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. A hard copy of course material can also be sent through to students for a £50 surcharge.

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.