Overview
Analysing the crime. Collecting the evidence. Giving an expert opinion in court, all eyes on you. The job of a forensic scientist is challenging, yet fascinating. Using principles of biology, chemistry and maths, these experts obtain and analyse evidence from a variety of sources, including body fluids, hair, textile fibres glass fragments and tyre marks. If you’ve always been interested in learning more about this exciting and compelling discipline, this course is for you.
Once enrolled, you'll learn about the principles and practicalities of working in a scientific setting, how crime scenes are investigated, and the procedures to follow when collecting and analysing evidence from a crime scene. You’ll have the opportunity to delve into the workings of the criminal mind, analysing motives and thinking, and you’ll explore DNA and blood spatter analysis. This course enables you to work completely at your own pace, in your own time, and you don't need any experience or knowledge to enrol.
What you'll learn
- Scientific disciplines
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Computing
- The role of the forensic science services
- Health and Safety
- Crime scene preservation
- Documentation of the scene and its evidence
- Recognition and recovery of physical evidence
- Transportation and storage and of evidence
- Chain of custody
- Gathering digital forensic evidence
- Common types of storage devices
- Recovering and packaging of digital evidence
- Transporting digital evidence
- Written records
- Principles of gathering digital forensic evidence
- General equipment
- Optional equipment
- Specialised equipment
- Inspect and prepare submitted items
- A range of chemical, biological and physical techniques applied to the forensic analysis.
- DNA analysis
- Body fluid analysis
- Bloodstain pattern analysis
- Fingerprint analysis
- Physical impression and imprints analysis
- Trace evidence analysis
- Arson analysis
- Explosives analysis
- Ballistics analysis
- Drug analysis
- Documents analysis
- Digital equipment analysis
- Interpreting results
- Presenting findings
- Written and oral skills
- Computing skills
Extra info
Awarding Body

The Quality Licence Scheme is part of the Skills and Education Group, a charitable organisation that unites education and skills-orientated organisations that share similar values and objectives. With more than 100 years of collective experience, the Skills and Education Group’s strategic partnerships create opportunities to inform, influence and represent the wider education and skills sector.
Endorsed by
Course Outcome
At the end of this course, successful learners will receive a Certificate of Achievement from QLS (Quality Licence Scheme) and a Learner Unit Summary (which lists the details of all of the units you have completed as part of your course).
How is this course assessed or examined?
Assessments are in the form of written tasks that take place at the end of each unit to check your understanding.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course, however, it is recommended that you have an intermediate ability to read and write English.