Crime Scene Investigation (Level 3) Course

A distance learning course is the ideal way to gain a Level 3 qualification in Crime Scene Investigation. Whether you're looking to go on to further education, improve your job prospects or expand your knowledge, distance learning Diploma in Crime Scene Investigation is a flexible and convenient course, which allows you to comprehensively prepare for an exam or career through home study. What's more, because the distance learning Level 3 in Crime Scene Investigation course is a fully comprehensive course, no prior knowledge is required.

This is an ideal course for those interested in working within forensic science, criminology, the police force and the criminal justice system. It is designed for those who wish to have a broad knowledge base of how crime scenes are investigated and dealt with. This course focuses on the work of forensic science professionals, taking you through crime scene management and what procedures are necessary for a thorough crime scene investigation. You will study the collection of biological evidence such as DNA and fingerprinting, and the proper methods of collecting evidence from crime scenes where there is a dead body present.The course will finally conclude with an outline of how evidence from a CSI case is presented in a court room before a judge.

How is the course structured?

The Level 3 in Crime Scene Investigation is divided into six comprehensive modules.

Unit 1: An Introduction to Forensic Science

• Introduction
• What is Forensic Science?
• Locard’s Principle of Exchange
• The beginnings of forensic science
• Who and what?
• Specialist forensic services

Unit 2: Scene Management

• Introduction
• Identifying a crime scene
• The location of the scene
• Crime scene procedures

Unit 3: Crime Scene Evidence Part 1 - Biological Evidence

• Key areas of biological forensic evidence
• DNA
• DNA Extraction
• Fingerprints
• Odontology
• Blood spatter analysis

Unit 4: Crime Scene Evidence Part 2 - Body Crime Scene

• Removing forensic evidence from a body
• DNA
• Fingerprints from the deceased
• Fibres
• Making an impression
• Crime scene risk assessments
• Legislation affecting the recovery of forensic evidence

Unit 5: Evidence Handling

• Packaged for success
• Recovering the item
• Sealing and labelling evidence
• Reporting the findings
• Different forms of packaging
• Chain of Evidence

Unit 6: Presenting and Preparing Evidence for Court

• Introduction
• Writing a Statement
• ADVOCATE: assessing witness reliability
• The court system

Home Study Tutor Support

You will be provided with comprehensive materials designed to provide you with everything required to complete Crime Scene Investigation course. You will have your own personal tutor helping you with your course work and with any questions you may have. Plus you can contact our Student Advisors by email or phone for all the practical advice you may need – so we really are with you 100%.

What's more, you'll have access to the online student portal, where you can interact with other students, browse our resource library and manage your account.

Course Assessments

The Crime Scene Investigation courseis marked through a process of continuous assessment guided by your tutor following NCFE guidelines. This means that your qualification will be awarded according to your performance on assessments rather than by taking an exam.

We send the full course out, you then read through the course in your own time and complete the assignments which you send to your tutor for marking. There is no word count for these assignments. However, one sentence answers will be rejected and you will have to re-submit it for marking.

Upon verification of the activities, exercises and assignments, a certificate of achievement will be awarded by the national awarding organisation NCFE, as confirmation that your written work has met all of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for the programme.

What's Included? What do I get when I enrol?

Your course fee covers everything you will need to successfully complete the Crime Scene Investigationhome study course and earn your Level 3 qualification:

1. All textbooks, study folders, and/or online learning aids designed for distance learning
2. A full range of student services, including:

• Tutor marked assessments (TMAs)
• Access to the online student portal (Student Chat, Forums and Online Support Resources)
• NUS Extra Card (discounted membership)
• Comprehensive Study Guide & Study Plan
• Guide to Effective Study Techniques
• How to approach exams without fear

3. An accredited diploma upon successful course completion directly from the awarding body NCFE
4. One year's educational support by e-mail, post, fax or phone
5. Free postage and packaging for UK mainland students

The good news is that no prior learning knowledge or experience is essential to take this course.  This course is openly available to anyone wishing to learn more about Crime Scene Investigation and would like to take part in a highly rewarding home study course. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and study further, so we try to keep our entry requirements to a minimum.

Forensic Scientist

Forensic scientists use principles of biology, chemistry and maths, and a range of techniques, to obtain and analyse evidence from a variety of sources - including blood and other body fluids, hairs, textile fibres, glass fragments and tyre marks.As a forensic scientist, your main role would be to look for evidence to link a suspect with a crime scene.