Skills required by forensic science graduates. Dr Ruth Mewis, Dr Steve Hanson and Prof Tina Overton UK Physical Sciences Centre

Transcription

1 Skills required by forensic science graduates Dr Ruth Mewis, Dr Steve Hanson and Prof Tina Overton UK Physical Sciences Centre

2 Presentation content Graduate skills survey Skills required by forensic science graduates - results for all graduates Skills required by forensic science graduates undertaking research Research preparation - Comparisons with chemistry and physics Some points for discussion

3 Graduate skills surveys 2007 graduates - two and half years after graduation Forensic science, Chemistry, Physics England, Scotland and Wales - 7 to 9 universities for each subject Response rate about 35% (50% plus when telephone contact information was available)

4 Current main activity of graduates % Forensic science Chemistry Physics Employed Studying Other activity Unemployed

5 Involvement of subject in activities since graduation % Forensic science Chemistry Physics Very large extent Large extent To some extent Not at all

6 Examples of employment of forensic science graduates Forensic Examiner - Forensic Science Service QC Analyst - Norgine Ltd Analytical Scientist - GlaxoSmithKline Lab Technician - Murco Petroleum Ltd Science Technician - Lady Margaret School Science Teacher - Ivybridge Community College Phlebotomist - Leeds NHS Trust Police Constable - Greater Manchester Police MIT Support Office - Gwent Police Call Co-ordinator - Abbott Laboratories IT Consultant - Application Support

7 Content of a forensic science degrees Forensic science knowledge/skills Crime scene management Crime scene investigation Crime scene evidence interpretation Location and recovery of trace materials Forensic analysis techniques Instrumental methods of analysis Interpretation of analytical results Safe working procedures Quality assurance Planning of casework related experiments Understanding relevant legal procedures Generic skills Statistical techniques Computing skills Report writing skills Oral presentation skills Information retrieval skills Problem-solving skills Team-working skills Time management and organisational skills Managing own learning Based on the Forensic Science Society (2008) Accreditation, the QAA (2007) Benchmark statement for biosciences and the CIHE (2006) Student employability profiles.

8 Percentage of forensic science graduates selecting Useful/Very useful Crime scene management Crime scene investigation Crime scene evidence interpretation Location and recovery of trace materials Forensic analysis techniques Instrumental methods of analysis Interpretation of analytical results Safe working procedures Quality assurance Planning casework related experiments Understanding relevant legal procedures Statistical techniques Computing skills Report writing skills Oral presentation skills Information retrieval skills Problem-solving skills Team-working skills Time management/organisational skills Managing own learning %

9 Percentage of forensic science graduates selecting Well/Very well for development in degree Crime scene management Crime scene investigation Crime scene evidence interpretation Location and recovery of trace materials Forensic analysis techniques Instrumental methods of analysis Interpretation of analytical results Safe working procedures Quality assurance Planning casework related experiments Understanding relevant legal procedures Statistical techniques Computing skills Report writing skills Oral presentation skills Information retrieval skills Problem-solving skills Team-working skills Time management/organisational skills Managing own learning %

10 Percentage of forensic science graduates: Would have liked more opportunity to develop in degree Crime scene management Crime scene investigation Crime scene evidence interpretation Location and recovery of trace materials Forensic analysis techniques Instrumental methods of analysis Interpretation of analytical results Safe working procedures Quality assurance Planning casework related experiments Understanding relevant legal procedures Statistical techniques Computing skills Report writing skills Oral presentation skills Information retrieval skills Problem-solving skills Team-working skills Time management/organisational skills Managing own learning %

11 Survey open form answers from forensic science graduates More careers guidance would have been useful, particularly with regard to lack of forensic science jobs Work experience during degree is very valuable, but would have liked more assistance to obtain it Would have liked more hands-on laboratory experience

12 Skills required by forensic science graduates undertaking research Of the 147 graduates who responded to the survey, 4 were undertaking PhDs and 4 were in researchbased employment. These 8 graduates will now be considered separately, although care must of course be taken when considering such a small number.

13 Percentage of graduates selecting Useful/Very useful - All graduates and Research graduates Crime scene management Crime scene investigation Crime scene evidence interpretation Location and recovery of trace materials Forensic analysis techniques Instrumental methods of analysis Interpretation of analytical results Safe working procedures Quality assurance Planning casework related experiments Understanding relevant legal procedures Statistical techniques Computing skills Report writing skills Oral presentation skills Information retrieval skills Problem-solving skills Team-working skills Time management/organisational skills Managing own learning % All graduates Research graduates

14 Would have liked more opportunity to develop in degree - All graduates and Research graduates Crime scene management Crime scene investigation Crime scene evidence interpretation Location and recovery of trace materials Forensic analysis techniques Instrumental methods of analysis Interpretation of analytical results Safe working procedures Quality assurance Planning casework related experiments Understanding relevant legal procedures Statistical techniques Computing skills Report writing skills Oral presentation skills Information retrieval skills Problem-solving skills Team-working skills Time management/organisational skills Managing own learning % All graduates Research graduates

15 Research preparation - Comparisons with chemistry and physics Graduates in surveys undertaking PhDs Forensic science 3%, Chemistry 20%, Physics 22% Project work Institute of Physics: BSc degrees must incorporate either a project or dissertation in the final year. Integrated Masters degrees must incorporate extensive project work. Royal Society of Chemistry: The RSC regards project work as an important element in the education of professional chemists in since it facilitates the development of high level degree skills. Integrated Masters degree graduates in survey sample Chemistry 41%, Physics 35%

16 Some points for discussion How could forensic science degrees be changed to support students moving into research? Should there be more project work? Should this be for all or just some students? Should integrated Masters courses be encouraged? Could research-based work placements be developed?

17 Acknowledgements We wish to thank the Forensic Science Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Physics for supporting this project. Reference HEA UK Physical Sciences Centre (2010). Skills required by new forensic science graduates and their development in degree programmes. < pdf> Contacts