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Forensic Science

Forensic Science is science which will stand up in a court of law.  Bradford, Huddersfield, Hull, Sheffield Hallam, Leeds Trinity and All saints and York Universities all offer a variety of courses relating to Forensic Science (see links below).  Once qualified, the major employer in the region is The Forensic Science Service, an agency of the Home Office.  It has seven laboratories across the UK, one of which is in Wetherby and runs a fast-track scheme for science graduates to become Forensic Scientists.  The service recruits scientists from a wide range of disciplines and its website has detailed information on its work and recruitment procedures for both scientific roles and non-scientific support positions.  The site also has some great Careers FAQs for graduates thinking about a role in the industry. 

Roles also exist with the public mortuaries in the region.  In Sheffield, the purpose-built Medico-Legal Centre provides facilities and services required for the investigation of sudden or unexpected death.  This unique institution combines Sheffield City Mortuary, South Yorkshire (West) Coroner's Office and court and the Forensic Pathology and Legal Medicine Department of the Forensic Science Service. 

The Police Service also recruits graduates into Scenes of Crime Officer roles and a detailed description of this role can be found here with vacancies normally advertised in the local press.  The University of Bradford runs an MSc in Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Investigation which can help entry into the role.

Crime analysis and related psychology is usually carried out by the police as this differs from Forensic Science. Further information on this career option can be obtained by contacting your local police force or The British Psychological Society.  Leeds Trinity and All Saints offers a BSc in Forensic Psychology, while postgraduate courses can be found at Sheffield Hallam University and the University of York. See the useful links section for more details.

Other specialised roles in this area include: 

Computer Forensics

Computer forensics is the recovery, authentification and analysis of electronic data through the application of computer investigation and analysis techniques in the interests of determining potential evidence.  One of the services supplied by North Yorkshire County Council trading standards is their Digital Evidence Recovery & Internet Crime Unit (DERIC).  Based in Northallerton, they work in partnership with law enforcement, public and private organisations to recover digital data.  The universities of Bradford, Leeds Metropolitan and Sheffield Hallam also offer courses relating to computer forensics.

Forensic Archaeology

Forensic archaeology includes interpreting archaeological finds using forensic science and the use of archaeological methods to investigate a current crime.  Most forensic archaeologists are employed by universities but other possible employers include large police forces and museums.  It is a highly competitive field and requires postgraduate qualifications which in this region are offered by the University of Bradford.

Forensic Speech Science

Analysis of speech, language and audio is another aspect of forensics.  A course specialising in this training is offered by the University of York and there is an independent forensic laboratory focusing on this type of forensics in the city too - see the links below.

Useful links:

General Forensic Information

Explanation of Forensic Science

Useful overview of what forensic scientist and related jobs entail.

The Forensic Science Service (FSS)

The FSS is the market leader in the supply of forensic science services to police forces in England and Wales, as well as being a source of training, consultancy and scientific support.

The Forensic Science Society

Founded in 1959, and based at Harrogate, North Yorkshire, The Forensic Science Society is an international professional body for scientists as well as other forensic professionals such as police officers and crime scene investigators.  They publish the journal Science & Justice, and a newsletter - Interfaces.  In addition to awarding qualifications and prizes, the Society arranges scientific conferences in the UK and abroad and is engaged in settings standards and accreditation in forensic sciences.

Medico-Legal Centre, Sheffield

Provided by the City Council, this unique institution combines Sheffield City Mortuary, South Yorkshire (West) Coroner's Office and court and the Forensic Pathology and Legal Medicine Department of the Forensic Science Service. 

LGC Forensics

An independent supplier of unique and innovative forensic science solutions with a base in Leeds.

General Forensics Courses

University of Bradford, Mainstream Forensic Courses

Mainstream Forensic courses at the University of Bradford are offered by the Department of Chemical and Forensic Sciences.  Their pages include a useful introduction to The Principles of Forensic Science.

University of Huddersfield, Forensic Courses

These are offered in the School of Applied Sciences.

University of Hull, Forensic Courses

Hull is one the country's most prestigious centres for the study of crime, criminality and criminal justice.  Courses are offered in the Department of Social Sciences and the Department of Chemistry.

Sheffield Hallam University General Forensics information

See details of their undergraduate and postgraduate Forensics courses here.

Forensic Psychology

Leeds Trinity and All Saints, BSc Forensic Psychology

Sheffield Hallam University, MSc Forensic Psychology

University of York, MSc in Applied Forensic Psychology:

This MSc has been developed in partnership with HM Prison Service Directorate of High Security Prisons.

Computer Forensics

DERIC

Digital Evidence Recovery & Internet Crime Unit.

University of Bradford, Forensic Computing MSc

The MSc course in the School of Informatics is run in collaboration with the training department of Forensic Science Services and the West Yorkshire Police.  It is suitable for graduates and/or professionals wishing to enhance their undergraduate studies in computing or engineering with advanced study of forensic science techniques. 

Leeds Metropolitan University, BSc (Hons) Computer Forensics

This undergraduate course studies evidence gathering, data recovery, data analysis and presentation along with computer forensic techniques and methodologies.

Sheffield Hallam University, FdSc Forensic and Security Technologies

This Foundation degree provides the basics of understanding of computer forensics.

Forensic Archaeology

University of Bradford MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Investigation

Offered by the Department of Archaeological Sciences.

University of Bradford MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Anthropology

Offered by the Department of Archaeological Sciences.

Forensic Speech Science

University of York, MSc Programme in Forensic Speech Science

In the Department of Language and Linguistic Science.

JP French Associates

Based in York, J P French Associates is the United Kingdom's longest established independent forensic laboratory specialising in the analysis of speech, audio and language.