Recognition Scheme Forensic Science Content Within Educational Programmes

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Dayna Beasley
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1 Recognition Scheme Forensic Science Content Within Eductionl Progrmmes

2 one Introduction The Chrtered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSoFS) hs been ccrediting the forensic content of full degree courses in forensic science since The Accredittion Scheme now covers both BSc nd MSc progrmmes. However, the Society cknowledges tht there re mny combined undergrdute courses (foundtion degree, diplom, BTEC certificte etc.) on offer where forensic science forms significnt but lesser proportion of the overll progrmme. The qulity of the forensic science delivered in such cses is still importnt nd so the Society hs developed Recognition Scheme to provide n endorsement of this content. two.1 Benefits of Recognition Recognition by the Chrtered Society of Forensic Sciences, s the professionl body for forensic prctitioners provides n ssurnce of qulity to prospective students nd employers. It lso provides students with reduced rtes t the Society s conferences qulifying for CPD (Continuing Professionl Development) points to build up individul professionl portfolios. Students on recognised courses my enrol s Student Members of the Society. two.2 Additionl benefits of Recognition include website mrketing since ll recognised courses nd their institutions re listed on the Chrtered Society of Forensic Sciences website. Recognised institutions lso hve ccess to online resources which my be used in teching/ eduction of students. Reduced rtes for job vcncy dvertisements in connection with teching posts relted to the forensic spects of the recognised course(s), re lso mde vilble. three Online Resources Online Resources Ech Institution is provided with unique log-in detils to ccess rnge of mteril free of chrge Free to ccredited institutions nd students on ccredited courses Presenttions from conferences nd events, including: Technicl presenttions on vriety of forensic science disciplines; Cse studies from conferences; Developments in the forensic profession; CPD developments; Interprettion, evlution nd reporting of evidence; Legl perspectives & updtes; Mteril relevnt to the forensic ren nd Higher Eduction provision (reports, rticles, comments, good prctice) Links to relevnt sites (eg Qulity Assurnce Agency benchmrk sttement for Forensic Science)

3 three.1 Website Mrketing opportunities The Chrtered Society of Forensic Sciences Website: Advertises the nmes of recognised Institutions nd their progrmmes. This provides vluble informtion for prospective students seeking good qulity courses in Forensic Science nd Crime Scene Investigtion. Provides web pge for ech Institution to dvertise forensic courses nd other relevnt mteril (such s testimonils from ex-students, informtion on grdute employment, specific reserch projects being undertken, links to publictions nd other developments relted to their institutions). Includes dedicted pge to dvertise job vcncies t reduced fee for recognised institutions. three.2 Link Persons Ech Institution hs the opportunity to nominte Link Person to: Mintin contct with the Chrtered Society of Forensic Sciences, with students nd Student Forensic Societies; Alert the Institution to ny Society developments of specific interest; four Student Member Benefits Benefits vilble A bi-monthly copy of Science & Justice nd qurterly copy of Interfces. Representtion of members to the Forensic Science Regultor, Government nd other professionl bodies. Access to publictions t reduced rtes: 20% discount on Wiley Books; 30% discount on Forensic / Legl Medicine books published by Elsevier; 50% discount on New Scientist publiction; Reduced rtes for online ccess of 5 Forensic Journls published by Elsevier. Online ccess to Science nd Justice (bck to volume 35, produced in 1995). Reduced rtes t ll Society conferences. Affilition with the Cliforni Assocition of Criminlists (CAC). Student Conference nd the Eduction, Employbility & Enggement (3E) Dy Networking, ccess to specilist expertise nd help with job pplictions. Provision of creer development pthwy within the CSoFS. For more informtion contct: +44 (0) emil: ccredittion@csofs.org

4 five Criteri for Recognition There re two min criteri, one relting to student contct hours for the forensic-relted content nd second relting to the nture of the forensic-relted content. five.1 Contct hours for forensic-relted course content Progrmme Student Contct Hours (Guidnce) Certificte 100 Diplom or Foundtion Degree 200 BSc Degree 300 five.2 The Forensic-relted course content should demonstrte A generl introduction of forensic science context, principles nd prctice (the investigtive process from crime scene to court); A mix of theoreticl focus nd prcticl ppliction in forensic science; An wreness of the crime scene nd evidentil mteril; An wreness of rnge of nlyticl techniques nd their ppliction in forensic science; An introduction to the interprettion, evlution, recording nd presenttion of evidence in Court. six Course delivery Providers re expected to deliver vriety of lerning opportunities including prcticl clsses s well s forml/informl teching with formtive nd summtive ssessment. Plese note tht this not limited to on cmpus courses nd cn include blended lerning nd online lerning which will lso be considered. Online progrmmes should demonstrte n equivlent number of lerning hours. Considertion my be given to prctitioners prior lerning s prt of the course design. seven Applictions for Recognition Course providers must supply the following: A copy of the curriculum with forensic elements highlighted nd the numbers of student lerning hours llocted ginst ech highlighted element; Exmples of course work such s essys, portfolios etc.; Exmples of ssessment including exmintion ppers nd model nswers nd rnge of scripts; Teching stff CVs; Previous student feedbck. eight Assessment Two Chrtered Society of Forensic Sciences Assessors will independently review the documenttion submitted nd will mke decision bout whether the evidence supports wrding Recognition Sttus. The Assessors my request further informtion if tht provided is not sufficient to llow judgement to be mde.

5 eight.1 Exmples of non-complince in the following res my led to the wrd of Recognition being withheld: Insufficient coverge of forensic science in the curriculum; Insufficient hours of delivery; Issues with the ssessment of students; Teching stff with insufficient forensic knowledge. nine Appels If the wrd of Recognition is withheld nd the Institution wishes to lodge n ppel they must do so in writing within fourteen dys of hving been informed of the decision. The grounds of the ppel must be specified nd sent to the Honorry Secretry of the Society. ten The Awrd of Recognition The wrd is vlid for period of three yers fter which renewl is required. eleven Cost of Recognition Costs will include the review of ll documenttion nd requests for further informtion if necessry, s well s discussion between the Assessors who will document the decision to wrd or not to wrd. Plese contct the Chrtered Society of Forensic Sciences for current fees. twelve Qulity Assurnce The Chrtered Society of Forensic Sciences reserves the right to udit Recognised Courses by clling on Institutions with the minimum of notice to tlk with students nd stff on the course. Should the course not comply with the originl specifiction s detiled in the originl ppliction, Recognition my be withdrwn. Good prctice would dictte tht links with potentil employers would be forged by institutions running Recognised Courses nd opportunities for trining plcements, work experience nd potentil employment would be considered. For more informtion contct: +44 (0) emil: ccredittion@csofs.org

6 contct: Any queries you my hve bout the Chrtered Society of Forensic Sciences Accredittion Scheme should be ddressed to: Chrtered Society of Forensic Sciences Clrke House 18A Mount Prde Hrrogte North Yorkshire HG1 1BX tel: +44 (0) fx: +44 (0) emil:

Programme Specification

Programme Specification Progrmme Specifiction MA / PG Dip / PG Cert in Interntionl Studies (Interntionl Reltions) MA / PG Dip / PG Cert in Interntionl Studies (Globl Politicl Economy) MA / PG Dip / PG Cert in Interntionl Studies