Forensic Medical Sciences

Entry requirements

To join the course, you will need either an appropriate life sciences degree or equivalent from a recognised academic institution, or an A 2:2 or above at undergraduate level in a Life Sciences subject.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This course aims to respond to a national and international need for professionals who can apply a critical and scientific approach to their forensic practice, and who wish to have a broad understanding of the various interrelated disciplines of forensic medicine and science. The programme’s five modules will provide theoretical and practical knowledge of the forensic medical sciences, and will train students to be able to critically evaluate and interpret forensic medical and scientific evidence.

• Cutting-edge programme – including theory and a focus on developing critical thinking and analytical skills
• Enjoy practical learning with visits to mortuaries and attendance to court hearings
• Learn from experienced staff with an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research in forensic medicine
• Further your career prospects within your own professional specialty

You will gain a broad understanding of the related disciplines of science and forensics, and cover a wide range of specialist topics, coupled with the opportunity to carry out research in a specialist area.

You will be trained to critically evaluate and interpret forensic medical and scientific evidence. You will study forensic pathology and visit mortuaries to observe autopsies, attend court hearings and gain knowledge of how injuries are interpreted and how cases are prepared for court. In clinical forensic medicine you will study the role of different forensic experts in assessing persons in custody, assault victims, assessing torture victims, etc.

Other areas which are covered include drugs, alcohol and their misuse, and how these substances are detected and quantified. You will also study the various methods that deceased and living persons can be identified both in single cases and in mass disasters, including by DNA, dental and other methods.