BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Forensic and Criminal Investigation

Forensic science is the application of science for the resolution of legal disputes and as evidence to prove or disprove a crime, using non-biased information to establish whether a crime has taken place and to evaluate crime scene evidence.
The 2-year programme is the equivalent of 3 A-levels and consists of 13 units giving a broad overview of the principles and application of forensic science, forensic psychology, and criminology as presented in court processes under UK law.
The units cover criminology and forensic practice applied to real-life contexts and scenarios. These are then underpinned with units covering the core principles of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, similar to that covered in A-level.

In the first year, 6 units are taken;
• Unit 1 - Principles and Applications of Science 1 (90 GLH)*
• Unit 2 - Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques (90 GLH)
• Unit 3 - Science Investigation Skills (120 GLH)**
• Unit 4 - Forensic Investigative Procedures in Practice (90 GLH)
• Unit 9 - Environmental Forensics (60 GLH)
• Unit 13 - Forensic Genetics (60 GLH).

In the second year, a further 7 units are taken;
• Unit 5 - Applications of Criminology (120 GLH)**
• Unit 6 - Criminal Investigation Procedures in Practice (90 GLH)
• Unit 7 - Applications of Forensic and Criminal Psychology (120 GLH)**
• Unit 11 - Forensic Traffic Collision Investigation (60 GLH)
• Unit 12 - Forensic Photography (60 GLH)
• Unit 14 - Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology (60 GLH)
• Unit 15 - Practical Chemical Analysis (60GLH).

* Externally set written examination
** Externally set task carried out in college
All other units are Internally assessed assignment tasks