The Science Behind Forensic Science (FutureLearn)

Offered by King's College London,
The Science Behind Forensic Science (FutureLearn)

Get an introduction to the science of forensic science and discover how it's applied in the real world. Discover the biology and chemistry behind forensic science. How does forensic science really work? How are scientific principles applied in crime scenes? Answer these questions and more with this course from the team who teach the longest-running forensic science programme of its type in England.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

On the course you will get an introduction to the chemistry and biology of forensic science. You will examine the methods used in forensic science and learn about how these technique are used in crime scenes and explained in the court room.

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to Forensic Science and The Crime Scene
Week 2: Forensic Biology
Week 3: Forensic Chemistry
Week 4: Evidence in the Court

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Demonstrate an understanding of how a crime scene is evaluated and some of the analytical techniques required for an analysis of the evidence.
  • Apply the chemistry knowledge acquired to approach the learning and understanding of more sophisticated techniques used in forensic science
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the genome that enables them to comprehend forensic DNA analysis
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of strengths and limitations of an adversarial judicial system in giving forensic evidence

Who is the course for?
This course is for anyone interested in discovering more about forensic science. It will be especially useful if you’re thinking of studying forensic science in the future or if you work in a field related to forensic science (for example law or the police force) and want to find out more.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Forensic Facial Reconstruction: Finding Mr. X (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The University of Sheffield

Forensic Facial Reconstruction: Finding Mr. X (FutureLearn)

Learn about the forensic technique of facial reconstruction from the experts involved in a real crime case. On Saturday 22 January 2000, two men found a small holdall, abandoned on an industrial estate in the north of Sheffield. Upon opening the bag they made a gruesome discovery. A badly decomposed body. Who was this person? Why did they die? Where had the body been stored all of this time? On this course from The University of Sheffield, you’ll learn alongside the experts who worked to determine the identity of Mr. X. You’ll discover the forensic science techniques that were used to identify the body and understand the circumstances surrounding their death.

Sep 21st 2020
2 Weeks
Citizen Science: Sensing the World (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Dundee,Grow Observatory

Citizen Science: Sensing the World (FutureLearn)

Learn about sensing, including how to use a soil sensor and how to monitor the changing climate, by joining the GROW Observatory. Improve your soil and monitor the changing climate as a citizen scientist. Did you know satellites are constantly monitoring soil moisture, even in your garden? Monitoring the moisture in soil can help predict floods, fires and droughts. On this course, you will learn about the ESA’s Sentinel-1 Missions, and how citizens can validate satellite data locally with sensors.

No sessions available
2 Weeks
The Science of the Solar System (Coursera) Coursera
Caltech

The Science of the Solar System (Coursera)

Learn about the science behind the current exploration of the solar system in this free class. Use principles from physics, chemistry, biology, and geology to understand the latest from Mars, comprehend the outer solar system, ponder planets outside our solar system, and search for habitability in our neighborhood and beyond. This course is generally taught at an advanced level assuming a prior knowledge of undergraduate math and physics, but the majority of the concepts and lectures can be understood without these prerequisites.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
AstroTech: The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

AstroTech: The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery (Coursera)

Modern astronomy has made some astonishing discoveries - how stars burn and how black holes form; galaxies from the edge of the universe and killer rocks right next door; where the elements come from and how the expanding universe is accelerating. But how do we know all that? The truth is that astronomy would be impossible without technology, and every advance in astronomy is really an advance in technology. But the technology by itself is not enough. We have to apply it critically with a knowledge of physics to unlock the secrets of the Universe.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Discovering Science: Global Challenges (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Discovering Science: Global Challenges (FutureLearn)

Can chemistry help to feed a growing population, or overcome increasing bacterial resistance? Find out how the Penicillin class of antibiotics has been a major breakthrough in the treatment of patients. However, with bacteria developing efficient ways of resisting antibiotic treatment, discover how scientists are treating patients with infections resulting from resistant bacteria.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Decoding Forensics for Legal Professionals (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Monash University,Project 39A

Decoding Forensics for Legal Professionals (FutureLearn)

Delve into forensic science and examine its limitations to better understand how to use forensics in criminal trials. Explore the basics of forensic pathology. Explore commonly relied on disciplines in forensics. Today, forensic evidence is integral to criminal investigations and trials. Therefore, it is important for legal professionals to have an understanding of the scientific foundations and limitations of different types of forensic evidence, in order to engage more meaningfully with such evidence.

Self Paced
5-12 Weeks
Understanding Ramon Llull: Philosophy, Arts and Science through the Ars Combinatoria (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Universitat Pompeu Fabra,Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona - CCCB

Understanding Ramon Llull: Philosophy, Arts and Science through the Ars Combinatoria (FutureLearn)

Explore the fascinating work of philosopher Ramon Llull and its impact with this free online course. Ramon Llull, born in Majorca in the 13th Century, was an influential philosopher, writer and pioneering thinker. This controversial man was admired and scorned alike by some of the most enlightened minds in European culture. He was also one of the leading lights in the intellectual circles of the late 13th century, in which Arab, Jewish and Christian philosophers and scientists participated.

No sessions available
2 Weeks
Snow: What It Is and Why It Matters (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Luleå University of Technology

Snow: What It Is and Why It Matters (FutureLearn)

Explore the science of snow – how it forms, its different types, and how it can best be used. Learn all about snow from cold weather experts in Sweden. Snow can affect every aspect of life, from transport systems to business operations; that’s why it’s crucial to understand what exactly snow is, how it forms, and how we can manage it.

Oct 25th 2021
2 Weeks
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology: An Experimental Science (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of York

Introduction to Cognitive Psychology: An Experimental Science (FutureLearn)

Learn how to use cognitive psychology experiments to explore the internal workings of the mind with this online psychology course. Learn how to conduct, analyse and understand cognitive psychology experiments. Cognitive psychology is the scientific study of internal mental processes. On this course, you will be introduced to two key areas of cognitive psychology: reasoning and thinking and mental imagery.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
Forensic Psychology: Witness Investigation (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The Open University

Forensic Psychology: Witness Investigation (FutureLearn)

How important are eyewitness testimonies in police investigations? Discover how forensic psychology prevents criminal injustice. Become a forensic psychologist and help solve crimes using eyewitness evidence. Have you ever questioned how reliable your own mind is? In this 8-week forensic psychology course, you’ll learn how the mind plays tricks on us and how this can impact criminal investigations. You’ll discover how cautious the police have to be during eyewitness investigation, and you’ll step into the shoes of a forensic psychologist.

Self Paced
5-12 Weeks
Discovering Science: Atmospheric Chemistry (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Discovering Science: Atmospheric Chemistry (FutureLearn)

What can we learn about Earth, and other planets in and beyond our solar system, by studying their atmospheres? Learn about the role that radiation and greenhouse gases play in our understanding of atmospheric chemistry. As levels of CO2 in the atmosphere increase, you will discover the solutions scientists are exploring to reduce levels. And discover how missions to other planets and moons in our solar system are revealing extraordinarily diverse atmospheres.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
UFOs: Scanning the Skies Teach-Out (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Michigan

UFOs: Scanning the Skies Teach-Out (FutureLearn)

Explore possible explanations for UFO sightings as you delve into fascinating accounts of unidentified flying objects. Unpack the myths and facts surrounding UFOs. Following the release of the U.S. Pentagon UFO report, there has been a surge of interest in unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). People across the world are gripped by the history of UFOs and the stories told by those who have witnessed them.

Feb 7th 2022
2 Weeks