Firearm-related investigations are fascinating, diverse and potentially complex, often requiring professionals from across criminal justice sectors to work closely together to prosecute and secure appropriate criminal justice outcomes. This module focuses on the criminal use of firearms and ammunition together, but also considers other weapons used to commit domestic, violent and serious crime. You will cover the lifecycle and cross-disciplinary nature of regional, national and international approaches to detecting, investigating, prosecuting and preventing firearm-related crime. The diversity of firearm-related offences and the associated value of all forms of relevant forensic evidence will be covered, in the contexts of firearm discharges (shootings), illicit manufacture and trafficking of firearms and ammunition, as well as acts of terrorism and related organised crime. You will appreciate how vital, actionable intelligence can be maximised and generated through human and technology-assisted approaches, whilst learning about key recommendations and state-of-the art changes being implemented to continually improve the timeliness and effectiveness of firearm investigations. You will also consider how firearm-related offences, associated evidence and court room aides can be used to explain and present the case to non-experts and lay persons, such as the jury and the judiciary.

You will use the theory, knowledge and real cases discussed in the module to work in a small group and construct your own mock case scenario, identifying and presenting the prosecution hypotheses, investigative and forensic outcomes to a mock jury. To support your presentation, you will create a relevant court room aide, such as a Google Earth fly-through, or demonstrative object to help explain your case to lay persons. You will also experience what it may be like to be a juror by listening to others’ oral presentations, which will enable you to reflect on, discuss and further develop your oral presentation skills for core Level 6 modules.

This module will be delivered through a combination of interactive lectures and workshops spread across Semesters 1 and 2.
Interactive lectures (10 x 2 hours) will provide you with the fundamental theory underpinning national, international and transnational firearm-related investigations. You will consider the strengths, challenges and opportunities for changes in practice from policing, forensic and court perspectives. Interactivity will be created by participating in quizzes, discussions, hands-on activities and/or critical analysis of case studies, for example through directed and wider independent study.
Workshops (6 x 2 hours) will enable you to undertake practical activities in small groups, for example handling and various types of criminally used firearms and ammunition, and analysing shooting-related crime scenes. These workshops will also allow you to plan your group assessment and gain support from the academic and technical staff. As a result, some earlier workshops will be staff-led and some later workshops will be student-led.
Towards the end of semester 2, you will present and explain your mock case to a ‘mock jury’ during live assessments (2 x 3 hours) using your court room aide to help you explain the case outcomes and forensic evidence. The jury will comprise of your peers who are also studying the module and up to two staff members.
Following your assessed presentations, you will participate in a tutorial (1 x 1 hour) to discuss and reflect on the strengths and areas for improvement of your case presentations and the development of your court room aide.

The remaining 161 hours will involve directed reading, independent study and groupwork to develop the mock case and identify relevant forensic and investigative outcomes in a small group. This learning mechanisms and assessment design will deepen your understanding of the topics covered and apply them to a simulated firearm-related case.

Summative assessment:
Using the knowledge and activities undertaken during the module, you will work in a small group to present a mock case and explain the outcomes of the investigation to a ‘mock jury’ of your peers (LO1 and 2) through a 20 minute oral presentation, followed by an extra 10 minutes answering questions relegated to your oral presentation (100%). To support your group’s presentation you will create a court room aide e.g. mock forensic evidence or Google Earth walk-through, to help you demonstrate and explain the relevant theory associated with a mock firearm-related investigation (LO 2 and 3). This style of assessment is designed to help you consider hearing testimony from the perspective of a juror, and further support your personal development, skills and build confidence in your ability to present court testimony in core modules that you will study at Level 6 (LO 4).

Formative assessment:
Formative assessment and feedback will be provided through lectures and workshops, questions and activities posed before, during and/or after relevant taught classes.

1. Construct a mock case that demonstrates your awareness of the legal, investigative and forensic aspects of a firearm-related investigation.
2. Explain the investigative and forensic outcome(s) of your mock case to a ‘mock jury’ through a group oral presentation and by answering relevant follow-on questions.
3. Create a court room aide that supports your explanation of the underpinning theory associated with your case outcome(s) to a ‘mock jury’.
4. Critique and reflect on others’ abilities to explain their knowledge and awareness of firearm investigations and outcomes to you as a lay person by acting as a mock juror.

Your own personal laptop or desktop computer (not a tablet or smartphone) capable of running Microsoft Office software, including Teams and PowerPoint, Google Earth, Google Chrome, and other video-editing software (such as Microsoft Movie Maker and Adobe Premier Pro) appropriate for this module, independent study and studying remotely during your course. You will also need sufficient speed and download limits for Broadband/WiFi to live stream remotely delivered online sessions from your term time residence, or use available university resources on campus. The university provided resources needed include an appropriately equipped laboratory, gun room and IT laboratory with computer access. All IT terminals must be equipped with software (previously listed) necessary for the module. Appropriate room capacity for workshops equipped with facilities for delivering audio-video based presentations. Library and information facilities will be required for directed and independent study. Access to the University’s Smart Zone and training, if the assessment requires it. A module handbook and Virtual Learning Environment, such as Blackboard or Top Hat.

Haag, M. G. & Haag L. C. (2020) Shooting Incident Reconstruction. 3rd Ed. London: Academic Press.

Heard, B. J. (2013) Forensic Ballistics in Court: Interpretation and Presentation of Firearms Evidence. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

Nichols, R. (2018) Building a Preventative Crime Gun Strategy: A Playbook for Success. Montreal: Ultra Electronics Forensic Technology Inc.

Progress to Level 5 of a Forensic Science, Forensic Investigation or Policing & Criminal Investigation award.

Ever wondered how firearm crime gets detected and solved when no one reported it to police? This cross-disciplinary module focuses on the criminal use of firearms, ammunition and other weapons used to commit violent and serious crime. You will consider the methods used in detecting, linking, investigating, solving and preventing various firearm-related offences in both UK and international contexts. You consider the criminal justice process from policing, forensic and judicial perspectives and will develop a court room aide that helps you explain to a mock jury, the relevant aspects of a simulated firearm-related case.