Course Catalogue

Justice Studies

Develop knowledge and understanding of the investigative process in a range of operational contexts. Develop practical solutions to provide effective policing methods in this area whilst furthering their own competence within the pathway.

Outline Syllabus:Relevant legislation. Initial assessment and management of potential vulnerabilities of victim(s)/witness(es)/suspect(s). Additional strategies that may be required to support the investigation. Use of media, mass screening etc. Community considerations. Briefing and de-briefing using recognised national formats. Recording the tasking of others, including experts or specialist advisors. Conducting and prioritising fast-track responses in an auditable and retrievable format. Role of internal specialists, including: • Crime Scene Investigator • Digital or traditional forensics • Digital Media Investigator • Financial Investigator • Senior Investigating Officer • Firearms Covert methods and their use in an investigation. Role of coroner. Offender management – Guns and gangs. Impact on and Support required for victims, including therapeutic support, consent issues and maintaining on-going support throughout the investigation. The Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Process. Welfare of self and others during an investigation Role of the CPS, early engagement and pre-trial case conferences. Social Media. Police and the Community. Role of the press officer/corporate communications. Effective engagement with the Media. Interviews of suspects in custody Interview of witnesses

Additional Information:Lectures will deliver the knowledge components to students. Directed study will reinforce areas. Workshops will provide opportunities to apply knowledge to scenarios and simulations. Where relevant and appropriate the concept of evidence based policing will be introduced and its relevance in this context explained. There will also be reference to the College of Policing 'What Works' facility. National Policing Curriculum Indicative Content Police Investigations 1.1 Relevant legislation, including legislation applicable in specific areas (e.g. Proceeds of Crime Act 2002) 1.2 Powers applicable to investigations, including: • Entry powers • Powers of arrest • Search powers • Powers of seizure including legal privilege • S8 warrants 1.3 Definitions of 'criminal investigations' and 'investigator' 1.4 Ethical considerations when conducting investigations 1.5 Evidence base behind investigative concepts 1.6 Knowledge and skills required 1.7 Investigative mind-set 1.8 Principles of an investigation: • Preserve life • Preserve scenes • Secure evidence • Identify victims • Identify suspects 1.9 Making decisions in an investigative context in accordance with the National Decision Model 2 Understand the structure and processes in relation to conducting an investigation 2.1 Definitions of key terminology: • Investigative mind set • Best evidence • Material/information/intelligence • Disclosure 2.2 The stages of an investigation 2.3 How to develop an investigative hypothesis 2.4 Specialists who may be involved 3.1 What constitutes 'material', 'information', 'intelligence' or 'evidence' 3.2 Evidence-gathering opportunities: • Victims • Witnesses • Suspects • Crime scenes (including physical and digital scenes of crime) • Passive data generators e.g. CCTV, data communication sources, banking and credit card records 4.1 Types of evidence 4.2 How digital technology can capture best evidence e.g. body-worn video cameras 5.1 Legislation to be considered during interviews, including: • PACE Code E - Audio Recording of Interviews • PACE Code F - Video Recording of interviews 5.2 The evidence base associated with the PEACE interview process 5.3 The principles of investigative interviewing 5.4 The PEACE interview process: • Planning and preparation • Engage and explain • Account clarification and challenge • Closure • Evaluation 5.5 Individuals who may need to be involved in interview process, including: • Interpreters • Legal advisors • Intermediaries 5.6 Non-verbal signals seen in interviews 6.1 Define 'volume and priority' crime and 'serious and complex' investigations 6.2 Specific considerations to be taken into account when dealing with the following investigations: • Anti-social behaviour and disputes • Hate crime (including the importance of proving hostility) • Public protection and domestic abuse • Roads policing (including road death investigation) • Public order • Firearms • Extremism • Terrorism 7.1 Role of specialists in retrieving information/intelligence or evidence from devices 8.1 Relevant legislation 8.2 Community considerations 8.3 Briefing and de-briefing using recognised national formats (i.e. IIMARCH, SAFCOM) 8.4 Role of internal specialists, including: • Crime Scene Investigator • Digital or traditional forensics specialists • Digital Media Investigator • Financial Investigator • Senior Investigating Officer 8.5 Additional investigative processes that may be required e.g. inquests 8.6 Role of coroner 9.1 Impact of trauma on victim(s) and witnesses involved in complex and serious offending 9.2 Support required for victims, including therapeutic support, consent issues and maintaining on-going support throughout the investigation 9.3 Professional support that may be involved 9.4 The role of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) 9.5 Victim's right to review 10.1 Specific legislation applicable 10.2 Types of offending that will be serious and complex e.g. offences which: • Involve the use of violence, including weap