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COMP42010

Academic Year 2026/2027

Forensic Cell Site Analysis (COMP42010)

Subject:
Computer Science
College:
Science
School:
Computer Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Nhien An Le Khac
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Online
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This course will introduce students to a wide variety of sources containing geolocation data. Students will learn about cell site analysis (CSA), beginning with an overview of telecommunications architecture, sources of a user’s personal information, call detail records (CDRs), device GPS data, tower dump data and so forth. We will also cover CDR information that is available for vehicles. Additionally, other vehicle geolocation evidence will be discussed in detail, from automated number plate recognition (ANPR), to vehicle telemetry, to vehicle infotainment systems, to digital license (number) plates. The course will also provide information about how to analyse and visually represent geolocation data. Additional sources of geolocation data will also be discussed, including drones, ankle monitors, mobile apps and social media, digital photos, Wi-Fi, etc. Finally, the legal process to acquire this data and potential privacy concerns will be covered.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:

1. Understand the scope of geolocation data for investigations.
2. Acquire a basic understanding of cell site analysis.
3. Learn about mapping geolocation data for investigative analysis and for trial.
4. Understand new sources of geolocation evidence and how to legally acquire that data.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Small Group

8
Autonomous Student Learning

172
Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
active/task-based learning;
lectures;
critical writing;
reflective learning;
enquiry & problem-based learning;

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Quiz 1 Week 2 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
4
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Quiz 2 Week 4 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
4
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment 1 Week 5 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Quiz 3 Week 6 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
4
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Quiz 4 Week 8 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
4
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment 2 Week 9 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Quiz 5 Week 10 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
4
 No
Exam (In-person): In-person, computer-based exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
60
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

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