Introduction

Cybercrime Forensics is a continuously evolving discipline that addresses the increasing use of computer technology in criminal activity. Students face challenges of both understanding complex ICT technologies and the principles and practices of criminal investigation. They must have the ability to research continually and develop this rapidly changing discipline to be effective.

All crime scenes are unique and potentially present new challenges to the investigator. This is reflected in the very practical nature of modules in this award and by the development of comprehensive plans to handle situations. There is every expectation that successful completion of this award will result in career progression including into senior management roles.

This is a taught HE Level 7 extension programme. Currently this is offered as a closed part-time programme to Law Enforcement Officers only. The programme is delivered in collaboration with the High Tech Crime Training Unit of the National Policing Improvement Agency, Wyboston. The Department offers MSc Forensic Computing degrees to those who are not employed in the UK Law Enforcement.
 

Awards

Postgraduate Certificate in Cybercrime Forensics (60 credits)

Postgraduate Diploma in Cybercrime Forensics (120 credits)

MSc in Cybercrime Forensics (180 credits)

Programme Structure

The first 120 credit taught components up to Postgraduate Diploma in Cybercrime Forensics award are normally taken by part-time students in two years. The MSc Cybercrime Forensics components (Research Skills and the Individual Project) will normally be taken in year three.

Teaching is in the form of lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical workshops. Modules are assessed by coursework and viva voce examination.
 

Outline Module Content

The module content has been carefully chosen:

• to equip students with the skill sets to assist in the investigation of a crime which involves the use of IT equipment and acquaint them with the legal, ethical and professional considerations which must be taken into account
• to enable crime scene examiners to recover and interrogate evidence more effectively
• to enable the assembly of evidence for a court that is clear and supportive of evidential needs

Postgraduate Certificate in Cybercrime Forensics

• Ethical, Professional and Legal Considerations (10 Credits)
• Case Studies in Cybercrime Forensics (10 Credits)
  and either
• Core Skills in Data Recovery and Analysis (20 Credits)
  or
• Core Skills for Network Investigations (20 Credits)

Plus 20 credits of optional modules taken from*:

• High Tech Crime Scene Searching (10 Credits)
• Applied NTFS Forensics (10 Credits)
• Researching, Identifying and Tracing the Electronics Suspect (10 Credits)
• High Tech Crime Manager’s Workshop (10 Credits)
• Core Skills in Mobile Phone Forensics (10 Credits)

Postgraduate Diploma in Cybercrime Forensics

• Cryptography (20 Credits)

And 40 credits of optional modules taken from*:

• Applied NTFS Forensics (10 Credits)
• Advanced Internet Forensic Traces (20 Credits)
• Linux Forensics (10 Credits)
• High Tech Crime Manager’s Workshop (10 Credits)
• Core Skills in Mobile Phone Forensics (10 Credits)

*Applicants who have successfully completed the following 7-Safe modules and corresponding assignments set and assessed by the University of Glamorgan may apply for credit exemptions using the APL/APEL procedures:

• CFIA Forensic Artefacts Hands-On (10 Credits)
• CSTA Ethical Haching Hands-On (10 Credits)
• CSTP Ethical Haching Hands-On 2 (10 Credits)
• WiFi Security Hands-On (10 Credits)

Also available for law enforcement officers the additional optional module include:

• Covert Internet Investigations (20 Credits)

MSc in Cybercrime Forensics

• Research Skills (20 Credits)
• Individual Project (40 Credits)

Entry Requirements

Applicants will typically be at the level of a good honours degree, second class or higher, or equivalent. Those who do not possess a degree, but can nonetheless show the abilities that would meet learning outcomes similar to a degree would be able to enter the programme by demonstrating:

Significant Professional Experience – where an applicant has significant previous professional experience working in the police force (five years or more);

Professional Experience plus lower level qualifications – an applicant with three or more years professional working experience with post A-level qualifications (e.g. HND, NVQ, police professional qualifications, etc);

Professional Experience plus IT/Cybercrime Technical Courses – an applicant with three or more years professional experience in the police force with subject specific technical courses.

For information on Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) for programme entry and credit exemption, please refer to guidelines and procedures available here.

Fees

Up to date fee information is available here.

How to Apply

An application form can be downloaded here.

For further information please contact:

Dr Abhaya Induruwa
Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 1QU

Telephone: 01227 782396
Email: abhaya.induruwa@canterbury.ac.uk 

There is no deadline for applications. Students can join at any time convenient to them.

Department of Computing