Students will be taught the law, practice and procedure relative to the Police and Criminal Investigation Act 1984 as well as a selection of criminal offences, including those covered by the Theft Act 1968, particularly the elements of dishonesty which underpin the offences of theft, burglary and robbery. . Students will examine crimes appertaining to the Offences Against the Person (OAP) Act 1861 as well as the investigation of sexual offences, arson and criminal damage. Case studies will be used to illustrate the problems and difficulties relating to the investigative requirements of these offences.

Assessment 1: Students will undertake a 90-minute examination The examination will test students’ knowledge in relation to the law practice and procedure taught throughout the module. The examination will address learning outcome 1.

Assessment 2: Students will undertake a two-part practical whereby they receive information and intelligence regarding crimes of dishonesty. The students will act on this intelligence by preparing for and obtaining a simulated search warrant before executing the simulated search warrant in the second practical. Students will subsequently submit a 500-word reflective summary of their experience in completing the practical’s and attach their written information for swearing out the warrant as an appendix. The summary will address learning outcomes 2, 3 and 4.

13 x 2-hour lectures to present the information combined with 2 x 30-minute small group tutorials and 2 x 1 hour practical exercises. 2 x 2-hour Formative Tests.

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

Non-contact independent study will involve further reading, analysis of lecture notes to reflect on learning, completing a reflective journal, approaching teaching staff as appropriate for further information to aid knowledge, and understanding, and preparation/revision for the end of semester examination.

1. Understand and be able to explain law, practice and procedure relating to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, as well as crimes of dishonesty, property crimes and offences against the person. Knowledge & Understanding, Learning

2. Apply the law, practice and procedure relative to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and crimes of dishonesty. Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Reflection, Communication

3. Select, apply and analyse the correct power, practice and procedure within the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, when dealing with suspects involved in offences of crime and dishonesty. Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Reflection, Problem Solving, Analysis, Communication

4. Analyse, discuss and evaluate real and simulated case studies. Analysis, Communication, Enquiry and Reflection

Crime scene house
Body worn camera
Mock Court Room

Clark, D., Bevan, V. & Lidstone, K. (2004) The Investigation of Crime A Guide to the Law of Criminal Investigation. London: Lexis Nexis
Herring, J. (2020) Criminal Law Text cases and Materials. 9th Ed. Oxford: OUP
Ormerod, D. & Laird, K. (2020) Smith, Hogan and Ormerod’s Criminal Law. 15th Ed. Oxford: OUP
Various Authors. (2020) Blackstone’s Police Manuals. Oxford: OUP Available at:
http://www.blackstonespoliceservice.com.ezproxy.staffs.ac.uk/
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 – Home Office (Online)
Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and Codes of Practice A - H Home office (Online)

This is a core module which is taught during semester 1. During semester 1 the module provides a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the legal framework of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 as well as providing an understanding and description of various criminal offences, including those covered by the Theft Act 1968, Offences Against the Person (OAP) Act 1861 as well as the investigation of sexual offences, arson and criminal damage. Case studies will be used to illustrate problems and difficulties relating to the investigative requirements