Psychology with Forensic Scene Investigation - BSc (Hons)

Abertay University

This module will focus on the INTERPOL Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process and introduce you to the use of biometric information, not just for personal security, but also in a forensic capacity for the purposes of human identification. Indicative Content - Biometric Human Identifiers: Application of biometric information for both personal security and human identification purposes. Biometric evidence recovery from a crime scene and/or victim. Specialised and emerging biometric data. Links to current biometric databases. - INTERPOL DVI: Introduction to the INTERPOL Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process, recognising the four stages, the classification of disasters and understanding the identification criteria required to enable reconciliation. - Body Recovery and Mortuary Procedures: Describe and acknowledge the roles and responsibilities of the post mortem (PM) examination team. Recognise the sequence of a PM examination, the purpose and evidential value of samples recovered and how these items of evidence are preserved through integrity and continuity.

In this module, you’ll explore the key areas of cognitive psychology — the study of how we think, perceive, and make decisions. You’ll learn about both lower-level processes like perception and memory, and higher-level functions such as reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Alongside lectures, you’ll take part in practical sessions where you’ll experience classic cognitive experiments firsthand. Indicative content - Conceptual and historical perspectives in cognition: Origins of research in cognition, and cognitive neuropsychology. Understanding how cognitive processes operate in different brain areas. - Neural architectures: Neurones, receptive fields and vision. How does the brain connect the world outside with our thoughts and experiences? - Perception and recognition: The recognition of objects and faces. - Attention: Is cognition a limited resource to be allocated carefully or do we attend to everything? - Learning and memory: What circumstances determine how we learn new information? How is this information stored in our brains and how do we access this information while reasoning? - Decision making and problem solving: How do we choose responses; how do we solve problems?

This module introduces the core research skills needed to study psychology. You’ll learn how psychologists design and conduct research, analyse data, and interpret findings. The module covers the scientific process, key research designs, statistical analysis, and ethical practice. Through practical activities, you’ll see how psychological theories are tested and applied in real-world research. Indicative content: - The Role of Research in Psychology: Introduction to scientific enquiry and the role of research in psychology - The Experimental Method: Defining experimental variables. Experimental design. Bias and control - Descriptive Statistics: Measures of central tendency and dispersion. Graphical and tabular presentation of data. Properties of the normal distribution curve. Standard error of the mean and confidence intervals - Inferential Statistics: Introduction to hypothesis formation and testing. The role of probability in statistical inference. Test selection for parametric and non-parametric data. Data analysis using inferential statistical tests. Type I and Type II errors. Introduction to statistical software for data entry; to summarise data in tables and graphs; and to perform descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. - Ethics: Introduction to ethical considerations and implications with reference to the British Psychological Society Guidelines - Library Skills: Identify, locate and evaluate appropriate academic sources for a set academic task using key library and information skills, and acknowledge their use - Report Writing: Conveying information from investigations using the appropriate APA standard. Conduct and report a literature review using appropriate academic sources. - Open Science: Introduction to the Open Science movement in Psychology.

Please note: If you are a Direct Entrant (new student) to this year of study and have not previously taken module ABE101, then you MUST take ABE201 as your Term 2 microcredential module. If you have previously taken ABE101, then you are NOT permitted to take ABE201 in Term 2. Starting university brings new opportunities and challenges, and every student’s journey is different. This microcredential helps you settle into life at Abertay and build the habits that lead to success. You’ll hear from current students sharing their own tips, and reflect on the areas you most want to develop. You’ll get to know Abertay’s systems, explore what makes a successful student and practise core skills such as time management, referencing, academic writing style and using support services. By the end, you’ll have the tools and strategies you need to thrive at university. Indicative content - Navigating Abertay Systems: Get to know the key systems you’ll use at Abertay—such as MyLearningSpace, MS Teams, OASIS and MyAbertay—and learn how to use them effectively. - Expectations of University and You: Explore what’s expected of you as a student and what you can expect from the university. Topics include the code of conduct, independent and blended learning, how courses are structured, health and safety, and the Abertay attributes. - Abertay Discovery Tool: Complete the Discovery Tool to identify your strengths and areas for development across five themes: studying at university, academic skills, digital skills, careers and employability, and wellbeing. - Fundamentals of University: Learn how modules work, how assessments are set, and how to use assignment briefs and feedback to improve your work. - Understanding, Searching and Evaluating Information: Develop strategies for finding and assessing reliable information, building your confidence in research and study skills. - Successful Student Behaviours: Practise the habits that help you succeed: managing time, avoiding procrastination, effective note-taking, preparing for classes, developing a growth mindset, and making use of student support services. - Referencing: Understand academic integrity and why referencing matters. Learn how to avoid plagiarism, create in-text citations and reference lists, and use digital tools to manage your sources. - Sounding Academic: Discover what lecturers mean by “academic style” and how to use the right language in your writing. Learn the rules of academic writing, how to paraphrase effectively, and how expectations differ between school/college and university. You’ll also explore how assessments, marking and feedback work.

Develop the essential skills to design, conduct, analyse and report psychological research to a professional standard. You’ll learn how to carry out both quantitative and qualitative studies ethically, analyse data using statistical software, and present your findings in APA format. Through practical work and research projects, you’ll build confidence in planning and executing psychological investigations — from forming hypotheses and collecting data to interpreting results and writing reports. Indicative Content - Methods of Research: Main quantitative and qualitative research methods available to psychologists; Use in applied settings; advantages and disadvantages - The Experimental Method: Variables and levels; hypotheses; design - basic and advanced; control techniques; validity and reliability in experimentation; ethics in experimentation - Data Analysis - Descriptive Statistics: Data types; measures of central tendency; measures of dispersion; normal distribution; graphing data; confidence intervals. - Data Analysis - Inferential Statistics: Test selection; parametric and nonparametric 2-sample test of difference; Within and Between one-way ANOVA and Non-parametric ANOVA, effect size; power; correlation; Tests of both internal and external reliability; inter rater reliability - Qualitative Methods: Types of qualitative research techniques; questionnaire design, interviewing - types, advantages, disadvantages; analysing interview material. - Quantitative Methods: Experimental method, two variable tests of difference (parametric and non-parametric), tests of relationships (parametric and non-parametric); multilevel testing (parametric and non-parametric), follow up testing (parametric and non-parametric). Reliability analysis using Cronbach's alpha, quantitative content analysis, item analysis - Ethics: Creating and conducting ethical research based on BPS Ethical Guidelines - Reporting Research: Sections and content of an APA formatted psychology lab report; APA referencing - Information Searching: Structured and unstructured search; Search using the Internet and locating electronic journals using the university library system and appropriate databases - I.T.Skills: Designing a lab report template using Word for Windows; using SPSS and JAMOVI for data analysis.

In this student-led module, you’ll work collaboratively with staff to shape the assessment content and marking criteria. You’ll explore how psychology is applied in real-world settings — from industry and education to health and sport — through seminars led by academics and guest speakers. This module gives you the chance to see psychology in action and reflect on how research translates into professional practice. Indicative Content - Psychological Therapies in the Real World: Understanding the applications and impact of psychology therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy. - Human Factors: Understanding how psychology impacts performance in safety-critical workplaces such as medicine and aviation. - Environmental Psychology: To what extent are the environments we live and work in influenced by psychology? - Sports Psychology in the Real World: What is sports psychology and how is it applied to issues like duty of care? - Applied Forensic Psychology: Applying psychology theory to crime to help answer questions like ‘why do offenders offend?’ - Applied Educational Psychology: How can psychology theories be applied in teaching, such as supporting children with learning difficulties?

In this module, you’ll explore the fascinating connections between biology and psychology, following the core BPS curriculum. You’ll be introduced to the physiology that shapes human behaviour, including genetics, the central nervous system and the endocrine system. You’ll look at the processes that directly influence how we respond, as well as those that play a more subtle role in shaping our thoughts and actions. Alongside this, you’ll examine major topics in personality and individual differences, engaging with current research and considering how these ideas are applied in real-world settings. Indicative Content - Biological Control of Behaviour: You’ll explore how the central nervous system and the endocrine system work together to shape observable behaviours such as movement, eating and reproduction. - Psychopharmacology: You’ll look at the effects of recreational and therapeutic drugs on the body and mind, and examine the biological and psychological factors that contribute to drug use and addiction. - Hormones, Reproduction and Emotion: You’ll investigate how hormones and neural development influence areas such as mate choice, sexual behaviour, gender identity and sexual orientation, and how these processes connect to human emotion. - Behavioural Genetics, Evolutionary and Sociobiology: You’ll study how both genetics and the environment influence human behaviour. You’ll also be introduced to evolutionary processes that shape cognition and social interactions in humans and other animals. - Neuroimaging: You’ll be introduced to the main methods used to study the brain and investigate the neural processes that underpin cognition. - Introduction to Personality and Individual Differences: You’ll explore the main theories of personality and individual differences, including debates such as Trait vs. State and Personality vs. Situation, and consider how these ideas help explain human behaviour. - Intelligence: You’ll examine different definitions of intelligence and the psychometric approaches used to measure it. You’ll also consider the cognitive basis of intelligence, its impact on education and social policy, and debates around generational, racial and gender differences in IQ. - Personality and Culture: You’ll explore how personality connects with culture, looking at topics such as national character, social attitudes, evolutionary perspectives, learning styles, health and illness, social anxiety and shyness. - Individual Differences in Cognitive Style: You’ll investigate how people differ in the way they think, perceive and remember information. You’ll also explore different learning styles and theories of learning, and how these shape individual approaches to education and problem-solving.

In this module, you’ll explore how social cognition develops and changes across the lifespan, with a focus on evolutionary psychology. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how we connect with others and process information in social situations. Key topics include group behaviour, stereotyping and prejudice, and how we perceive ourselves and those around us. By the end, you’ll have a strong grasp of the psychological processes that shape our social world. Indicative Content - Historical and Conceptual Issues: You’ll be introduced to the socio-cognitive approach, exploring how research has examined the pressures that shape human behaviour and the ways our thinking and social processing change as we develop. - Lifespan: Relationships and the Irresistible Influence of First Impressions: You’ll look at evolutionary social psychology, considering both universal patterns and individual differences. You’ll explore how first impressions are formed, how surface characteristics affect memory and perception, and why we might respond differently to some people compared to others. - Social Cognition: Stereotype Formation and Application: You’ll investigate how stereotypes are formed, the models that explain them, and the situations where stereotypes influence how we perceive and judge other people. - Social Cognition: Prejudice and Effective Interventions: You’ll examine the causes of prejudice between groups and evaluate the strategies and interventions designed to reduce its negative effects in society. - Social Cognition: Self-Processing: You’ll explore how the way we process information about ourselves shapes our attention, perception and memory, and how this influences our behaviour in social contexts. - Lifespan: The Development of Bias: You’ll study how stereotypes and biases develop from childhood through to adulthood, and how these changes link to wider social and cognitive development. You’ll also explore how self-processing systems develop in childhood and shape the way we think. - Applications: You’ll see how social cognition research is applied in real-world contexts, from education to intergroup behaviour. You’ll also explore examples such as the COVID-19 pandemic to understand how psychological research can inform responses to social challenges.

In this module, you’ll begin by exploring real cases of miscarriages of justice and the important lessons they teach us. You’ll look at how wrongful convictions can still happen today, often because of inaccurate eyewitness evidence. Together, we’ll discuss the factors that affect memory—such as age, time delays and interview techniques—and how these can influence the reliability of testimony. You’ll also examine how psychological theories and experimental research can be applied to improve investigative interviews and courtroom procedures, helping to make the justice system fairer and more effective. Indicative Content - Miscarriages of Justice : You’ll explore both historic and modern cases of miscarriages of justice, focusing on what they reveal about the reliability of eyewitness evidence. You’ll also consider how these cases have shaped and influenced the way the Criminal Justice System operates today. - Moderators of Witness Memory: You’ll learn about the different factors that can affect how accurate and complete eyewitness accounts are. You’ll distinguish between estimator variables (things we can’t control, like age or stress) and system variables (things we can control, like interview methods). You’ll also see how psychology and policing can work together to improve practice. - Suggestibility and Memory Conformity: You’ll investigate how suggestions, leading questions and social influence can change what people remember. You’ll explore why some individuals are more suggestible than others, and what this means for investigative interviews and legal decision-making. - The Cognitive Interview: You’ll study the different stages of the Cognitive Interview (CI) and the theories behind it. You’ll also evaluate research on how effective the CI is with different groups of witnesses, from children to older adults. - Vulnerable Witnesses and Victims: Children: You’ll examine children’s ability to act as witnesses in criminal cases and evaluate specialist interviewing techniques, such as the NICHD protocol and the Joint Investigative Interviewing framework, which are designed to support children in giving reliable evidence. - Vulnerable Witnesses and Victims: Older Adults: You’ll explore how ageing affects memory and cognition, and what this means for eyewitness testimony. You’ll also critically assess research and theories that explain age-related differences in memory performance. - Identification Evidence: You’ll look at the factors that can make eyewitness identification less reliable and study theories that explain why errors often occur. You’ll also learn about best practice in preparing and conducting fair line-ups to reduce mistakes. - Facial Composite Construction: You’ll explore how facial composites have been created in the past and how modern techniques are used today. You’ll critically evaluate how effective these methods are and apply insights from face recognition research to real-world settings. - False Memories and Recovered Memories: You’ll learn about the research methods used to study false memories and explore the debates around recovered memories. You’ll consider what these findings mean for psychology and the justice system. - Eyewitness Memory in the Courtroom: You’ll examine how cross-examination can affect the credibility and reliability of witnesses. You’ll also look at the special measures available to support vulnerable witnesses in court, and how eyewitness evidence can influence jury decision-making.

In this module, you’ll explore advanced principles and techniques in Forensic Science, building on your existing knowledge and skills. You’ll develop complex practical abilities in recording, searching and examining serious crime scenes, such as those involving sexual offences, vehicle crime, terrorism or bomb disposal. You’ll also be introduced to more advanced evidence collection methods, including the chemical development of finger-marks, giving you the chance to apply specialist techniques used by forensic professionals. Indicative Content - Approach to Scene Investigation: You’ll learn about the key roles, responsibilities and legal considerations involved in managing a crime scene. This includes how to protect the scene, coordinate activities, and oversee the process from the first assessment through to its conclusion. - Scene Examination and Searching: You’ll explore systematic methods for searching and examining crime scenes, including points of entry. You’ll develop skills in using light sources and photography, and practise fingerprinting techniques such as powdering, ninhydrin and cyanoacrylates. You’ll also study fingerprint identification and classification (ACE-V), and apply your knowledge to case studies involving fire scenes, vehicle crime, firearms discharge and sexual offences. - Advanced Enhancement Techniques: You’ll apply advanced techniques to enhance latent marks, using chemical and lighting methods. You’ll also learn how to select the most appropriate visualisation techniques for different surfaces and materials. - Report Writing: You’ll develop the skills to produce professional reports that record evidence found at a scene and present it effectively in court. You’ll follow the journey of evidence from the crime scene through to courtroom presentation, gaining insight into the importance of accuracy and clarity in forensic reporting.

This core BPS psychology module takes you on a journey through human development across the entire lifespan. You’ll explore key theories, research methods and real-world data that explain how people grow, change and adapt from birth through to older age. By the end, you’ll have a strong foundation in understanding the psychological processes that shape our lives, preparing you for further study and applied practice Indicative Content - Biological Basis of Development; Theories and Milestones : You’ll explore how the brain develops before and after birth, how it matures through childhood, and the biological processes that underpin ageing. You’ll also look at key theories and milestones that help explain human growth across the lifespan. - How to Study Development?: You’ll be introduced to the main research designs and approaches used to study development, giving you the tools to understand how psychologists investigate change over time. - Infancy: You’ll learn about the methods used to study infant development and explore how babies grow physically, think and remember, begin to develop language, and form early social and emotional bonds. - Early Childhood: You’ll examine how children develop physically and cognitively during the early years, including how language skills emerge. You’ll also explore social, emotional and moral development, and the methods researchers use to study this stage of life. - Middle Childhood : You’ll investigate the physical and cognitive changes that occur in middle childhood, as well as how children build friendships and navigate peer relationships. You’ll also explore emotional and moral development during this stage. - Adolescence: You’ll study the physical and cognitive changes that take place during adolescence, alongside the social and emotional challenges that shape this important stage of development. - Adulthood: You’ll explore the biological, cognitive and social changes that occur in middle adulthood. You’ll also look at theories and research on midlife transitions, including the idea of a ‘midlife crisis’. - Ageing: You’ll examine the biological, cognitive and social changes that take place in later life. Topics include models of cognitive decline, emotional and personality changes, dementia, death and longevity, helping you understand the complexities of ageing.

In this module, you’ll build on the research methods and analysis skills you developed in your first two years. You’ll deepen your understanding of experimental design, explore both quantitative and qualitative approaches, and start preparing for your own independent project. By the end, you’ll feel confident applying these techniques to real psychological research. Indicative Content - Analysis of Variance: You’ll start by revising variance and one-way ANOVA before moving on to more advanced designs, including factorial ANOVA (within, between and mixed designs). You’ll learn how to interpret main effects and interactions, and how to explore these further using multiple comparison techniques (both planned and post-hoc). In practical sessions, you’ll design and carry out a study, collect data, and use ANOVA to analyse your results—then write this up as part of your coursework. - Regression : You’ll explore how multiple predictors can be used to explain or predict outcomes through multiple linear regression. You’ll also be introduced to other regression models, giving you a broader understanding of how these techniques are applied in psychological research. - Qualitative Methods of Data Collection and Analysis: You’ll learn the theory behind qualitative methods and how to apply them in practice. This includes designing strong research questions, coding data from text and visual sources, and using techniques such as content and thematic analysis. You’ll work with real textual data (for example, interview transcripts) to carry out your own qualitative analysis, which will form part of your assessed report. - Experimental Design: You’ll examine the key issues involved in designing experiments, including how to identify limitations, define research questions, test hypotheses and operationalise variables. You’ll also learn about Type I and II errors, effect sizes and statistical power, helping you design studies that are both rigorous and reliable. - Laboratory Skills: You’ll receive hands-on training in advanced statistical software, building the skills you need to analyse data with confidence. Regular lab sessions will help you strengthen your research abilities and prepare you to work independently as a researcher. - Project Proposal Plan and Ethics Submission: You’ll create a project proposal plan to submit for feedback from your supervisor. With their guidance, you’ll then develop this into a full research proposal for ethical review, ready for your final-year project. Along the way, you’ll apply your research design and analysis skills, while also learning how to identify and address ethical issues in psychological research. - Research Skills: Writing and Work Management: You’ll develop your ability to communicate research clearly in both written and spoken form. This includes using academic literature effectively, reporting and interpreting findings, and writing in APA style. You’ll also build practical skills such as setting goals, managing your workload, preparing agendas, and working productively with your supervisor. Principles of Open Science will also be introduced here. - Principles of Open Science: You’ll explore the key principles of Open Science, including issues such as HARKing and p-hacking, and learn about pre-registration as a way of making research more transparent and trustworthy.

In this module, you’ll take charge of your own independent research project – from designing and carrying out the study to analysing your findings. You’ll also present your research, building confidence in sharing your ideas with others. Throughout the process, you’ll be supported and guided as you prepare for your honours project, developing the skills you’ll need to succeed. Indicative Content - Working with a Supervisor: You’ll learn how to get the most out of supervision by preparing effectively for meetings, setting clear goals, and evaluating your progress. You’ll also build confidence as an independent learner while making the best use of your supervisor’s guidance. - Becoming an Effective Researcher: You’ll develop the skills to critically evaluate your own ideas, identify strong research questions, and connect your work to existing literature. You’ll also explore ethical issues in research and learn how to address them responsibly. - Participating in the Research Community: You’ll immerse yourself in academic literature, practise organising research materials, and keep accurate records. Where relevant, you’ll gain experience in meeting with outside agencies and learn how to communicate your findings clearly to participants and peers. - Design and Procedure: You’ll explore methodological issues and analysis techniques, while also recognising the limitations of certain statistical approaches. You’ll practise pilot work, design experimental materials, and ensure your ideas are testable, while learning how to overcome common implementation challenges. - Data: You’ll develop the skills to collect data efficiently, maintain accurate records, and ensure your data is ready for analysis. You’ll learn how to analyse and interpret results appropriately, maintain confidentiality, and present your findings in a clear and professional way. - Communicating Results: You’ll practise writing in APA format, editing and reviewing your own work, and linking your findings to existing literature. You’ll also gain experience in presenting your project’s main findings orally, building confidence in sharing your research. - Presentation Skills: You’ll learn how to organise material effectively and use multimedia tools to enhance your presentations. You’ll also work on personal confidence, clarity, and delivery skills such as audibility, modulation, and diction in public speaking. - Personal Development Planning (PDP): You’ll reflect on your learning, skills, and experiences to build employability awareness and prepare for postgraduate study or the workplace. You’ll also consider transferable skills, CV development, and the importance of psychological literacy. - Writing Skills: You’ll develop a mature and confident writing style, using the correct editorial format for research projects. You’ll also practise proofreading and troubleshooting common writing challenges to strengthen the quality of your work.

In this module, you’ll take an integrative and holistic approach to applying forensic science in complex cases. You’ll develop your cognitive skills through critical analysis, deductive and inductive reasoning, and conceptual understanding. You’ll also learn how to interpret evidence and present your findings effectively, preparing you to tackle challenging forensic casework with confidence. Indicative Content - Contemporary Practice: You’ll explore the professional environment in which forensic scientists work and the expectations placed on them. This includes understanding opinion evidence, applying probability concepts in case assessment, and interpreting evidence using the Case Assessment and Interpretation (CAI) model alongside databases. You’ll also develop key communication skills, such as writing expert witness statements and presenting evidence effectively in court. - Practical Case Study: You’ll apply your forensic science knowledge and skills to a realistic case study. This involves identifying, obtaining, analysing, interpreting, and evaluating evidence before presenting your findings in a moot court setting, giving you valuable experience of how forensic science is used in practice.

In this module, you’ll build on what you’ve already learned about cognitive psychology and take your understanding to the next level. You’ll explore key processes such as attention, perception, decision-making, memory, and language, and see how these play out in real-world settings. From education and healthcare to economics, security, policy-making, and even the justice system, you’ll discover how psychology shapes everyday life and professional practice Indicative Content - Historical and Conceptual Issues: You’ll revisit key cognitive models in psychology and explore how they shape our current understanding of the field. You’ll also review examples of where cognitive psychology has been applied successfully – and where it hasn’t – linking this to the idea of ecological validity and how research translates into real-world contexts. - Visual Perception: You’ll refresh your knowledge of models of visual perception and recognition, while also looking at how other senses influence cognition. You’ll apply this to real-world issues, such as how sensory stimulation can change cognitive processes, or how theories of motor control help explain conditions like Parkinson’s disease. - Attention: You’ll study models of visuo-spatial and executive attention, and explore the role of executive functions. You’ll also consider whether these functions can be trained or improved through activities such as dance, music, or gaming. - Cognitive Biases in Decision Making: You’ll examine how we make decisions, the cognitive biases we’re prone to, and why they occur. You’ll connect this to ethical considerations and to Behavioural Economics/nudge theory, exploring how policymakers use these ideas to encourage healthier choices and better public outcomes. - Memory: You’ll explore different types of long-term memory, including semantic, episodic, declarative, and non-declarative memory. You’ll learn about associative networks and priming, and apply this knowledge to forensic and therapeutic settings. You’ll also consider ethical issues, such as the debate around repressed memories and whether it’s acceptable to create false memories in research. - Language and Multilingualism: You’ll investigate the cognitive processes involved in storing and using multiple languages. You’ll explore how we define languages and dialects, and what this means for categorising bilinguals and monolinguals. You’ll also connect this to real-world contexts such as education, speech and language therapy, and language assessment.