Forensic Science Level 3
Studying forensic science involves learning crime scene investigation, evidence analysis, laboratory techniques, and legal procedures. Take a deep dive into fascinating topics and discover how small details can make a big difference.
Course Introduction
Why study Level 3 Forensic Science?
Forensic scientists apply science and technology to examine various types of evidence from crimes. This Forensic Science Diploma provides a comprehensive foundation of skills and knowledge essential for interpreting evidence and aiding investigations.
Forensic science is a demanding yet fascinating field that has gained popularity in recent years, partly due to the influence of TV dramas and documentaries. If you have a curious mind, keen attention to detail, and a passion for science, enrolling in a forensic science diploma could be an excellent choice.
Studying Level 3 Forensic Science offers valuable skills in evidence analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving. It enhances knowledge of crime scene investigation, laboratory techniques, and legal procedures. This qualification can lead to careers in forensic science, law enforcement, or further study, providing a strong foundation for investigative and scientific roles.
Course Info
- Duration
- Study Hours
- Difficulty
- Outcome
- QAN Code
- Units
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12 months
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580
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Level 3
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NCFE CACHE
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603/2618/9
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7 units (view units)
Awarding Body: NCFE Customised Qualifications
With a heritage stretching back over 150 years, NCFE is one of the largest awarding bodies in the UK. Last year, NCFE awarded certification to over 340,000 students.
NCFE Customised Qualifications are bespoke, unregulated qualifications developed to meet the specific needs of learners. These courses fit in where there are no other regulated qualifications available. This means you can achieve recognition from a well-respected awarding body, even if there isn’t a pre-existing qualification in a certain subject area.
What you will learn
Below is an outline of the course material you will study:
Unit 1: Crime scene examination & management
- Forensic science in the UK
- Crime scene sketching and reporting
- Protecting crime scenes & avoiding contamination
- Collecting and recording evidence
- The difference between volume crime & serious crime
Unit 2: Trace Evidence
- Dusting for fingerprints
- Latent fingerprints
- Analysis of fibre evidence
- The information provided by hair evidence
- Comparing glass evidence
Unit 3: DNA and Body Fluids
- What is DNA?
- Sources of DNA
- Collecting DNA evidence
- Processing and analysing DNA
- Blood spatter analysis
Unit 4: Ballistics
- Understanding firearms
- Trace evidence from ballistics – gunshot residue
- Bullets & striations
- Casings and identifying weapons
Unit 5: Forensic Toxicology
- Drugs of abuse & poisons
- Metabolites and drug evidence
- Using chromatography in chemical analyses
- Spectroscopic techniques in forensic toxicology
Unit 6: Human remains and anthropology
- The value of human remains
- Dentition – using teeth to tell a story
- The skull as evidence
- Mapping bones to draw conclusions
Unit 7: Integrity of evidence & legal process
- Follow the journey of a case from the crime scene to court
- The importance of chain of custody in preserving reliability
- The criminal court system, criminal law and legal framework for forensic scientists
- The forensic expert’s role in court
- Collecting and recording evidence
- The difference between volume crime & serious crime
Course Outcome
Upon completion of the qualification, Learners will be awarded a formal certificate of achievement from NCFE CACHE.
Potential Employment Settings
After you’ve completed this course, you could apply for roles in a variety of settings, including:
Residential/nursing homes
Domiciliary care
Day centres
Clinical healthcare.
Progressing onto further study
There are also plenty of options should you want to move on to further study. The following courses are ideal progression routes in adult care:
Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services.
Alternatively, you may opt for qualifications in management, lead practitioner roles or a specialist course relating to your place of work.
Examinations and Assessments
This Level 3 diploma is designed to provide you with everything you need to develop professionally as an adult care worker, and to expand the career opportunities available to you.
As you progress on this course, you will demonstrate your ability to work at Level 3, and to take a lead role working with adults in a health and social care setting. Your skills will be assessed in a variety of ways, such as written assignments and a work-based portfolio of evidence. You will also be assessed by observations, which should take place during your normal routine. Your Oxbridge tutor will sign off your observations, as well as mark your assignments. To successfully achieve this diploma, learners must gain a total of 58 credits across all units.
Your performance in the workplace can be assessed by a workplace assessor who has held a supervisory role for over two years, and has a level 3 Health and Social Care qualification, or a colleague who holds both a Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification and an assessing qualification such as A1 or CAVA. Oxbridge will verify the suitability of your assessor, and we offer free guidance in how to observe and write in a format suitable for marking by your tutor. An Oxbridge assessor can also be provided for you if required, for an additional fee. Find out more about what’s required of an assessor here.
When you submit your written work, you will be required to include a bibliography using clear citations and references. You will also need to provide documentation of your work, such as an evidence record, and a log of placement hours. Your tutor will explain exactly what is needed.
Entry Requirements
In order to achieve this qualification, you must be at least 16 years old and working, volunteering or on practical placement as you will need to show competence in both knowledge and skills.