1. Apply the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and associated legislation in dealing with those individuals suspected of crime.

2. Demonstrate the skills and technique of interviewing suspects, witnesses and complainants of crime, including young and vulnerable persons within legal requirements and to critically evaluate the outcomes of such interviews.

3. Present evidence when acting as a professional witness in a courtroom.

Assessment 1 – A portfolio containing a complainant statement, witness statement, police officer statement, Short Descriptive Note, Disclosure Schedule and Exhibit List utilising nationally recognised Manual of Guidance forms. Links with learning outcomes 1 and 2.

Assessment 2 – To prepare for and give evidence at a Moot Court on the portfolio of evidence prepared in assessment 1, addressing learning outcome 3.

Using their foundation knowledge from the Introduction to Investigation module, students will expand and enrich their knowledge and understanding of criminal investigations by focussing on legislation, policy, procedure and investigative techniques surrounding investigations, bail and out of court disposal of cases. The module will analyse, evaluate and synthesise a range of investigative and evidence gathering opportunities whilst considering the role of specialist and the specific needs of victims and witnesses. Students will investigate the crucial role of disclosure and how this responsibility is discharged within the crime arena. Students will examine the concept of abuse affecting specific vulnerable groups, the impact of such crimes at a personal and family level together with personal and public attitudes to abuse and the control measures to prevent the abuse of power by public officials.

Students will study the legal requirements imposed, and techniques utilised by the Police and other investigative bodies in relation to the interview of suspects, witnesses and complainants of crime, including young and vulnerable persons. Role play exercises will be utilised to support the theoretical principles of the PEACE model 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. Students will also be provided with information concerning the disclosure of evidence and the construction of disclosure schedules MG6 and Exhibit Schedules MG12.



This module will cover:

Processes relating to detained persons including charging

Processes in relation to bail and out of court disposals

Processes for disclosure

Legislation, principles and processes relating to police interviews

Good practice when dealing with victims and witnesses

Best procedures to follow for supporting victims during on-going investigations, through the Criminal Justice System and post judicial proceedings.



College of Policing indicative content:

Criminal Justice: 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.1a, 7.2a, 7.3a, 7.4a, 7.5a, 7.6a, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3

Police investigations: 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 7.1a, 7.2a

Victims and witnesses: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7

This is a core module which is taught during semester 2. During semester 2 the module provides a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the legal framework of investigation relative to arrest and bail, disclosure of evidence, search, detention, identification and interviewing of suspects in accordance with the Police and Criminal, Evidence Act 1984. Students will also 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.

13 X 2-hour lectures delivered by departmental staff (focusing on indicative content as shown above). 2 X 30-minute small group tutorial sessions. 3 X 1-hour practical (role play) sessions. 1 X 1-hour Moot Court session.

Lectures will be led by the lecturer and used to deliver key concepts and learning within the module content. During these sessions, there will be interactive elements such as quizzes, short discussions, students asked for their thoughts or viewpoint and opportunities to ask questions to the lecturer.

Tutorial sessions will based around student centred learning, group discussions and case study exploration to aide students learning on the module.

Practical sessions will provide students with the opportunity to apply their theoretical learning to given situations and reflect on their skills development and application of knowledge

169 hours non-contact independent study will involve background reading and preparation of coursework assignment (portfolio) together with preparation for the student’s Moot Court appearance.

Ministry of Justice. (2015) Code of Practice for the Victims of Crime. London: Crown. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/476900/code-of-practice-for-victims-of-crime.PDF


Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and Codes of Practice A - H Home office (Online)


Various Authors. (2020) Blackstone’s Police Manuals. Oxford: OUP Available at:

http://www.blackstonespoliceservice.com.ezproxy.staffs.ac.uk/¿¿


Walsh D., Oxburgh G.E., Redlich A.D. and Myklebust T. (Eds) (2017) International Developments and Practices in Investigative Interviewing and Interrogation. Volume 1: Suspects. Abingdon: Routledge


Walsh D., Oxburgh G.E., Redlich A.D. and Myklebust T. (Eds) (2017) International Developments and Practices in Investigative Interviewing and Interrogation. Volume 2: Suspects. Abingdon: Routledge

Access to Crime Scene House, Interview Rooms and Audio/Visual recording facility.