Forensic Investigations

Forensic investigations applies the methods of natural science and criminal justice to the systematic investigation of crime. It is a discipline that combines laboratory science with the legal and procedural requirements of the criminal justice system, requiring practitioners to collect, preserve and analyse evidence in ways that will stand up to scrutiny in court. Crime scene analysis, forensic chemistry, biology, digital forensics, evidence law and the psychology of witness testimony all fall within its scope.

At Coventry University, the three-year full-time degree develops your practical and theoretical skills across the principal disciplines of forensic investigation. You will study crime scene management, trace evidence analysis, forensic biology, forensic chemistry, digital evidence and the legal frameworks that govern evidence collection and admissibility. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad and a work placement, giving you the opportunity to develop professional experience in forensic, law enforcement or related environments, and to understand how forensic investigation is practised in different national and international contexts.

Coventry's well-equipped forensic science facilities allow you to develop practical skills in evidence collection and analysis in realistic simulated environments, and the degree is designed with careers in investigation and law enforcement in mind.

Graduates work in forensic science laboratories, police forensic services, private investigation, court liaison roles, the National Crime Agency, immigration services and border force, as well as in broader scientific and analytical roles where forensic techniques are applicable. Postgraduate study in forensic science, criminology or a specialist forensic discipline is a natural next step for those who want to develop specialist expertise.