AR2CSA: Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Analysis

Module code: AR2CSA

Module provider: Archaeology; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Double Presentation: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Sophia Mills, email: sophia.mills@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 27 March 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides you with an introduction to crime scene investigation and the evidence types, techniques of recovery, and considerations needed when undertaking forensic and forensic archaeological analyses. Through a series of lecture and practicals you will gain knowledge and experience of forensic investigative techniques, and learn the theory behind when, why and how these are utilised. With each week covering a different topic, this module gives a broad overview of forensic investigation. Providing you with knowledge of the processes involved from the moment a crime is committed to the case being presented in court; including evidence collection, testing, forensic and legal procedures and even the psychological impacts of such investigations.

The module provides you with a comprehensive knowledge of both the practical and theoretical aspects and methodology of forensic archaeology and crime scene investigation. Through lectures, practical activities, , and a suite of additional material including videos and reading, you will be able to explore and understand forensic and archaeological practices, and when, why and how these are used. The scientific basis of each technique and its application to crime scene investigations will be explored using examples of their application in both contemporary and archaeological criminal investigations. You will also obtain practical experience of crime scene analysis techniques through in-class and interactive activities.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Understand the basic scientific concepts of different areas of crime scene investigation and how to apply the theoretical and practical skills obtained throughout the course in a crime scene scenario
2. Understand the role of the forensic archaeologist and other forensic specialists, in applying and critically assessing scientific methods, evidence and sources of uncertainty and how that uncertainty is dealt with in modern crime scene investigations
3. Explore the main sources of academic literature regarding forensic archaeology and crime scene investigation and research a series of modern and historical case studies
4. Present data and findings from a crime scene scenario in the form of a crime scene report.

Module content

The module will consider modern scientific techniques of crime scene investigation including DNA, fingerprints, soil analysis, material transfer, , forensic archaeology and anthropology in the context of modern policing and crime investigation. Various practicals will give students the opportunity to experience techniques of modern crime scene investigation under tutorage of forensic science practitioners.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is taught through a series of illustrated lectures, practical activities, case study scenarios, and discussion and working groups.

This module is taught twice to two different cohorts of students - first in Semester 1 and then repeated in Semester 2. The study hours are listed for the first iteration of teaching in Semester 1, and these same study hours are repeated for the second iteration of teaching in Semester 2.

Study hours

At least 33 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
• where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs