The Course

Incipient investigators can sharpen up their detective skills with this one-year course. Eight online modules will introduce beginners to the murky world of scientific criminal study. They’ll cover the use of DNA, crime scene analysis and fingerprinting, with each module accompanied by a set of case studies featuring famous killers. The final modules will take learners through the history and modern methods of psychological profiling, from types of criminal to behavioural evidence analysis. Students can access technical support Monday to Friday, and will come away with an Online Academies certificate of completion.

Modules

Module One

Introduction to forensic science

The history of forensic science from 3rd Century BC

Discoveries in the field of forensic science

Module Two

Forensics

What is DNA?

Mitochondrial DNA

DNA and the law

Amplified DNA

Operation Phoenix

The Royal family of Russia

Case studies

Robert Melias

Colin Pitchfork

The Murder of Helen McCourt

The Murder of Leanne Tiernan

Jules Mikus 2001 - New Zealand

The Murder of Hyo Jung Jin

Module Three

The history of fingerprints

Forensic footwear

Ear prints

Palm prints

Module Four

Forensic odontology

Hair

Trace evidence - fibres

Case studies

The Salem Witch Trials

Ted Bundy

The Chi Omega Murders

Napoleon Bonaparte - suspicious death?

John Vollman

The Murder of Ruby Annie Keen

Module Five

Crime scene – murder

Chemical pollution at the scene of a crime

The autopsy

Positional asphyxia/postural asphyxia

Saponification/adipocere

Decomposition

Case studies

Patrick Higgins

Module Six

Poisons

Poisoners

The Marsh Test

Doctors who kill

Case studies

The Case of Charles LeFarge

Dr. Pierre Marie Bougrat

Dr Harold Shipman

Michael Swango

Module Seven

Psychological profiling including a brief history of profiling

Early Profilers- Kirk 1900

1950’s Ernst Kretschmer

Dr James Brussel

Serial killers

FBI six stages of profiling

Investigated psychology using five factors

Behavioural evidence analysis

Case studies

New York Pipe Bomber

Jack the Ripper

Module eight

A profile of the organized perpetrator /offender

The disorganized asocial offender

Types of rapists

Profiling

Victimology

Case studies

The Suffolk Strangler a.k.a. The Ipswich Ripper - disorganised serial killer

David Berkowitz

Robert Hanssen

Jerome Brudos - lust killer

Andrei Chikatilo

##The Merchant Online Academies provides distance learning opportunities in a range of disciplines to allow pupils to study when and where they want. Courses range from animal care and calligraphy to garden design, working with all kind of student from children to wedding planners. Courses generally do not set strict academic criteria for involvement, with tutor support available to students via email.