coordination of good laboratory management, teamwork, calibration, record keeping and laboratory manuals. Students are required to develop, establish and operate a Laboratory Quality Management system designed for a specific class of chemical or microbiological test. The quality system is then subjected to a mock accreditation following the guidelines laid down by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA). Students will staff the laboratory system under evaluation while academic staff and visitors act as the assessors.