University of Cape Town is launching a new MSc (Med) (Biomedical Forensic Science) in 2012. This is a first for any South African University and a qualification sorely needed in South Africa. Graduates will be part of a selected group of Scientists with advanced training, laboratory and legal expertise who can manage and develop forensic laboratories as well as conduct high impact research.  As is well-known, there is a dearth of forensic scientists in the country and while the state forensic science laboratories are trying to cope with the workload, the staff seldom has the time or the training to conduct high quality scientific research.  There is a definite need to establish forensic research units in the various disciplines that constitute the complex field of forensics. Tertiary institutions are ideally suited to conduct such high impact research and train these much needed scientists.

The programme UCT will be launching in 2012 is an integrated, multidisciplinary Master’s course and will address the lack of post graduate trained forensic scientists as well as provide the foundation for research in this field from a South African perspective.

Admission requirements: BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology or Physical Anthropology, Human Genetics or an approved alternative 4-years BSc (or equivalent) or expert in field (RPL)

Length: 2 years Full Time or 4 years Part Time

Purpose:

• To equip students with advanced scientific knowledge, laboratory and legal expertise and leadership skills at an MSc level. • To equip students with research skills to contribute to the national and international body of research in laboratories, death and crime scenes.

Modules:

Forensic Pathology: cause of death; theories of crime and victimisation; criminal justice system; expert witness testifying.

Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology: retrieval and study of human remains;  decomposition of soft and hard tissue; archaeological protocols;identification of age, sex and biographic features of human skeletons.

Forensic Toxicology: appropriate toxicological specimen collection; transport, preparation, analysis of most major toxic agents; reporting on findings.

Molecular Forensics: DNA analysis of crime scenes; quality assurance in molecular forensic laboratories; knowledge to provide expert molecular testimony; microbial pathogenesis and bioterrorism.

Applied Forensic Science: integrate and apply knowledge gained to case simulations from a crime or death scene through to the courtroom appearance.

Quantitative Research Methodology: prepare research proposals; use quantitative methods; cooperate as a team in research protocol development.

Minor Research Dissertation: select a topic in which he/she has a particular interest.

Click here for more information, or if you interested in applying for this MSc, please contact Dr Marise Heynsat UCT on marise.heyns@uct.ac.za or tel (021) 406 6604.

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