Module Descriptors
INVESTIGATIVE SKILLS
FORE50339
Key Facts
Health, Education, Policing and Sciences
Level 5
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Ian Ackerley
Email: Ian.Ackerley@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 50
Independent Study Hours: 250
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- Examination - unseen examination in examination conditions weighted at 50%
- Portfolio weighted at 30%
- Participation at a Moot Court weighted at 20%
Module Details
Module Learning Outcomes
1. STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE A CRITICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROVISIONS AND USE OF THE POLICE AND CRIMINAL EVIDENCE ACT 1984 AND THE ASSOCIATED CODES OF PRACTICE Knowledge & Understanding.
2. STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY THE POLICE AND CRIMINAL EVIDENCE ACT 1984 IN DEALING WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS SUSPECTED OF CRIME.
Application, Communication and Problem Solving.
3. UNDERSTAND AND DEMONSTRATE THE SKILLS AND TECHNIQUE OF INTERVIEWING SUSPECTS, WITNESSES AND VICTIMS OF CRIME, INCLUDING YOUNG AND VULNERABLE PERSONS WITHIN LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND TO CRITICALLY EVALUATE OUTCOMES OF SUCH INTERVIEWS.
Enquiry, Knowledge & Understanding, Reflection.
4. PRESENT EVIDENCE WHEN ACTING AS A PROFESSIONAL WITNESS IN A COURTROOM.
Knowledge & Understanding, Application, Communication, Reflection.
2. STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY THE POLICE AND CRIMINAL EVIDENCE ACT 1984 IN DEALING WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS SUSPECTED OF CRIME.
Application, Communication and Problem Solving.
3. UNDERSTAND AND DEMONSTRATE THE SKILLS AND TECHNIQUE OF INTERVIEWING SUSPECTS, WITNESSES AND VICTIMS OF CRIME, INCLUDING YOUNG AND VULNERABLE PERSONS WITHIN LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND TO CRITICALLY EVALUATE OUTCOMES OF SUCH INTERVIEWS.
Enquiry, Knowledge & Understanding, Reflection.
4. PRESENT EVIDENCE WHEN ACTING AS A PROFESSIONAL WITNESS IN A COURTROOM.
Knowledge & Understanding, Application, Communication, Reflection.
Module Additional Assessment Details
Assessment 1 – Examination (duration 1.5 hours) links with Learning Outcomes 1 and 2.
Assessment 2 – Written Portfolio links with Learning Outcome 3.
Assessment 3 – Participation at Moot Court links with Learning Outcome 4.
Assessment 2 – Written Portfolio links with Learning Outcome 3.
Assessment 3 – Participation at Moot Court links with Learning Outcome 4.
Module Indicative Content
Background to the introduction, provision and application of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) including:
Provisions of Code A - H, specifically policing practice in relation to powers of stop and search, searching property, arrest, the detention and treatment of suspects, identification and interviewing suspects. Application of PACE in relation to the legality of policing practice and the subsequent admissibility of evidence in the judicial process.
The legal requirements imposed, and techniques utilised by the Police and other investigative bodies in relation to the interview of suspects, witnesses and victims of crime, including young and vulnerable persons. Role play exercises will be utilised to support the theoretical principles of interviewing complainants, witnesses and suspects, together with the production of complainant, witness and police officer statement of evidence addressing issues of arrest, searching property, exhibit recovery, interviewing the suspect and charging of the suspect supplemented by the creation of a Short Descriptive Note of the student’s interview with the suspect.
Provisions of Code A - H, specifically policing practice in relation to powers of stop and search, searching property, arrest, the detention and treatment of suspects, identification and interviewing suspects. Application of PACE in relation to the legality of policing practice and the subsequent admissibility of evidence in the judicial process.
The legal requirements imposed, and techniques utilised by the Police and other investigative bodies in relation to the interview of suspects, witnesses and victims of crime, including young and vulnerable persons. Role play exercises will be utilised to support the theoretical principles of interviewing complainants, witnesses and suspects, together with the production of complainant, witness and police officer statement of evidence addressing issues of arrest, searching property, exhibit recovery, interviewing the suspect and charging of the suspect supplemented by the creation of a Short Descriptive Note of the student’s interview with the suspect.
Module Learning Strategies
22 X 2-hour lectures delivered by departmental staff (focusing on indicative content as shown above). 4 X 30-minute small group tutorial sessions. 3 X 1-hour practical (role play) sessions. 1 X 1-hour Moot Court session.
250 hours non-contact independent study will involve background reading and preparation of examination and coursework assignment (portfolio).
250 hours non-contact independent study will involve background reading and preparation of examination and coursework assignment (portfolio).
Module Texts
Blackstone’s Policing Manuals - Oxford Press (Online)
Handbook of Psychology of Investigative Interviewing - Current Developments and Future Direction. Bull, Valentine and Williamson 2009. Wiley - Blackwell.
International Developments and Practices in Investigative Interviewing and Interrogation – Volume 1: Victims and witnesses. Ed. Walsh D., Oxburgh G.E., Redlich A.D. and Myklebust T. 2017 - Routledge - Abingdon
International Developments and Practices in Investigative Interviewing and Interrogation – Volume 2: Suspects. Ed. Walsh D., Oxburgh G.E., Redlich A.D. and Myklebust T. 2017 - Routledge - Abingdon
Investigative Interviewing - Psychology and Practice Milne and Bull 2000 Wiley.
Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and Codes of Practice A - H Home office (Online)
Zander on PACE: The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, 6th Edition. Zander M. 2014 – The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles. Volume 87 (2014) Pages 139 - 141
Handbook of Psychology of Investigative Interviewing - Current Developments and Future Direction. Bull, Valentine and Williamson 2009. Wiley - Blackwell.
International Developments and Practices in Investigative Interviewing and Interrogation – Volume 1: Victims and witnesses. Ed. Walsh D., Oxburgh G.E., Redlich A.D. and Myklebust T. 2017 - Routledge - Abingdon
International Developments and Practices in Investigative Interviewing and Interrogation – Volume 2: Suspects. Ed. Walsh D., Oxburgh G.E., Redlich A.D. and Myklebust T. 2017 - Routledge - Abingdon
Investigative Interviewing - Psychology and Practice Milne and Bull 2000 Wiley.
Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and Codes of Practice A - H Home office (Online)
Zander on PACE: The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, 6th Edition. Zander M. 2014 – The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles. Volume 87 (2014) Pages 139 - 141
Module Resources
Module Handbook, Blackboard VLE, Lecture Theatre, PowerPoint, Kahoot, Box of Broadcasts, Crime Scene House, Interview Rooms and Audio/Visual recording facility.
Module Special Admissions Requirements
None
Web Descriptor
This is a core module which is taught during semesters 1 and 2. In semester 1 the module provides a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the legal framework of investigation via the Police and Criminal, Evidence Act 1984. In semester 2 students apply their knowledge through a series of practical exercises regarding interviewing the complainant, witness and suspect about a variety of criminal offences before producing a portfolio of evidence. The module concludes with the student giving evidence on their portfolio before a Moot Court.