Module Descriptors
ADVANCED INVESTIGATION
FORE60361
Key Facts
Health, Education, Policing and Sciences
Level 6
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Justin Mason-Spanner
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 51
Independent Study Hours: 249
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
  • COURT APPEARANCE - 20 MINUTES weighted at 50%
  • WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT - 2000 WORDS weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Learning Outcomes
1. Identify and explain the key concepts and tools that underpin the conduct of complex investigation at tactical level.
Knowledge & Understanding, Communication

2. Within a theoretical context, identify and apply legislation, policy and evidence-based practice needed to achieve the successful outcomes of complex investigations.
Learning, Application

3. Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of investigative strategies utilised by the police in complex investigations.
Enquiry, Analysis

4. Explore potential solutions to meet the challenges posed to the conduct of complex investigation by technological change.
Problem Solving, Reflection
Module Texts
ACPO (2006) Murder Investigation Manual (online) Available from: file:///C:/Users/pl7/Downloads/murder-investigation-manual-redacted(11).pdf

College of Policing (2013) Authorised Professional Practice: Investigations (online) Available from: https://www.app.college.police.uk/app-content/investigations/?s=

College of Policing (2017) Authorised Professional Practice: Major-Investigation & Public Protection online) Available from: https://www.app.college.police.uk/app-content/major-investigation-and-public-protection/?s=

College of Policing (2018) Authorised Professional Practice: Road policing -
Investigation of fatal and serious injury road collisions (online). Available from: https://www.app.college.police.uk/app-content/road-policing-2/investigating-road-deaths/

NPCC (2015) Digital Investigation and Intelligence (online) Available from: file:///C:/Users/pl7/Downloads/Digital%20Investigation%20and%20Intelligence%20Policing%20capabilities%20for%20a%20digital%20age%20April%202015(2).pdf

NPIA (2010) Investigating & Prosecuting Rape (online) Available from: file:///C:/Users/pl7/Downloads/Guidance-Investigating-Prosecuting-Rape-(Abridged-Edition)-2010.pdf

Additional reading available from the online reading list.

Module Special Admissions Requirements
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisites None
Admissions requirements Enrolment on the BSc (Hons) in Professional Policing
ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Production of an abbreviated prosecution case file utilising MG forms (or other nationally approved police forms) that is assessed by presenting the evidence and defending the findings of the investigation i.e. examination and cross examination in a moot court – learning outcomes 1 & 2A written assignment critically evaluating an incident, case or process of the student’s choice relating to the investigation of either homicide, serious and organised crime, counter-terrorism, digitally enabled crime, road crime or sexual crime. The written assignment will include an executive summary, a critical assessment of investigative strategy and a reflective summary of potential areas for development – Learning Outcomes 3 & 4.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
This module initially explores the concepts and tools, which underpin the conduct of complex investigation, including relevant legislation, policy, and evidence-based practice. Focus is upon accountability and governance, strategic considerations, tactical approaches, and multi-agency working.
The module goes on to focus on key investigation types including those relating to homicide, serious and organised crime, counter terrorism, online criminality, road fatalities and denying criminals the use of the roads and serious sexual offending, together with consideration of the challenges and opportunities provided by emerging technology. Extensive use is made of relevant case study material to contextualise learning and to support critical evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses evident in existing practice.

The first semester of this module will contain practical elements and will involve the students investigating a case, including being the first attending officer at the scene, interviewing suspects and putting together a case file and will conclude with the students giving evidence in court . This will allow for the practical application of knowledge relating to the learning on this module around advanced investigations.

This module will cover:
• Strategic policing strategies
• Critical evaluation of values, ethics, and norms of policing diverse communities
• Policies and procedures to reduce professional malpractice and improve professional standards
• Problem solving techniques and interventions
• Effective decision making
• Legislation and guidance associated with public protection
• Complexities of public protection and other serious investigations
• Digitally facilitated crimes
• Role of intelligence in combatting terrorism and other key areas of policing
• Criminal justice processes, including disclosure
• Complexities of operational policing, including high profile cases
• Fostering and maintaining community cohesion
• Criminal activity facilitated by the road network
• The evidence base associated with serious road policing offences
• The role of internal specialists and partnership agencies in complex investigations
• Cold case reviews

College of Policing curriculum content:
Understanding the police constable role – 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 9.1
Valuing difference and inclusion – 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9
Maintaining professional standards – 4.1, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3
Problem solving – 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9
Decision making and discretion – 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.8, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 7.1, 9.3, 10.1, 10.2, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3
Vulnerability and risk – 7.1
Public Protection – 1.2, 1.3, 2.4, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3
Digital Policing – 5.1, 5.2
Counter terrorism – 4.2, 5.1, 5.2
Criminal Justice – 6.1, 7.1, 7.2, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4
Response policing – 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 11.1, 11.2, 11.7, 12.1, 12.2, 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4
Policing communities – 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7
Policing the roads – 7.1, 8.1, 8.3, 11.1, 11.2
Information and intelligence - 1.4, 4.2
Police investigations – 6.2, 7.1, 8.4, 9.4, 10.2, 11.3, 11.14

WEB DESCRIPTOR
This module provides an excellent opportunity for students to develop advanced knowledge and skills relating to complex investigations. The module includes both theoretical and practical elements. You will learn about the investigation of homicide, terrorism, and other forms of serious crime. Focus will be on multi-agency working, together with the challenges and opportunities presented by changes in society and developments of technology. Assessment will involve a case file and a court appearance. demonstrating understanding of relevant, legislation policy and practice, together with a written assignment, evaluating an incident, case or process relating to an aspect of complex crime investigation.

LEARNING STRATEGIES
This module utilises blended learning strategies, including the delivery of lectures, small group tutorial sessions, practical scenarios where students can apply their knowledge and skills, face to face and online peer discussion together with digitally aided independent study. T
Lectures will be delivered over semester 1 and semester 2
Tutorials delivered over semester 1 and 2 are available to allow exploration of key concepts relating to the conduct complex investigations, planning and preparation for the group presentation and compilation of the written assignment. Practicals to be delivered within semester 1

Students will be encouraged to explore and discuss key concepts through use of an online peer discussion forum delivered via the medium of the Blackboard VLE.
Students will be able to build and assess their own learning by online knowledge checks delivered via the medium of the Blackboard VLE.
Formative assessment and feedback will be delivered by module tutors following completion of class knowledge checks.

RESOURCES
Blackboard, Internet Access, and Conference Facilities.