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Combining theory with evidence.

Our Criminology and Forensic Science degree is taught by research-active criminologists and experienced former forensic practitioners and will give you an insight into the study of crime and its investigation within the criminal justice system. 

The course has two distinct themes – the criminological theme covers the theory of crime, how society is policed and the issues and alternatives to custodial sentencing. The forensic science theme addresses the scientific theory and practical techniques that are used in crime scene examination and the laboratory to allow you to locate, examine and interpret evidential material for the courtroom. In doing so you will be provided with significant hands-on laboratory experience in, for example, analytical chemistry, blood pattern interpretation, DNA analysis and fibre examination.  You will have the opportunity to undertake a one-year placement within the scientific field after the second year of study.

Supporting your future.

This degree is designed to support and inspire you to high achievement and professionalism in your future career. Building on fundamental knowledge and laboratory skills, you will develop into an independent graduate who can tackle complex problems with confidence, skill and maturity.

Why choose Northumbria to study Criminology and Forensic Science BSc (Hons)?

  • Forensic Science at Northumbria is ranked 3rd in the UK by the Complete University Guide for 2025.

  • Forensic Science at Northumbria is ranked top 15 in the UK for Teaching Quality & Student Experience (Guardian University League Table, 2024).

  • The course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences logo

 

What is Criminology and Forensic Science?

Criminology and forensic science are two distinct but interconnected fields that focus on different aspects of crime and criminal justice. Criminology is the social scientific study of crime and harm. It is principally concerned with understanding their causes, but also how society reacts and responds to crime and harm and how these change over time. It is a multifaceted field of study and some of the area’s students might engage with include criminal justice, criminological theory, extreme forms of violence, and mentally disordered offenders to name but a few. Forensic science is the application of science to law and involves using science to investigate crime and collect, preserve, examine, interpret the findings and present evidence.

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See other similar courses you may be interested in: Criminology

Course Information

UCAS Code
MF94

Level of Study
Undergraduate

Mode of Study
3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department
Applied Sciences

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2025

Fees
Fee Information

Modules
Module Information

Discover NU World / A virtual journey through everything Northumbria has to offer.

Explore our immersive 360 tours, informative subject videos, inspirational student profiles, ground-breaking research, and a range of life at university videos and articles.

Department / Applied Sciences

The Department of Applied Sciences has an exciting and extensive portfolio of subjects including biology, biomedical sciences, chemistry, forensic science, food and nutritional sciences.

Forensic Science / Student Profiles

The main appeal about studying at Northumbria University was that I had the chance to not only study at a University that had a great reputation, but also the chance to study in an excellent city with a lot to offer.

Meet Sarah, a Forensic Science BSc (Hons) student at Northumbria University, Newcastle. Hear her experience of the course, the opportunities it has presented to her, her experience of Newcastle, and aspirations after graduation.

Delve Deeper / Discover more about life at Northumbria

Book an Open Day / Experience Criminology and Forensic Science BSc (Hons)

Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Criminology and Forensic Science. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.

Entry Requirements 2025/26

Standard Entry

112 UCAS Tariff points

From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo

Subject Requirements:

There are no specific subject requirements for this course.

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths, English Language and a Science at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.

Additional Requirements:

There are no additional requirements for this course.

International Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.

If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*). 

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Fees and Funding 2025/26 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1: TBC

* The maximum tuition fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by government. Tuition fees may increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, these are subject to government regulations and in line with inflation.


International Fee in Year 1: £20,950


Please see the main Funding Pages for 25/26 scholarship information.

 


ADDITIONAL COSTS

Laboratory equipment such as spatula, lab book, marker pens and a scientific calculator are required and should cost no more than £25. You may be required to print some documents this should be no more than £10 per academic year. Please note that CR6003 (Crime and Society in Newcastle and Amsterdam) has a limited number of places and can accommodate a maximum of 50 students. The fieldtrip to Amsterdam is an integral part of this module and does incur an additional financial cost of approximately £850 (this cost may vary). Every student will be required to pay a £100 non-refundable deposit later in semester two of the second year, and then in semester one of the third year every student going will have to pay the remainder of the costs. Accordingly, please take special consideration when deciding whether to select this module.

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

How to Apply

Please use the Apply Now button at the top of this page to submit your application.

Certain applications may need to be submitted via an external application system, such as UCAS, Lawcabs or DfE Apply.

The Apply Now button will redirect you to the relevant website if this is the case.

You can find further application advice, such as what to include in your application and what happens after you apply, on our Admissions Hub Admissions | Northumbria University



Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

AP0400 -

Practical Skills in Forensic Science (Core,20 Credits)

On this module you will cover the basic scientific knowledge and practical skills required of a scientist. Topics will include microscopy, required mathematical calcllations, basic laboratory skills such as use of Gilson pipettes, practices of documenting forensic examinations, scientific report writing and referencing and presentation skills.

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AP0401 -

Process and Practices in Forensic Science (Core,20 Credits)

This module will provide you with an understanding of the key principles, practice and processes of forensic science. You will gain an understanding of the role of a forensic scientist and appreciate the types of evidence that they examine as well as other key stakeholders. You will understand the importance of the continuity and integrity of exhibits from scene to court, understand the deposition and transfer and persistence of materials and you will develop your practical skills with search and recovery techniques. You will also develop observational and note taking skills aligned to a forensic examination. Unseen examination and a practical assessment will assess your knowledge, understanding and skills associated with the key principles of forensic science.

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AP0418 -

Fundamentals of Biology and Chemistry (Core,20 Credits)

On this module you will learn the fundamental principles of biology and chemistry required to provide the necessary background level of understanding for progression onto second year of study when the basic science is applied to forensic specialisms such as toxicology, trace evidence analysis and DNA profiling. Topics covered on this module will include:
• Anatomy and physiology
• Cell biology
• Genetics
• Fundamental chemistry principles
• Chemical extraction and sample preparation techniques
• Analytical techniques

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CR4001 -

Explaining Crime (Core,20 Credits)

In this module you will be introduced definitions of crime, a selection of crime types and to a wide range of explanationatory theories that been developed to explain why people commit crime and how we night effectively prevent and respond to criminality. Weekly lectures and seminars will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to introduce you to theories and to understand their strengths, limitations and impacts in relation to how we understand crime and the criminal justice system. We will explore a variety of theories associated with rational actor, pre-destined actor and victimised actor explanations for crime. We will also explore explanations for green crime, integrated explanations that combine ideas from different perspectives, and explore explanations that have attempted to explain why different groups in society commit crime. We will explore the differences, commonalities and dynamic nature of these various explanations for crime , explore evidence to understand the explanatory power of the different explanatory theories and explore the policy and practice implications of the different theoretical explanations we cover... The module will also introduce to students to crime victimisation and operation of the criminal justice system.

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CR4013 -

Crime Myths and Realities (Core,20 Credits)

Whilst learning about a number of significant criminal case studies from the UK, you will learn to develop critical thinking skills relating to crime and the way crime is researched, reported and represented. In the course of the module, you will also learn some of the vital skills necessary to be a criminologist, relating to critical thinking, academic referencing, researching crime and society, and interpreting crime statistics.

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CR4015 -

The Criminal Justice System 1 (Core,20 Credits)

The Criminal Justice System (CJS) comprises those institutions and agencies that are collectively responsible for managing a state’s response to crime and disorder. This module introduces the key agencies of the CJS in England and Wales. The aim is to understand the historical development of the CJS, what the agencies of the CJS do, and the constraints that they operate under. The focus will be on the history, role and function of the police service, prosecutors, courts, prisons, parole, youth justice, and the probation service. For example, students will learn about the early models of policing in Britain and its former colonies and the historical developments that led to the birth of the modern police force, before focusing on the role and function of the police and how the police role is perceived in the media and in popular imagination. Similarly, students will explore the role and emergence of the prison estate in England and Wales, considering how prisons have been designed and managed over time, the impact on prisoners and offenders of policy changes over the last 50 years, and how news about the state of prisons is communicated to the ‘outside’ world. Taking us up to the present day, the module will provide students with a firm basis to go on to explore the modern day CJS in global and comparative context in the follow-up Level 5 module The Criminal Justice System 2.

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JE5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Applied Sciences (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

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AP0503 -

Body Fluids and Blood Pattern Analysis (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn the theory, practical application and laboratory skill to locate and identify a range of body fluids including blood, semen and saliva. You will cover the identification, documentation, analysis and subsequent interpretation of these body fluids within the context of a forensic investigation. You will gain an appreciation of the complexity of differing case types, such as murder or burglary, and understand that each requires a different forensic strategy that is bespoke to the individual case, depending on what exhibits are available for examination and what needs to be established. Your knowledge and experience will be further developed to understand the dynamics that underpin blood pattern analysis and how they can be interpreted to provide information on the actions that have taken place and an individuals participation or otherwise. You will review blood patterns from a crime scene right through to the consideration of clothing and weapons. By the end of this module you will have an overall comprehension on the role of a forensic biologist and what value they bring to the forensic aspect of crime investigation.

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AP0504 -

Drugs and Toxicology (Core,20 Credits)

The module is divided into themes relating to forensic toxicology and includes:
• evaluation and application of analytical toxicology and analysis of drugs of abuse to forensic science
• laboratory blood drug analysis - extraction and detection
• critical evaluation of current issues in forensic science, for example, roadside drug testing
• interpretation of results

Throughout the module, the focus is orientated to existing, current and future research practices and draws on research experience from the module team i.e. post-mortem drug redistribution, tolerance, genotoxicity, analysis and interpretation . The module team may be expanded to include guest speakers as appropriate.

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AP0551 -

DNA Profiling (Core,20 Credits)

On this module you will build on your existing knowledge of biology and genetics by introducing the specific laboratory methods and DNA markers used in contemporary forensic genetics. You will gain a thorough knowledge of the fundamental science underpinning key stages in the laboratory to facilitate effective communication of the methodology to the lay person via a written statement. During the course of the module you will be encouraged to evaluate the range of methods and genetic markers available in the context of forensic sample types, which may be of poor quality and low quantity. Key topics covered are listed below:

• DNA extraction from a variety of sample types
• DNA quantity and quality analysis
• PCR based analysis of forensic DNA markers
• Interpretation of forensic DNA profile data in the context of a case
• Statistical assessment of the strength of DNA evidence

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CR5001 -

Concepts, Perspectives and Theories in Criminology (Core,20 Credits)

Why do people commit crime? Why does crime increase or decrease? What should be considered a crime and how can we prevent it? You will explore these and other questions through an evaluation and assessment of the different disciplinary contributions to the study of crime and its control. The dominant theoretical orientation often presented as being most closely aligned with criminology is that of sociology, but any cursory assessment of the history, development and contemporary nature of the study of crime and control will show that it has been significantly influenced by psychology, psychiatry, economics, political science, law and biology. Indeed, while the historical foundations of criminology lie in biological positivism, and much of the twentieth century saw a dominance of what can be called a psychological and sociological positivism, more recently the discipline of criminology can be said to be much more integrative comprising a variety of theoretical perspectives and approaches drawn from the social, life and physical sciences. The module locates criminological concepts, perspectives and theories within this integrative framework as well as within their historical and political contexts. The emphasis is on understanding explanations of crime, of harm and their control through the application of different conceptual and theoretical approaches to specific forms of criminality, victimisation and injustice.

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CR5007 -

Sex Work: Theory, Practice, Regulation (Optional,20 Credits)

Ever wondered how a brothel operates? Where media representations and opinions about the sex industry originate from? If people who sell sex enjoy it, or if they are being exploited? If legal frameworks and policing affect how, when and where people sell sex? By engaging with cutting edge research, you will explore these issues and more in Sex Work: Theory, Practice, Regulation.

The module is split into three parts:

In Part 1 you will learn about the diversity of the sex industry and competing theoretical perspectives exploring sex work. We will explore the arguments of academics and scholars, as well as the lived experiences of sex workers.

Part 2 concentrates on the practice of selling sex and will explore the empirical, theoretical and sex worker written literature to answer questions like - what strategies do sex workers and clients use to manage the sale and purchase of sex, why do people sell sex, why do people buy sex, and who are the clients?

Part 3 explores key regulatory issues including: violence and sexual safety, policing and national/international regulatory frameworks.

Workshops will explore and include case studies such as Sweden - where the purchase of sex is criminalised but not the sale, and New Zealand where sex work is decriminalised. You will use your emerging criminological knowledge to explore the theoretical underpinnings of these frameworks, as well as the impact they have on the practice, health and safety of sex workers.

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CR5020 -

The Criminal Justice System 2 (Core,20 Credits)

Revisiting but developing on the introductory module The Criminal Justice System 1, this module offers students a view of the modern day criminal justice system, comprised as it now of both state agencies (such as the police, courts, prisons and the probation service) and non-state agencies (such as voluntary/third sector and private/social enterprise agencies). Students will appreciate how the criminal justice system currently works with a range of offenders and victims, both at the statutory and non-statutory level. As well as looking at the system in England and Wales, other comparative examples will be included to widen students’ knowledge of how justice systems operate in the global context. For example, students will be introduced to some key contemporary issues in policing, focusing on recent trends in pluralisation, private security, and the increase in surveillance technology, as well as police governance and accountability in the era of Black Lives Matter. Similarly, further in-depth examination of prisons and punishment will focus not only on the modern prison in England and Wales but also on policies and practices in Europe (including Nordic exceptionalism), the ‘Americanisation’ of the penal system, the role of privatisation on prisons and community sentences, and the effectiveness of retributive vs restorative justice practices and policies. The module will also engage practitioners working in the criminal justice field where possible as a way of extending students’ knowledge and developing concrete ideas for pathways into employment and/or ongoing study.

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CR5022 -

Drugs, Crime and Society (Optional,20 Credits)

How are drugs produced, traded and distributed? How are patterns of drug use, misuse and dependency changing? How is this all shaped by patterns of public, private and criminal power? This module provides some of the answers by equipping students with the interdisciplinary knowledge, understanding and critical skills to analyse drug use and drug markets in the twenty-first century.

The first half of the module introduces students to key themes and debates in drug studies, with an emphasis on the relationship between drugs, crime, society, culture, technology and political economy. We will cover cross-disciplinary theoretical, conceptual and policy debates, taking the study of drugs beyond mainstream approaches. We will explore the impact of drug use and drug markets on contemporary society, including challenges relating to power, inequality, globalisation and new technologies.

The second half of the module covers several contemporary drug issues. It offers in-depth examinations of drug use, supply, trafficking and manufacture on global and local levels, as well as responses from policy makers and practitioners involved in drug enforcement, regulation and harm reduction. The module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to acquire expert knowledge of contemporary drug issues by drawing upon cutting-edge research. Content will change annually to provide up-to-date research-led teaching and learning. Current areas of expertise include: technology and online drug dealing; drug cultures and identities; health inequalities and harm reduction; narcopolitics and narcostates; and global and local markets in cocaine, heroin, cannabis, pharmaceutical drugs, image- and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs), and novel psychoactive substances (NPS).

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AP0536 -

Study Abroad (Optional,120 Credits)

This study abroad module is designed for standard full-time undergraduate programmes to provide you with the option to take an additional one year study abroad within your programme.

Study abroad provides an opportunity to develop personal skills in a different learning environment with a partner university. The module does not affect the classification of your degree, but if successfully passed the study abroad year is recognised in your transcript and degree certificate. There is a competitive selection process for placements and places cannot be guaranteed.

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AP0550 -

Academic Exchange Semester Study Abroad (Optional,60 Credits)

The Study Abroad module is a semester based 60 credit module. You will undertake a semester abroad at a partner university equivalent to 60 UK credits on a negotiated programme of study related to the award subject. This gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning. The course of study abroad will be constructed to meet the learning outcomes for the programme for the semester in question, dependent on suitable modules from the partner and will be recorded for an individual student on the learning agreement signed by the host University, the student, and the home University (Northumbria). The module will be assessed by conversion of graded marks from the host University.

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AP0552 -

Industrial Placement Year (Optional,120 Credits)

The Industrial Placement Year module is a full year 120 credit module which is available on degree courses which include a Industrial Placement year which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6. You will undertake a year of Industrial Placement at an approved placement partner. This broadens your overall experience of learning by embedding your current and future learning of your discipline within a regimented and target-oriented work environment. The course of Industrial Placement will be dependent on the partner and will be recorded for an individual student on the learning agreement signed by the host, the student, and the home University (Northumbria). Your Industrial Placement year will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. It will not count towards your final degree classification but, if you pass, it is recognised in your transcript as a 120 credit Industrial Placement Module and on your degree certificate in the format – “Degree title (with Industrial Placement Year)”.

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AP0601 -

Complex Casework (Core,20 Credits)

This module will provide you with the practical attributes of forensic science from the onset of a case through to the presentation of evidence in a court of law. It expands upon core forensic science disciplines and processes taught in previous years and focuses upon the strategy setting, examination and the delivery of interpretation and evaluation of forensic evidence within the context of complex case situations. You will study the importance of working together with key stakeholders (police, forensic pathologists, crime scene managers) in determining forensic strategy and prioritisation of key exhibits prior to commencing their practical examination. Whilst the emphasis on this module will be practical based with you undertaking the examination of forensic exhibits, it will be underpinned through taught lectures and seminars.

By the end of this module you will have gained an understanding of the difficulties of complex casework and conveying complex scientific information to the lay person.

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AP0603 -

Advanced Forensic Investigation (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn how advances in forensic interpretation can be applied to support the Criminal Justice System in decision making. You will learn how to use the Casework Assessment and Interpretation (CAI) model in the evaluative stage of crime investigation, as well as the use of the Bayesian approach to evaluate the strength of evidence and the conclusions/limitations that can be drawn from the analytical results. Embedded throughout the module will be case studies from violent, sexual and major crime used to supplement and underpin your learning.

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AP0629 -

Interdisciplinary Criminology and Forensic Science Dissertation (Core,40 Credits)

This module will provide you with an opportunity to independently review and evaluate a research question that encompasses both the criminological and scientific disciplines. You will independently examine the historical and contemporary theories that are currently applied to explaining crime from the perspective of the victim, offender and the environment. You will evaluate the effectiveness of the subsequent prevention strategies and appraise how these are complemented by the scientific and innovative technological approaches to detect crime. In doing so, you will adopt a critical and analytical approach to support innovative solutions for regulating, policing, preventing and detecting crime.

With the support of a dissertation supervisor within each discipline, you will seek to develop and answer a research question using research enquiry and tutored based techniques, for example collecting your own data, using existing data sets or by engaging in an analysis of the research literature. You will apply your information retrieval and critical appraisal skills with discussion of your results culminating in the production of a written dissertation that appraises criminological theory and scientific practice.

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CR6002 -

Contemporary Policing and Security (Optional,20 Credits)

From being a relatively marginal political issue, modern policing and security has risen rapidly up the social and political agendas of western societies. As inequalities have increased, so the actual and perceived risks of crime and other social ills have grown rapidly for all sections of society: the management of crime has become a central concern.

In this module you will develop your critical understanding, analysis and interpretation of the key themes, theories, issues and political debates concerning the development and contemporary nature of modern policing and the delivery of security in England and Wales. Where appropriate, you will be directed to comparative material from other countries and our discussions will draw upon these comparative dimensions to contemporary policing and security.

Given the ‘contemporary’ nature of this module and the continually evolving nature of policing and security, the content of this module is revised each year. Examples of topics covered in previous years include:
• The changing role and function of the police
• Policing and Mental Health
• Terrorism and Insecurity
• Technology, Surveillance and Society
• Policing Globalisation
• Victimology and Policing
• Conducting Research in Policing and Security Settings

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CR6003 -

Crime and Society in Newcastle and Amsterdam (Optional,20 Credits)

On this cutting-edge module you will explore two important cities – Newcastle and Amsterdam – to compare and contrast key criminological and sociological issues in both places. The module offers important insights into the city in which you study (Newcastle) and, in Amsterdam, a city that features regularly in the media and academic literature – a place often portrayed as innovative, liberal, sometimes controversial and somewhere other cities could learn lessons from . On the module you will consider several important issues such as the way in which both cities have developed and evolved; the relations between both cities; the way crime and society operates in both cities; and how crime and other social issues are governed. A key part of the module is the Amsterdam fieldtrip where you visit Amsterdam, be taken on tours of the city, and conduct small group fieldwork on an important issue in the city (for instance, sex work, drugs, policing, the night-time economy, and tourism), and consider whether Newcastle should emulate ‘Amsterdam-style’ policies.

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CR6004 -

Crimes of the Powerful (Optional,20 Credits)

Crime just doesn’t happen on the streets. It takes place in homes, in offices, in natural habitats – places hidden from view and scrutiny. Often it is kept hidden because of powerful actors. You will examine a range of criminal and harmful behaviours, as well as deviant and anti-social activities under the organising theme ‘crimes of the powerful’. The module situates and understands crimes and victimisations within a framework where questions of structural relationships and personal power in society are key to why some crime is visible and some is not. You will be expected to challenge orthodox representations of crime and demonstrate an intellectual openness to new ideas, whilst adopting a critical and analytical approach to the control, regulation and prevention of invisible and hidden crimes and/or victimisations.

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CR6007 -

Mentally Disordered Offenders (Optional,20 Credits)

Mentally disordered offenders: “mad, bad and dangerous to know”? During this module you will begin to explore who ‘they’ are, what ‘they’ do, why we are afraid of ‘them’, how we identify ‘them’ and what we are doing about ‘them’.
You will learn about and critique mentally disordered offender theory and practice, including: developing a critical understanding to the concept of ‘mentally disordered offenders’; the links between mental disorder and crime; the links between the mass media and the public in the development of the concept of the ‘dangerous offender’; the development of Forensic Psychiatry and its impact on the concept of ‘risk’ and ‘risk assessment’; and a critical assessment of the impact of policy developments on approaches to the care and/or control of mentally disordered offenders.

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CR6018 -

Crime, Animals and the Environment (Optional,20 Credits)

Is there a relationship between violence against animals and violence against humans? Why is it okay to kill certain animals, but a crime to kill others? How do large corporations get away with polluting the planet? How can we address crimes against animals and the environment? These are all questions we will attempt to address on this module. As part of your studies you will learn about the emerging and competing perspectives and frameworks regarding the neglected topic of crimes and harms against animals and the environment. In a module offered at very few universities, you are introduced to the philosophies and perspectives of Green Criminology and Critical Animal Studies. You will develop skills that enable you to critically analyse notions of crime and harm, and social and ecological justice in relation to animal abuse, deforestation, wildlife, pollution and many other areas that pertain to green and environmental crime and victimisation. While honing verbal and written skills, this module will give you the working knowledge to discuss the type, scope, and impacts of green and animal-related crimes and harms and how this is different from street and ‘traditional’ volume crimes. This module provides a fresh new area of criminological scholarship which you will contribute to in discussion and debate with the module tutors and fellow students - examining crime from new and cutting edge perspectives.

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CR6020 -

Understanding Extreme Violence (Optional,20 Credits)

This module looks at three distinct but inter-related aspects of violence: structural violence, symbolic violence and subjective violence. Analyses of structural violence looks principally at the violence of systems. It is the unseen violence that occurs every day; the violence that needs to take place so that contemporary western consumer societies to continue onwards in their present form. Analyses of symbolic violence focus on the violence of language and symbols. Bourdieu’s account of symbolic violence, for example, addresses the ability of the powerful to deny the working class a language that might allow them to understand their true value and social position. Analyses of subjective violence focus on forms of violence committed by clearly identifiable ‘subjects’, or individuals. In this module, we will use psychoanalytic theory to identify the fundamental forces that drive the violent individual to inflict harm upon others.

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CR6021 -

Life after Crime (Optional,20 Credits)

Do children who break the law always turn into adult offenders? What might help someone change their behaviour? Is it always the impact of a criminal justice intervention that makes someone desist from crime? This module will look at all of these questions.

The first part will track the nature and complexity of criminal careers. It will demonstrate different ways in which offenders come to be engaged in crime and the extent to which starting early is a predictor of a criminal career. After considering the different ways in which criminal careers are sustained and developed, you will look at the interventions criminal justice and aligned organisations put in place to change offenders’ behaviour.

We will investigate forms of restorative justice and reparation, and question whether, and how, they might fit within different criminal justice systems around the world. For example, what might the role of ‘circles of support’ be in a risk adverse society? The module will also look at whether some activities in prison might have a role in desistance after release. For example, are creative, artistic, spiritual and sporting activities a hook for changing offending behaviour after release?

Throughout the module we will consider UK and international criminal justice practice, and question the impact of social, political and cultural contexts of restoration, rehabilitation and desistance. You will be encouraged to explore all of these elements from cultural and critical criminological perspectives.

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CR6025 -

Crime, Technology and Surveillance (Optional,20 Credits)

This course aims to enhance the students’ understanding of surveillance, esp. the role of technology here, and their link to crime and social order. What is the meaning of technology and of surveillance in society? How do we conceptualise contemporary surveillance strategies? How have technologies been developed and used for such purposes? The students will reflect on such questions and engage with critical discussions from the fields of surveillance studies, science and technology studies, and social studies of forensic science.

Throughout this module, the students will be looking at different issues that relate to surveillance and crime control practices in an age of uncertainty; namely how contemporary surveillance strategies and technologies shape notions of identity and lead to (new/old) forms of inclusion and exclusion. By adopting a critical position, we will explore the impacts of a range of technologies in Criminal Justice settings and in societies more widely.

For instance, with the development of emerging technologies and crime control practices in a global world, we must critically engage with the notion of global surveillance and the various forms of technological innovation (for example, the process of border control and the use of biometrics). The module will also consider the wider significance of analysing the impacts of surveillance not only on specific criminal justice related-contexts (such as policing) but also on our everyday lives. This will help us to better understand the social, legal and ethical issues that arise with the use of surveillance technologies in different settings.

Module content will be updated annually in order to provide up-to-date research-led teaching and learning.

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CR6026 -

Social Harm (Optional,20 Credits)

Since the late 1990s, the study of legal-but-harmful social, cultural, environmental, and political-economic practices has exploded. Some of the most significant problems facing contemporary society not only lie beyond the present scope of legal prohibition but are thoroughly normalized and integral to the functioning of liberal-capitalist political economy. Our current period in history is one beset by a range of interconnected and overlapping crises. Climate change; crises in housing, employment, and homelessness; resource wars; a libertarian financial elite generating widening gaps of inequality both globally and domestically; global pandemics; and a socially corrosive consumer culture generating harsh interpersonal competition, indebtedness and significant mental health issues. These issues are, for the most part, not criminal or caused by criminal behaviour. They are normalised social harms that are, in various ways, embedded within and caused by our current political-economic, cultural, and ecological way of life. Consequently, social harm is one of the most potentially potent and transformative concepts currently available to the social sciences.

The first part of the module will equip students with a detailed understanding of the criminological and philosophical underpinnings of the concept of social harm, how it can be deployed, and how it is rapidly expanding the boundaries of criminology as a discipline. The second part of the module will then focus on various specific areas of social harm, attempting to understand what is causing them, and considering on what grounds we can legitimately call these things harmful. Harms such as climate change; housing crises; unemployment and precarious hyper-exploitative employment; food poverty; indebtedness; mass depression and anxiety; and a self-destructive and socially corrosive consumer culture. In the third part of the module, we will consider what political, economic, and cultural changes are required to address these issues, and what tools are already available to us. Overall, the module endeavours to equip students with a better understand of the world they live in and some of the frustrations and harms that blight our collective lives.

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CR6028 -

Intimate Partner Violence (Optional,20 Credits)

The module provides a critical analysis of contemporary debates about intimate partner violence. Its focus is primarily the UK, with some consideration of the situation in the USA and other countries. On the module, we will draw primarily on criminological, sociological, and feminist analyses, with some consideration of other disciplines (such as psychology). We will examine theoretical explanations of intimate partner violence in the social sciences, the policy and legal responses to it, and the social movement that has developed in response to it. You will gain an understanding of the causes and consequences of intimate partner violence, and the policy and activist responses to it, including relevant methodological issues.

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Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

AP0400 -

Practical Skills in Forensic Science (Core,20 Credits)

On this module you will cover the basic scientific knowledge and practical skills required of a scientist. Topics will include microscopy, required mathematical calcllations, basic laboratory skills such as use of Gilson pipettes, practices of documenting forensic examinations, scientific report writing and referencing and presentation skills.

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AP0401 -

Process and Practices in Forensic Science (Core,20 Credits)

This module will provide you with an understanding of the key principles, practice and processes of forensic science. You will gain an understanding of the role of a forensic scientist and appreciate the types of evidence that they examine as well as other key stakeholders. You will understand the importance of the continuity and integrity of exhibits from scene to court, understand the deposition and transfer and persistence of materials and you will develop your practical skills with search and recovery techniques. You will also develop observational and note taking skills aligned to a forensic examination. Unseen examination and a practical assessment will assess your knowledge, understanding and skills associated with the key principles of forensic science.

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AP0418 -

Fundamentals of Biology and Chemistry (Core,20 Credits)

On this module you will learn the fundamental principles of biology and chemistry required to provide the necessary background level of understanding for progression onto second year of study when the basic science is applied to forensic specialisms such as toxicology, trace evidence analysis and DNA profiling. Topics covered on this module will include:
• Anatomy and physiology
• Cell biology
• Genetics
• Fundamental chemistry principles
• Chemical extraction and sample preparation techniques
• Analytical techniques

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CR4001 -

Explaining Crime (Core,20 Credits)

In this module you will be introduced definitions of crime, a selection of crime types and to a wide range of explanationatory theories that been developed to explain why people commit crime and how we night effectively prevent and respond to criminality. Weekly lectures and seminars will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to introduce you to theories and to understand their strengths, limitations and impacts in relation to how we understand crime and the criminal justice system. We will explore a variety of theories associated with rational actor, pre-destined actor and victimised actor explanations for crime. We will also explore explanations for green crime, integrated explanations that combine ideas from different perspectives, and explore explanations that have attempted to explain why different groups in society commit crime. We will explore the differences, commonalities and dynamic nature of these various explanations for crime , explore evidence to understand the explanatory power of the different explanatory theories and explore the policy and practice implications of the different theoretical explanations we cover... The module will also introduce to students to crime victimisation and operation of the criminal justice system.

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CR4013 -

Crime Myths and Realities (Core,20 Credits)

Whilst learning about a number of significant criminal case studies from the UK, you will learn to develop critical thinking skills relating to crime and the way crime is researched, reported and represented. In the course of the module, you will also learn some of the vital skills necessary to be a criminologist, relating to critical thinking, academic referencing, researching crime and society, and interpreting crime statistics.

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CR4015 -

The Criminal Justice System 1 (Core,20 Credits)

The Criminal Justice System (CJS) comprises those institutions and agencies that are collectively responsible for managing a state’s response to crime and disorder. This module introduces the key agencies of the CJS in England and Wales. The aim is to understand the historical development of the CJS, what the agencies of the CJS do, and the constraints that they operate under. The focus will be on the history, role and function of the police service, prosecutors, courts, prisons, parole, youth justice, and the probation service. For example, students will learn about the early models of policing in Britain and its former colonies and the historical developments that led to the birth of the modern police force, before focusing on the role and function of the police and how the police role is perceived in the media and in popular imagination. Similarly, students will explore the role and emergence of the prison estate in England and Wales, considering how prisons have been designed and managed over time, the impact on prisoners and offenders of policy changes over the last 50 years, and how news about the state of prisons is communicated to the ‘outside’ world. Taking us up to the present day, the module will provide students with a firm basis to go on to explore the modern day CJS in global and comparative context in the follow-up Level 5 module The Criminal Justice System 2.

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JE5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Applied Sciences (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

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AP0503 -

Body Fluids and Blood Pattern Analysis (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn the theory, practical application and laboratory skill to locate and identify a range of body fluids including blood, semen and saliva. You will cover the identification, documentation, analysis and subsequent interpretation of these body fluids within the context of a forensic investigation. You will gain an appreciation of the complexity of differing case types, such as murder or burglary, and understand that each requires a different forensic strategy that is bespoke to the individual case, depending on what exhibits are available for examination and what needs to be established. Your knowledge and experience will be further developed to understand the dynamics that underpin blood pattern analysis and how they can be interpreted to provide information on the actions that have taken place and an individuals participation or otherwise. You will review blood patterns from a crime scene right through to the consideration of clothing and weapons. By the end of this module you will have an overall comprehension on the role of a forensic biologist and what value they bring to the forensic aspect of crime investigation.

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AP0504 -

Drugs and Toxicology (Core,20 Credits)

The module is divided into themes relating to forensic toxicology and includes:
• evaluation and application of analytical toxicology and analysis of drugs of abuse to forensic science
• laboratory blood drug analysis - extraction and detection
• critical evaluation of current issues in forensic science, for example, roadside drug testing
• interpretation of results

Throughout the module, the focus is orientated to existing, current and future research practices and draws on research experience from the module team i.e. post-mortem drug redistribution, tolerance, genotoxicity, analysis and interpretation . The module team may be expanded to include guest speakers as appropriate.

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AP0551 -

DNA Profiling (Core,20 Credits)

On this module you will build on your existing knowledge of biology and genetics by introducing the specific laboratory methods and DNA markers used in contemporary forensic genetics. You will gain a thorough knowledge of the fundamental science underpinning key stages in the laboratory to facilitate effective communication of the methodology to the lay person via a written statement. During the course of the module you will be encouraged to evaluate the range of methods and genetic markers available in the context of forensic sample types, which may be of poor quality and low quantity. Key topics covered are listed below:

• DNA extraction from a variety of sample types
• DNA quantity and quality analysis
• PCR based analysis of forensic DNA markers
• Interpretation of forensic DNA profile data in the context of a case
• Statistical assessment of the strength of DNA evidence

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CR5001 -

Concepts, Perspectives and Theories in Criminology (Core,20 Credits)

Why do people commit crime? Why does crime increase or decrease? What should be considered a crime and how can we prevent it? You will explore these and other questions through an evaluation and assessment of the different disciplinary contributions to the study of crime and its control. The dominant theoretical orientation often presented as being most closely aligned with criminology is that of sociology, but any cursory assessment of the history, development and contemporary nature of the study of crime and control will show that it has been significantly influenced by psychology, psychiatry, economics, political science, law and biology. Indeed, while the historical foundations of criminology lie in biological positivism, and much of the twentieth century saw a dominance of what can be called a psychological and sociological positivism, more recently the discipline of criminology can be said to be much more integrative comprising a variety of theoretical perspectives and approaches drawn from the social, life and physical sciences. The module locates criminological concepts, perspectives and theories within this integrative framework as well as within their historical and political contexts. The emphasis is on understanding explanations of crime, of harm and their control through the application of different conceptual and theoretical approaches to specific forms of criminality, victimisation and injustice.

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CR5007 -

Sex Work: Theory, Practice, Regulation (Optional,20 Credits)

Ever wondered how a brothel operates? Where media representations and opinions about the sex industry originate from? If people who sell sex enjoy it, or if they are being exploited? If legal frameworks and policing affect how, when and where people sell sex? By engaging with cutting edge research, you will explore these issues and more in Sex Work: Theory, Practice, Regulation.

The module is split into three parts:

In Part 1 you will learn about the diversity of the sex industry and competing theoretical perspectives exploring sex work. We will explore the arguments of academics and scholars, as well as the lived experiences of sex workers.

Part 2 concentrates on the practice of selling sex and will explore the empirical, theoretical and sex worker written literature to answer questions like - what strategies do sex workers and clients use to manage the sale and purchase of sex, why do people sell sex, why do people buy sex, and who are the clients?

Part 3 explores key regulatory issues including: violence and sexual safety, policing and national/international regulatory frameworks.

Workshops will explore and include case studies such as Sweden - where the purchase of sex is criminalised but not the sale, and New Zealand where sex work is decriminalised. You will use your emerging criminological knowledge to explore the theoretical underpinnings of these frameworks, as well as the impact they have on the practice, health and safety of sex workers.

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CR5020 -

The Criminal Justice System 2 (Core,20 Credits)

Revisiting but developing on the introductory module The Criminal Justice System 1, this module offers students a view of the modern day criminal justice system, comprised as it now of both state agencies (such as the police, courts, prisons and the probation service) and non-state agencies (such as voluntary/third sector and private/social enterprise agencies). Students will appreciate how the criminal justice system currently works with a range of offenders and victims, both at the statutory and non-statutory level. As well as looking at the system in England and Wales, other comparative examples will be included to widen students’ knowledge of how justice systems operate in the global context. For example, students will be introduced to some key contemporary issues in policing, focusing on recent trends in pluralisation, private security, and the increase in surveillance technology, as well as police governance and accountability in the era of Black Lives Matter. Similarly, further in-depth examination of prisons and punishment will focus not only on the modern prison in England and Wales but also on policies and practices in Europe (including Nordic exceptionalism), the ‘Americanisation’ of the penal system, the role of privatisation on prisons and community sentences, and the effectiveness of retributive vs restorative justice practices and policies. The module will also engage practitioners working in the criminal justice field where possible as a way of extending students’ knowledge and developing concrete ideas for pathways into employment and/or ongoing study.

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CR5022 -

Drugs, Crime and Society (Optional,20 Credits)

How are drugs produced, traded and distributed? How are patterns of drug use, misuse and dependency changing? How is this all shaped by patterns of public, private and criminal power? This module provides some of the answers by equipping students with the interdisciplinary knowledge, understanding and critical skills to analyse drug use and drug markets in the twenty-first century.

The first half of the module introduces students to key themes and debates in drug studies, with an emphasis on the relationship between drugs, crime, society, culture, technology and political economy. We will cover cross-disciplinary theoretical, conceptual and policy debates, taking the study of drugs beyond mainstream approaches. We will explore the impact of drug use and drug markets on contemporary society, including challenges relating to power, inequality, globalisation and new technologies.

The second half of the module covers several contemporary drug issues. It offers in-depth examinations of drug use, supply, trafficking and manufacture on global and local levels, as well as responses from policy makers and practitioners involved in drug enforcement, regulation and harm reduction. The module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to acquire expert knowledge of contemporary drug issues by drawing upon cutting-edge research. Content will change annually to provide up-to-date research-led teaching and learning. Current areas of expertise include: technology and online drug dealing; drug cultures and identities; health inequalities and harm reduction; narcopolitics and narcostates; and global and local markets in cocaine, heroin, cannabis, pharmaceutical drugs, image- and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs), and novel psychoactive substances (NPS).

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AP0536 -

Study Abroad (Optional,120 Credits)

This study abroad module is designed for standard full-time undergraduate programmes to provide you with the option to take an additional one year study abroad within your programme.

Study abroad provides an opportunity to develop personal skills in a different learning environment with a partner university. The module does not affect the classification of your degree, but if successfully passed the study abroad year is recognised in your transcript and degree certificate. There is a competitive selection process for placements and places cannot be guaranteed.

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AP0550 -

Academic Exchange Semester Study Abroad (Optional,60 Credits)

The Study Abroad module is a semester based 60 credit module. You will undertake a semester abroad at a partner university equivalent to 60 UK credits on a negotiated programme of study related to the award subject. This gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning. The course of study abroad will be constructed to meet the learning outcomes for the programme for the semester in question, dependent on suitable modules from the partner and will be recorded for an individual student on the learning agreement signed by the host University, the student, and the home University (Northumbria). The module will be assessed by conversion of graded marks from the host University.

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AP0552 -

Industrial Placement Year (Optional,120 Credits)

The Industrial Placement Year module is a full year 120 credit module which is available on degree courses which include a Industrial Placement year which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6. You will undertake a year of Industrial Placement at an approved placement partner. This broadens your overall experience of learning by embedding your current and future learning of your discipline within a regimented and target-oriented work environment. The course of Industrial Placement will be dependent on the partner and will be recorded for an individual student on the learning agreement signed by the host, the student, and the home University (Northumbria). Your Industrial Placement year will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. It will not count towards your final degree classification but, if you pass, it is recognised in your transcript as a 120 credit Industrial Placement Module and on your degree certificate in the format – “Degree title (with Industrial Placement Year)”.

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AP0601 -

Complex Casework (Core,20 Credits)

This module will provide you with the practical attributes of forensic science from the onset of a case through to the presentation of evidence in a court of law. It expands upon core forensic science disciplines and processes taught in previous years and focuses upon the strategy setting, examination and the delivery of interpretation and evaluation of forensic evidence within the context of complex case situations. You will study the importance of working together with key stakeholders (police, forensic pathologists, crime scene managers) in determining forensic strategy and prioritisation of key exhibits prior to commencing their practical examination. Whilst the emphasis on this module will be practical based with you undertaking the examination of forensic exhibits, it will be underpinned through taught lectures and seminars.

By the end of this module you will have gained an understanding of the difficulties of complex casework and conveying complex scientific information to the lay person.

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AP0603 -

Advanced Forensic Investigation (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn how advances in forensic interpretation can be applied to support the Criminal Justice System in decision making. You will learn how to use the Casework Assessment and Interpretation (CAI) model in the evaluative stage of crime investigation, as well as the use of the Bayesian approach to evaluate the strength of evidence and the conclusions/limitations that can be drawn from the analytical results. Embedded throughout the module will be case studies from violent, sexual and major crime used to supplement and underpin your learning.

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AP0629 -

Interdisciplinary Criminology and Forensic Science Dissertation (Core,40 Credits)

This module will provide you with an opportunity to independently review and evaluate a research question that encompasses both the criminological and scientific disciplines. You will independently examine the historical and contemporary theories that are currently applied to explaining crime from the perspective of the victim, offender and the environment. You will evaluate the effectiveness of the subsequent prevention strategies and appraise how these are complemented by the scientific and innovative technological approaches to detect crime. In doing so, you will adopt a critical and analytical approach to support innovative solutions for regulating, policing, preventing and detecting crime.

With the support of a dissertation supervisor within each discipline, you will seek to develop and answer a research question using research enquiry and tutored based techniques, for example collecting your own data, using existing data sets or by engaging in an analysis of the research literature. You will apply your information retrieval and critical appraisal skills with discussion of your results culminating in the production of a written dissertation that appraises criminological theory and scientific practice.

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CR6002 -

Contemporary Policing and Security (Optional,20 Credits)

From being a relatively marginal political issue, modern policing and security has risen rapidly up the social and political agendas of western societies. As inequalities have increased, so the actual and perceived risks of crime and other social ills have grown rapidly for all sections of society: the management of crime has become a central concern.

In this module you will develop your critical understanding, analysis and interpretation of the key themes, theories, issues and political debates concerning the development and contemporary nature of modern policing and the delivery of security in England and Wales. Where appropriate, you will be directed to comparative material from other countries and our discussions will draw upon these comparative dimensions to contemporary policing and security.

Given the ‘contemporary’ nature of this module and the continually evolving nature of policing and security, the content of this module is revised each year. Examples of topics covered in previous years include:
• The changing role and function of the police
• Policing and Mental Health
• Terrorism and Insecurity
• Technology, Surveillance and Society
• Policing Globalisation
• Victimology and Policing
• Conducting Research in Policing and Security Settings

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CR6003 -

Crime and Society in Newcastle and Amsterdam (Optional,20 Credits)

On this cutting-edge module you will explore two important cities – Newcastle and Amsterdam – to compare and contrast key criminological and sociological issues in both places. The module offers important insights into the city in which you study (Newcastle) and, in Amsterdam, a city that features regularly in the media and academic literature – a place often portrayed as innovative, liberal, sometimes controversial and somewhere other cities could learn lessons from . On the module you will consider several important issues such as the way in which both cities have developed and evolved; the relations between both cities; the way crime and society operates in both cities; and how crime and other social issues are governed. A key part of the module is the Amsterdam fieldtrip where you visit Amsterdam, be taken on tours of the city, and conduct small group fieldwork on an important issue in the city (for instance, sex work, drugs, policing, the night-time economy, and tourism), and consider whether Newcastle should emulate ‘Amsterdam-style’ policies.

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CR6004 -

Crimes of the Powerful (Optional,20 Credits)

Crime just doesn’t happen on the streets. It takes place in homes, in offices, in natural habitats – places hidden from view and scrutiny. Often it is kept hidden because of powerful actors. You will examine a range of criminal and harmful behaviours, as well as deviant and anti-social activities under the organising theme ‘crimes of the powerful’. The module situates and understands crimes and victimisations within a framework where questions of structural relationships and personal power in society are key to why some crime is visible and some is not. You will be expected to challenge orthodox representations of crime and demonstrate an intellectual openness to new ideas, whilst adopting a critical and analytical approach to the control, regulation and prevention of invisible and hidden crimes and/or victimisations.

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CR6007 -

Mentally Disordered Offenders (Optional,20 Credits)

Mentally disordered offenders: “mad, bad and dangerous to know”? During this module you will begin to explore who ‘they’ are, what ‘they’ do, why we are afraid of ‘them’, how we identify ‘them’ and what we are doing about ‘them’.
You will learn about and critique mentally disordered offender theory and practice, including: developing a critical understanding to the concept of ‘mentally disordered offenders’; the links between mental disorder and crime; the links between the mass media and the public in the development of the concept of the ‘dangerous offender’; the development of Forensic Psychiatry and its impact on the concept of ‘risk’ and ‘risk assessment’; and a critical assessment of the impact of policy developments on approaches to the care and/or control of mentally disordered offenders.

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CR6018 -

Crime, Animals and the Environment (Optional,20 Credits)

Is there a relationship between violence against animals and violence against humans? Why is it okay to kill certain animals, but a crime to kill others? How do large corporations get away with polluting the planet? How can we address crimes against animals and the environment? These are all questions we will attempt to address on this module. As part of your studies you will learn about the emerging and competing perspectives and frameworks regarding the neglected topic of crimes and harms against animals and the environment. In a module offered at very few universities, you are introduced to the philosophies and perspectives of Green Criminology and Critical Animal Studies. You will develop skills that enable you to critically analyse notions of crime and harm, and social and ecological justice in relation to animal abuse, deforestation, wildlife, pollution and many other areas that pertain to green and environmental crime and victimisation. While honing verbal and written skills, this module will give you the working knowledge to discuss the type, scope, and impacts of green and animal-related crimes and harms and how this is different from street and ‘traditional’ volume crimes. This module provides a fresh new area of criminological scholarship which you will contribute to in discussion and debate with the module tutors and fellow students - examining crime from new and cutting edge perspectives.

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CR6020 -

Understanding Extreme Violence (Optional,20 Credits)

This module looks at three distinct but inter-related aspects of violence: structural violence, symbolic violence and subjective violence. Analyses of structural violence looks principally at the violence of systems. It is the unseen violence that occurs every day; the violence that needs to take place so that contemporary western consumer societies to continue onwards in their present form. Analyses of symbolic violence focus on the violence of language and symbols. Bourdieu’s account of symbolic violence, for example, addresses the ability of the powerful to deny the working class a language that might allow them to understand their true value and social position. Analyses of subjective violence focus on forms of violence committed by clearly identifiable ‘subjects’, or individuals. In this module, we will use psychoanalytic theory to identify the fundamental forces that drive the violent individual to inflict harm upon others.

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CR6021 -

Life after Crime (Optional,20 Credits)

Do children who break the law always turn into adult offenders? What might help someone change their behaviour? Is it always the impact of a criminal justice intervention that makes someone desist from crime? This module will look at all of these questions.

The first part will track the nature and complexity of criminal careers. It will demonstrate different ways in which offenders come to be engaged in crime and the extent to which starting early is a predictor of a criminal career. After considering the different ways in which criminal careers are sustained and developed, you will look at the interventions criminal justice and aligned organisations put in place to change offenders’ behaviour.

We will investigate forms of restorative justice and reparation, and question whether, and how, they might fit within different criminal justice systems around the world. For example, what might the role of ‘circles of support’ be in a risk adverse society? The module will also look at whether some activities in prison might have a role in desistance after release. For example, are creative, artistic, spiritual and sporting activities a hook for changing offending behaviour after release?

Throughout the module we will consider UK and international criminal justice practice, and question the impact of social, political and cultural contexts of restoration, rehabilitation and desistance. You will be encouraged to explore all of these elements from cultural and critical criminological perspectives.

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CR6025 -

Crime, Technology and Surveillance (Optional,20 Credits)

This course aims to enhance the students’ understanding of surveillance, esp. the role of technology here, and their link to crime and social order. What is the meaning of technology and of surveillance in society? How do we conceptualise contemporary surveillance strategies? How have technologies been developed and used for such purposes? The students will reflect on such questions and engage with critical discussions from the fields of surveillance studies, science and technology studies, and social studies of forensic science.

Throughout this module, the students will be looking at different issues that relate to surveillance and crime control practices in an age of uncertainty; namely how contemporary surveillance strategies and technologies shape notions of identity and lead to (new/old) forms of inclusion and exclusion. By adopting a critical position, we will explore the impacts of a range of technologies in Criminal Justice settings and in societies more widely.

For instance, with the development of emerging technologies and crime control practices in a global world, we must critically engage with the notion of global surveillance and the various forms of technological innovation (for example, the process of border control and the use of biometrics). The module will also consider the wider significance of analysing the impacts of surveillance not only on specific criminal justice related-contexts (such as policing) but also on our everyday lives. This will help us to better understand the social, legal and ethical issues that arise with the use of surveillance technologies in different settings.

Module content will be updated annually in order to provide up-to-date research-led teaching and learning.

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CR6026 -

Social Harm (Optional,20 Credits)

Since the late 1990s, the study of legal-but-harmful social, cultural, environmental, and political-economic practices has exploded. Some of the most significant problems facing contemporary society not only lie beyond the present scope of legal prohibition but are thoroughly normalized and integral to the functioning of liberal-capitalist political economy. Our current period in history is one beset by a range of interconnected and overlapping crises. Climate change; crises in housing, employment, and homelessness; resource wars; a libertarian financial elite generating widening gaps of inequality both globally and domestically; global pandemics; and a socially corrosive consumer culture generating harsh interpersonal competition, indebtedness and significant mental health issues. These issues are, for the most part, not criminal or caused by criminal behaviour. They are normalised social harms that are, in various ways, embedded within and caused by our current political-economic, cultural, and ecological way of life. Consequently, social harm is one of the most potentially potent and transformative concepts currently available to the social sciences.

The first part of the module will equip students with a detailed understanding of the criminological and philosophical underpinnings of the concept of social harm, how it can be deployed, and how it is rapidly expanding the boundaries of criminology as a discipline. The second part of the module will then focus on various specific areas of social harm, attempting to understand what is causing them, and considering on what grounds we can legitimately call these things harmful. Harms such as climate change; housing crises; unemployment and precarious hyper-exploitative employment; food poverty; indebtedness; mass depression and anxiety; and a self-destructive and socially corrosive consumer culture. In the third part of the module, we will consider what political, economic, and cultural changes are required to address these issues, and what tools are already available to us. Overall, the module endeavours to equip students with a better understand of the world they live in and some of the frustrations and harms that blight our collective lives.

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CR6028 -

Intimate Partner Violence (Optional,20 Credits)

The module provides a critical analysis of contemporary debates about intimate partner violence. Its focus is primarily the UK, with some consideration of the situation in the USA and other countries. On the module, we will draw primarily on criminological, sociological, and feminist analyses, with some consideration of other disciplines (such as psychology). We will examine theoretical explanations of intimate partner violence in the social sciences, the policy and legal responses to it, and the social movement that has developed in response to it. You will gain an understanding of the causes and consequences of intimate partner violence, and the policy and activist responses to it, including relevant methodological issues.

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Criminology and Forensic Science BSc (Hons)

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Virtual Tour

Get an insight into life at Northumbria at the click of a button! Come and explore our videos and 360 panoramas to immerse yourself in our campuses and get a feel for what it is like studying here using our interactive virtual tour.

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