University Master in Forensic Sciences

Forensic Sciences, that is, the application of scientific methods to legal questions, are an exciting, complex and multidisciplinary field of study. They use scientific principles (chemical, physical, biological, etc.) as well as social and legal sciences for the resolution of legal cases. They are a rapidly evolving discipline that is becoming increasingly important in the scientific and legal fields. This has to do, on the one hand, with the increasing number of cases of violence, voluntary or not, generating conflicts, frequently involving judicial resolutions, and, on the other hand, the increasing demand from the different instances that They intervene in the judicial system, regarding the rigor and security of the scientific evidence produced.

The complexity of the issues linked to the tests and their obtaining gives prominence to Forensic Sciences and its multidisciplinary nature. There are a wide variety of fields of interest in relation to Forensic Sciences, from the research in the practice of dating corpses through sarcoprophagous fauna or pollen or ficological valuation to the most advanced technologies of vocal identification or analytical techniques.

Master's file

Justification

The Universidad de Murcia teaching the Official Master's Degree in Forensic Sciences since the 2020/2021 academic year; In addition to adapting to current regulations, this proposal for an Official Master's Degree in Forensic Sciences involves expanding from 60 to 90 ECTS credits and a double orientation: professional and investigative.

Forensic Sciences, that is, the application of scientific methods to legal questions, are an exciting, complex and multidisciplinary field of study. They use scientific principles (chemical, physical, biological, etc.) as well as social and legal sciences for the resolution of legal cases. They are a rapidly evolving discipline that is becoming increasingly important in the scientific and legal fields. This has to do, on the one hand, with the increasing number of cases of violence, voluntary or not, generating conflicts, frequently involving judicial resolutions, and, on the other hand, the increasing demand from the different instances that They intervene in the judicial system, regarding the rigor and security of the scientific evidence produced.

The complexity of the issues linked to the tests and their obtaining gives prominence to Forensic Sciences and its multidisciplinary nature. There are a wide variety of fields of interest in relation to Forensic Sciences, from the research in the practice of dating corpses through sarcoprophagous fauna or pollen or ficological valuation to the most advanced technologies of vocal identification or analytical techniques.

The program focuses on advanced physical, chemical, biological, geological and sanitary methods and techniques applicable to forensic analysis, along with the obligations of forensic scientists. Students will become familiar with, among others, the usual separation techniques, spectroscopy, microscopic procedures, vocal analysis, as well as blood and DNA analysis methods. Thus, it offers students, from different disciplines, the opportunity to acquire skills to understand and apply emerging technologies and provide reliable evaluations of the evidence and testimonies in the judicial system. It influences the presentation of evidence as experts, which requires students to become expert analysts and develop oral and written communication skills in the forensic field.

The environment of influence is that of the Universidad de Murcia , which we can confine to the region itself and the neighboring ones, as well as that of various Spanish-speaking universities with which there are collaboration agreements, through which studies such as those proposed. The data on the requests for information, as well as the origin of the current students of the Master in Forensic Sciences, support this. Also the absence of studies similar to those proposed in this master's degree in the aforementioned environment of influence, coupled with the need to respond, from the university level, to the growing demand by the judicial bodies for highly specialized professionals who they have the mission of collaborating with justice, which already justifies its implantation.

Given that our program is aimed at professionals related to the field of Forensic Sciences, including Biologists, Veterinarians, Doctors, Pharmacists, Chemists, Criminologists, Dentists, etc., a high-level scientific-technical training in the theoretical and practical bases that allow the development of various activities related to forensic practice. The interest is that the program provides an offer that covers almost all the important aspects related to Forensic Sciences. Among the students trained in the program will undoubtedly be the germ of scientific research and of professionals capable of carrying out their work in the forensic field, either in official instances or in private consultancies, so that the technical aspects and the practical training will be of great interest.

On the other hand, in the Autonomous Community of Murcia, the creation of the Regional Institute of Forensic Sciences is being planned, in which our university will undoubtedly have a notable presence, and this master's degree can represent one of the pillars of this collaboration. It is foreseeable the collaboration of numerous related organizations such as the Professional Colleges, Security Forces, Penitentiary Institutions, Laboratories, Judicial Power, Civil Protection and Emergencies, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health and Consumption, both of the Autonomous Community of Murcia, Victims Associations, Foundations, etc. This collaboration will be carried out through the appropriate agreements and collaboration agreements, which will include the participation as teachers of the master of qualified professionals from some of the aforementioned organizations and also contemplate the possibility of carrying out the Practicum by future students in their installations.

The influence that all this future infrastructure (both teaching and that of the Regional Institute) will have on a socioeconomic scale in our Autonomous Region is evident. Just as an example, it should be noted that many of the expert techniques that could be demanded have sufficient technological development in our university, and can be put at the service of society, with the consequent adaptation of the available means. We also have highly qualified teachers and researchers in charge of applying the aforementioned techniques.

There are both national and international references that support our proposal. Thus, in our country, this type of study has had a punctual, almost testimonial representation, although under the old concept of Master as an unregulated postgraduate study. It is true that certain institutions (University of Florida) have incorporated study programs in the recent past, in relation to some more or less specific aspects of Forensic Sciences, and that other Universities, such as Murcia, developed a Master's in Forensic Sciences of a highly interdisciplinary nature. Besides, the Autonomous University of Catalonia has proposed a Master in Legal Psychology and Forensic Psychological Expertise, which delves into one of the aspects of Forensic Sciences. But beyond this, at the moment, unless we know of, there are no other initiatives in this regard.

In the international context, although there is a growing trend towards the consideration of integrated, interdisciplinary studies, related to Forensic Sciences, depending on centers of various kinds (Faculty of Sciences, Strathclyde, UK, Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, School of Sciences Lausanne Criminals, Institutes of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Istanbul), the study of Forensic Sciences is not excessively established in the European territory (in fact, the University of Strathclyde affirms that its Forensic Sciences Unit is the only one of its kind in the EU that has a teaching on the wide field of such Sciences), although the influence of the structure of studies in the USA, where Forensic Sciences are extremely well established, augurs a notable boom for this type of studies. In fact, there are already forensic scientists in Europe, specialized in different fields, who freely practice their profession. As an example, it is worth mentioning that forensic laboratories dedicated to DNA typing must be supervised by personnel with a minimum degree of Master of Forensic Sciences (in the USA).

For all these reasons, we understand that the implementation of this training program will be of great interest in coming to fill a gap in the training of potential professionals and researchers in a complex area in great expansion. External professionals are involved in the program, as well as groups of researchers whose work focuses on some of the aspects of Forensic Sciences, some of which have been collaborating for years and whose scientific work has materialized in contributions to national and international conferences. , scientific articles, books, doctoral theses, etc.

goals

The proposed Master aims that students achieve specialized training that covers a wide spectrum of scientific disciplines applied to forensic practice so that they can be part of interdisciplinary teams in their future professional or investigator. However, given the multidisciplinary nature of potential students, the Master will allow greater specialization in those subjects and areas of study more in line with the initial training of each one through the Master's Final Project.

Two different profiles are proposed to be followed, optionally, by the student. The professional profile aims, through the completion of external internships (Practicum), to bring you into direct contact with the reality of the practice of the different disciplines in their application to forensic practice. On the other hand, the research profile, anticipated in part in the different subjects common to the Master, will be complemented with a subject in which the research aspect is delved into the fundamental core of the CC. Forensics, its most specific principles and procedures, to train future researchers in Forensic Sciences.

The Study Plan of this Master's Degree takes into account that any professional activity must be carried out

• From the respect to the fundamental rights and equality between men and women, should be included, in the curricula where appropriate, teachings related to said rights.
• From the respect and promotion of Human Rights and the principles of universal accessibility and design for all in accordance with the provisions of the tenth final provision of Law 51/2003, of December 2, on Equal opportunities, non-discrimination and accessibility universal of people with disabilities, and should include, in the curricula where appropriate, teachings related to these rights and principles.
• In accordance with the values of a culture of peace and democratic values, and should include, in the curricula where appropriate, teachings related to these values.

Competencies

The competencies can be distinguished between the basic competences that must be achieved in any Master's degree in the new Spanish Framework for Higher Education and those specific to the Master's Degree in Forensic Sciences.

The following basic competences will be guaranteed as a minimum, and those others that appear in the Spanish Framework of Qualifications for Higher Education (MECES). The basic competencies of this study plan allow and guarantee that students:

• That students know how to apply the knowledge acquired and their ability to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of ​​study.
• That students are able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of making judgments based on information that, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments.
• That the students know how to communicate their conclusions –and the knowledge and ultimate reasons that support them- to specialized and non-specialized audiences in a clear way and without symbiguities.
• That students have the learning skills that allow them to continue studying in a way that will be largely self-directed or autonomous.

On the other hand, the study plan guarantees the acquisition of the following specific competences, required to grant the Master's Degree in Forensic Sciences:

• Ability to recognize and interpret expert evidence.
• Ability to recognize and indicate the professional profile of those who must carry out a specific expertise within a multidisciplinary work team.
• Ability to manage information (consult databases and relevant and specialized publications) in the field of Forensic Sciences and understand the problem to be addressed in a specific case.
• Ability to solve, within the scope of your specific training, the expert problems that arise.
• Know the legal framework that regulates the application of the test in any of the areas of Law.
• Discern between the main analysis and evaluation techniques applicable to the field of expert evidence and design, where appropriate, analytical and study procedures.
• Know the foundations and principles that govern the preparation of an expert report in the field of Forensic Sciences.
• Know the basic and applied research methods in the field of Forensic Sciences.
• Acquire skills and abilities in relation to the appropriate techniques for the different types of forensic evidence.
• Conduct themselves under ethical principles in the development of the activity in the field of Forensic Sciences.

Specific competences that students must acquire in the professional itinerary

• Ability to prepare an expert report in the field of Forensic Sciences and present and defend it in the appropriate forums.
• Ability to prepare contradictory expert opinions.

Specific competences that students must acquire in the research itinerary

• Ability to design and evaluate specific investigation methods in the field of Forensic Sciences.
• Design and develop a research project in the field of Forensic Sciences.

Graduation profile

After completing the master's degree, graduates will have acquired training and skills to carry out professional work related to the forensic field, either in official instances or in private consultancies. They will also be able to join a doctoral program as researchers in training, for the completion of a doctoral thesis.

A teaching institution of higher education that has infrastructure for teaching and research of international excellence. An innovative, dynamic, responsible university committed to its environment, which does not forget its historical roots.

Mission, vision and values of the Universidad de Murcia

The Mission of the university outlines its purpose or reason for being, and its Vision reflects what it wants to become in the future, the perspective of the University in the long term.

The Universidad de Murcia is a public institution of Higher Education with an international scope of action. Its purpose is to contribute to the development of society, acting as a dynamic agent in cooperation with the other social agents. Its main activities focus on the development of Research, Training, Knowledge Transfer, and Cultural Dissemination, applying innovation and continuous improvement processes to all of them, with the purpose of achieving a high level of quality of results, visible through a clear transparency policy.

Its main values, included in the Code of Ethics of the Universidad de Murcia , are Commitment, Dialogue, Respect and Responsibility:

• The Commitment demands to assume the objectives of the University and adopt to achieve these goals a good administration and management, enhancing university social responsibility, overcoming personal and corporate selfishness to engage with others in university tasks and in solving common problems.
• The Dialogue implies the willingness to coordinate reasonably and reasonably with others to cooperate effectively taking into account the positioning, interests or situation of each one, with the purpose of peacefully solving those seeking the right balance and consensus.
• Respect implies treating all people with impartiality, deference and consideration, avoiding discrimination for reasons beyond their merits and avoiding prejudices, according to the consideration of the equal dignity of every human being as a supreme value.
• Responsibility consists in honestly assuming one's own duties and obligations, and being willing to give an account of this to whomever corresponds, acting in accordance with the ethical principles personally assumed, being key elements goodwill, coherence and exemplary practice.

These values are in turn identified with the defense and promotion of Human Rights, universal accessibility, equality between men and women, the culture of peace and democratic values, participation, interdisciplinarity, pluralism, defense of the environment. and sustainability.

10 reasons to choose the UMU

1. Why UMU?

Centennial University strategically positioned in the present and prepared for the future

The Universidad de Murcia (UMU) is an international institution with more than one hundred years old, whose origins date back to the thirteenth century. It has more than 30,000 students (2,000 of them international), 3,000 researchers and professors and more than 1,200 administration employees.

2. Multidisciplinary offer of studies

60 degrees, 72 masters and 36 doctorates

The UMU is a public and comprehensive university that offers 60 degree programs - 5 double degrees -, 72 master's degrees and 36 doctoral degrees in the fields of Arts and Humanities, Engineering, Health Sciences, Sciences, Social Sciences and Law.

3. Bet on quality education

Quality recognition in university centers and services

The Universidad de Murcia focuses on academic excellence and plays a very important role in research (350 research groups, 4 institutes and research centers), teaching and innovation in all areas of knowledge. In addition, it works closely with national and international companies.

4. Leading the way in digital technology, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

Leading European Commission projects for research and innovation in cybersecurity

It offers a wide range of services, such as "Lola Chatbot", with artificial intelligence to help students choose their studies and answer questions in the admission process.

5. Connection with the labor market

More than 75% of students get an occupation after finishing the degree

UMU students have the opportunity to pursue intellectual development as well as to acquire professional skills.

6. University open to the world, with more than 2,000 students making international mobility plans

7 bilingual Spanish-English programs and students of more than 50 nationalities

Our institution offers 4 degree courses in English (Law, Business Management and Administration, Primary Education, and English Studies), and 3 postgraduate programs (Biology and Technology of Mammalian Reproduction, New Technologies in Computer Science, and Physics).

7. Satisfaction of international students

Located among the best rated universities in Europe by students

The International Welcome Point at the UMU (International Welcome Point - IWP) provides information on issues such as the admission procedure, obtaining accommodation and legalization.

8. Commitment to society

Attention to diversity and equal opportunities between women and men

UMU is the second university in Spain that integrates a greater number of students with disabilities. Through its Service of Attention to Diversity and Volunteering, it participates in the "Inclusive Campus Program: Campus without limits" funded by the Government of Spain, ONCE and the REPSOL Foundation.

9. Commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Project best valued in terms of sustainable development

ODSessions is the project that the Universidad de Murcia is developing for the promotion and awareness of the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations. Until April 2021, the UMU will dedicate one month to each of these objectives with dissemination, recreational, training and solidarity activities.

10. Murcia, a city for students

Quality of life in a unique environment in the Mediterranean

Located in the southeast of Spain, the city of Murcia benefits from an excellent location, low cost of living and a great variety in the cultural and tourist offer. In its squares and terraces you can discover a quiet and friendly city for students. With about half a million inhabitants, it is the seventh city in Spain.

Ethical code

In order to transform the University into the most fair and honest version possible, the Code of Ethics of the Universidad de Murcia was approved in 2016, prepared after a process in which all the groups that are part of it collaborated.

The four fundamental values on which it is based, Commitment, Dialogue, Respect and Responsibility, should guide all the actions and relationships of the university community. Therefore, it is our priority to disseminate the Code of Ethics at all levels of the Universidad de Murcia , also seeking their full understanding and implementation.

Its effective compliance will be supervised by the Code of Ethics Monitoring Commission (CSCE), established on September 4, 2018. This is made up of people from different areas of the university community and experts:

• Antonio José Carrasco Hernández. Campus Infrastructure Coordinator
• Carmen Sánchez Trigueros. Director of the Unit for Equality between Women and Men
• Emilio Martínez Navarro. Responsible for the elaboration of the Code of Ethics
• Francisco Esquembre Martínez. Vice Chancellor for Research and Transfer
• José Antonio Cascales Saseta. Manager
• José Ramón Salcedo Hernández. Director of the Bioright Law Master: Law, Ethics and Science
• Juan José Vera Martínez. University Advocate
• Longinos Marín Rives. Vice Chancellor for Social Responsibility and Transparency
• Bald Pigeon. Vice Chancellor of Students and Services to the University Community
• José Miguel Rojo Martínez. Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Student Council of the Universidad de Murcia

Since its creation, the CSCE has organized both virtual and physical distribution of the Code of Ethics. Currently, all the buildings of the Universidad de Murcia , not only the faculties, but also those destined for the staff, have one or two dispensers with copies of the Code of Ethics, which are being replaced.

In addition, all the new workers of the Universidad de Murcia now receive the Code of Ethics in the Human Resources Area.

Other actions related to the dissemination of the Code of Ethics have been the giving of lectures on it to new students of some Faculties that required it, by Professor Emilio Martínez Navarro, or the appointment of classrooms as the values of the Code of Ethics, such as the Respect Room of the Faculty of Sports Sciences.