Homicide Investigation

Partner Details

Informa Connect

Awards

Target Award

Award Description:Master of Science - MS

Alternative Exit

Award Description:Postgraduate Diploma - PD

Award Learning Outcomes:Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses within homicide investigation. Exercise self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level. Advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations. Learn independently for the purposes of continuing professional development.

Recruitable Target

Alternative Exit

Award Description:Postgraduate Certificate - PC

Award Learning Outcomes:Exercise self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level. Advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level within the field of homicide investigation. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations. Learn independently for the purposes of continuing professional development.

Recruitable Target

Programme Offerings

Part-Time

DL-INF-JAN

DL-INF-SEP

Educational Aims of the Course

This programme aims to provide students with a critical view of homicide investigation. It will explore investigative challenges, cross cutting considerations for operational ethics in decision making and the development of investigative practice. During the programme, students will focus on understanding investigative theory, the evidence base and investigative techniques while applying analytical thinking to investigative practice. Students will be encouraged to use reflection and critical analysis to understand and develop their own area of expertise within the field of homicide investigation. Students will explore the history and development of homicide investigation, informed by both success and failure will help them contextualise the importance of the discipline. Placing this into context, the programme aims to provide an analysis of homicide investigation in order to develop practitioners and senior leaders in this field. These programme is taught predominantly by distance learning and aims to connect a diverse body of domestic and international students across time zones, to share knowledge and develop expertise in the fields. The programme key aims are to: • Provide full time and part-time distance learning programmes in homicide investigation for full-time employees or for those seeking a career in homicide investigation or a related discipline. • Enable students to make an original contribution to the discipline of homicide investigation and the advancement of investigative practice. • Produce competent, informed reflectively and ethically competent students who have a developed academic understanding the key issues within homicide investigation and the theories which underpin the discipline.

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate a critical awareness of the impact and influence policy has and continues to have on professional practice in homicide investigation.

Using ICT to identify, access and select effective information collection methods and use the most appropriate analytical tools including the application of numerical skills to cases involving a quantitative dimension.

Articulate arguments and conclusions based on evidence and that are subject to a well- developed critical appraisal and imaginative judgement.

In a timely fashion, present and communicate information, in both verbal and written forms and in various formats for different audiences.

Collaborate and co-operate in working with others to investigate questions or issues relating to homicide investigation.

Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the influences and drivers of policy and practice change in the broad areas of homicide investigation.

Apply major theories and concepts to the study of homicide investigation.

Reflect on their critical appreciation of homicide investigation and apply knowledge to practice.

Demonstrate the skills necessary to plan, conduct and report on a research project by independently engaging with the subject literature and theory, analyse and assess it to support critical and normative judgements within homicide investigation and develop a structured argument.

10.

Identify a range of research strategies and methods and reflexively assess the merits of each.

11.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the research designs, methodological choices, and validity of sources of empirical research and good/best practice guidance that seek to analyse and measure the performance of homicide investigation and by doing so, show imagination and flexibility in seeking solutions to problems.

12.

Understand and show sensitivity to diversity issues and competing interests in homicide investigation to identify and take account of normative and moral positions.

13.

Recognise the relevance of the study in the field of homicide investigation.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The programme places emphasis on a having a sound grasp of the relevant academic literature, including substantial use of key scholarly journals, legislative provision, case law and government strategic policy in the field of homicide investigation. The assessment strategy concentrates on how theory relates to and enhances good practice. This is assessed through a variety of summative and formative assessments including reflection, essays, presentations and for the MSc a dissertation. A range of learning strategies and a variety of modes of interactive delivery conducive to online distance learning will be utilised throughout the programme and delivered by the LJMU VLE Canvas or Knect 365’s learning platform, including an introductory lecture and a range of online activities; e.g. presentations, workbooks, podcasts, blogs, forums both tutor-led synchronous (which can be recorded) and asynchronous, Microsoft Team, Skype or Zoom tutorials will be used in addition to utilising suitable OER (open educational resources),such as ‘YouTube’ videos, supported by digital key readings. A range of periodic formative study skills and knowledge checks will be completed by the students on-line from which feedback will be given to enable ongoing development. Target Award Learning Outcomes 1 – 13 are taught through online lectures, with an option of one ‘face to face’ module and are developed via on-line forums, knowledge checks, targeted learning documents and appropriate formative tasks designed for online learning. These skills are assessed across all modules while the variety of assessments across the programme ensures that these skills are assessed in different ways and in a mode suitable for online distance-learning. Formative assessment is used to develop knowledge, understanding and skills, while summative assessment is used to assess the student’s success in achieving the learning outcomes.

Opportunities for work related learning

If the students are able to work in Liverpool and are not already employed in policing, opportunities are available for students to work as Special Constables within the Merseyside Police and the British Transport Police. It is envisaged that many of those undertaking this course will already be employed within policing and/or the wider Criminal Justice System.

Programme Structure

Programme Structure Description

An award of a Postgraduate Certificate in Homicide Investigation will be awarded for successful completion of the three CORE modules: 7226PS, 7227PS, 7225PS. An award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Homicide Investigation will require the student to have successfully completed the CORE modules: 7220PS, 7225PS, 7226PS, 7227PS, 7229PS and one of the 20 credit option modules. Module 7221PS Dissertation will be led by the Informa module leader from the LJMU team and students will be supervised by the most appropriate member of academic staff from across the faculty. Microsoft Teams, Skype or Zoom tutorials with module leaders will be available within office hours for distance learning students.

Structure

Level 7

Level 7 Core

Level 7 Optional

Entry Requirements

NVQ

A relevant second-class honours degree or above (such as in criminology, law, policing, security, social or political science) or an overseas equivalent qualification is normally required. Alternatively, a graduate level professional qualification of comparable standard and suitable work experience may be accepted. Any applicant who does not possess a first degree must satisfy the programme team of their ability to successfully study at Level 7 through presentation of a strong portfolio to demonstrate appropriate equivalent skills in the workplace. The expectation is that the experience will include a minimum 5 years working within investigation, intelligence or the wider criminal justice system. The programme also welcomes students with both prior certified learning and/or application for experiential learning credits. Applicants claiming Recognition of Prior Learning will be explored on an individual basis where previous qualifications or experience will be mapped against the Learning Objectives of the programme modules in accordance with LJMU RP(E)L policy and procedures www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/public-information/academic-quality-and-regulations/academic-framework

Other international requirements

Proficiency in English – where English is a second language you will be required to demonstrate a minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 or a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFEL) score of 575. In some cases, applicants who do not pass the standard entry requirement may be permitted to enrol at the discretion of the programme leader. Applications are welcomed from overseas students, and all applicants are considered on individual merit, without regard to gender, marital status, disability, race, ethnic origin, religion or social background. The course will be taught in English.

Course Catalogue