- An understanding of the descriptions of the various criminal offences, including those covered by the Theft Act 1968, burglary and theft as well as other elements of dishonesty.
- Students will examine crimes appertaining to the Offences Against the Person (OAP) Act 1861, public order offences and criminal damage
- Students will also study and understand the sensitive requirements relating to the investigation of sexual offences.
- Background to the introduction, provision and application of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) specifically, policing practice in relation to, arrest and searching of the detained persons and premises as well as the detention and treatment of suspects, the identification of and interviewing of 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 complainants 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. Students will also be provided with information concerning the disclosure of evidence and the construction of disclosure schedules MG6 and Exhibit Schedules MG12

Assessment 1: A portfolio containing a complainant statement, witness statement, investigator’s statement, Short Descriptive Note, Disclosure Schedule and Exhibit List utilising nationally recognised Manual of Guidance forms. Assessment

2: Students will undertake an exam. The exam will test students’ knowledge in relation to the law and investigative powers and procedures.

Teaching of this module will be a combination of lectures, tutorials and practical sessions.

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.

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.

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.

For formative assessment, the module will include mock tests/ exams throughout the module with feedback sessions to provide examples of correct answers. Examples of completed MG forms will be provided to support you in completing the forms for your case study assessment and you have the opportunity to submit some forms for formative feedback before the deadline.

1. Apply the law and how it pertains to crimes of dishonesty, offences against the person, and public order.

Knowledge & understanding

2. Identify relevant policing powers, including the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, when dealing with suspects and witnesses.

Knowledge & understanding

3. Apply skills and techniques of investigative interviewing and preparing investigative documents.

Application and problem solving; Personal development & entrepreneurship

4. Analyse, discuss and evaluate the significance of real and simulated case studies.

Critical reasoning & collaboration

- Simulation suite
- Immersive suite
- Moot court

College of Policing (2025) APP- Investigations. (Online) Available at: https://www.college.police.uk/app/investigation

Connor, P. (2026) Blackstone's Police Manuals 2026 Oxford University Press.

Dyson, M. (2025) Blackstone’s Statutes on Criminal Law. Oxford University Press.

Ormerod, D. et al. (2024) Smith, Hogan, and Ormerod’s criminal law. Seventeenth edition / David Ormerod, CBE, KC (Hon), Karl Laird, Matthew Gibson. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/he/9780198890942.001.0001.

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

Wood, D. et al. (2025) Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students 2026. Oxford University Press.

n this module, you will develop the legal knowledge and professional skills needed to apply criminal law in real policing and investigative scenarios. You will learn not only what the law says, but how it operates in frontline decision‑making and within the criminal justice process.

You will explore key offences including crimes of dishonesty under the Theft Act 1968, offences against the person under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, public order offences, criminal damage, and the procedures surrounding sexual offence investigations.

A major focus of the module is the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE). You will examine the purpose and practical use of police powers—such as arrest, search, detention, and suspect treatment—and assess how compliance with PACE affects the admissibility of evidence in court.

Through real and simulated case studies, you will apply the law to policing decisions, assess investigative outcomes, and build essential practical skills. These include interviewing suspects, witnesses, and vulnerable complainants, presenting evidence in court, and conducting searches. Role‑play activities will help you produce professional documentation such as statements, exhibit logs (MG12), and disclosure schedules (MG6).