The MSc (Med) programme is fully research-based and students may select their discipline of choice from the list below. It aims to equip students with knowledge, attitudes and skills in the chosen specialised field and allows students develop prior knowledge and skills in the discipline.

The requirement for this full master’s dissertation, conducted under supervision, is that it must not exceed 50 000 words in length and must be on a topic in the relevant discipline. Students are trained in statistics where necessary, in research methods, in conducting literature reviews, and in designing a research proposal. Having submitted their research proposals for approval and having obtained formal ethics approval where necessary, candidates proceed with their research, analyse the results, and write up the dissertation. The dissertation is externally examined.

• MSc (Med): Forensic Genetics

  Course convener: A/Prof Laura Heathfield

  Research areas:

  • Molecular autopsies in unresolved cases; sudden unexpected death, toxicogenetics
  • Human identification including molecular phenotyping, forensic DNA profiling, database creation
  • Optimisation of DNA extraction from challenging samples

• MSc (Med): Molecular Forensics

  Course convener: A/Prof Laura Heathfield

  Research areas:

  • Body fluid identification
  • Molecular evidence in sexual assault

• MSc (Med): Forensic Medical Microbiology

  Course convener: Prof Lorna J Martin

  Research areas:

  • Optimisation of bacteria and virus detection in deceased individuals
  • Non-invasive sample collection from decedents for downstream microbiology analysis

• MSc (Med): Forensic Toxicology

  Course convener: Bronwen Davies

  Research areas:

  • Forensic Toxicology

• MSc (Med): Forensic Entomology

  Course convener: Dr Calvin Mole

  Research areas:

  • Morphological identification of local forensically active species
  • DNA barcoding of forensically relevant blow flies
  • Post mortem interval (PMI) determination
  • Death scene investigation
  • Scene reconstruction