Forensic Science MSc

Take the next step on your journey with the Forensic Science MSc course from Kingston University, accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, with a choice of two pathways: Analysis or Toxicology.Forensic Science (Analysis) examines the latest analytical, spectroscopic and separation techniques used in case studies.Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LCMS/ MS) will be used in your toxicology analysis. You will also use Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS), commonly used for environmental analysis, such as air pollution and water samples.You will learn to investigate and analyse drugs of abuse, fibres and firearms and conduct fire and explosive investigations.Forensic Science (Toxicology) offers in-depth training in pharmacology and analytical chemistry. You will study the biological effects and therapeutic uses of drugs, focusing on criminal and road traffic toxicology, and on drug testing in sport.You will be able to put your investigative skills into practice with our scene-of-crime house, located on site. This is a real semi-detached house with five rooms and a garden containing various types of mock crime scenes, including burglary, arson, assault and sexual crime. Students have to pick up evidence and transport it back to the labs for preservation and analysis. The crime scene house is also used extensively to teach Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA).In addition, you will have the option to do a placement year in industry to put your research skills into practice in the real world. You are responsible for finding and securing your own professional placement, which can be highly competitive but also incredibly rewarding.You will be taught by lecturers with wide experience as forensic scientists, expert witnesses and forensic research. Staff research includes the following themes:Analysis of trace materials from vehicles involved in road traffic accidentsFire investigationDrugs of abuse analysis (recreational and in sport)Lipstick contact analysis and Blood Pattern RecognitionForensic Archaeology and AnthropologyNear Infra-Red AnalysisIn addition, you will benefit from visiting guest speakers and industry visits.

The typical offer for this course is a 2:2 or above honours degree in Forensic Science, Chemistry or a relevant discipline, e.g. a physical or life sciences, not criminology. Applicants with alternative qualifications will also need appropriate experience in analysis.