Module Descriptors
COMPLEX INVESTIGATIONS
FORE60386
Key Facts
Health, Education, Policing and Sciences
Level 6
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Sean Phillips
Email: sean.phillips@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 60
Independent Study Hours: 240
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- INVESTIGATION PLAN - 20 MINUTES AND 5 MINUTES OF Q&A weighted at 100% - Learning outcome(s) assessed: 1,2,3,4
Module Details
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Develop an understanding of legislation and professional practice regarding use of surveillance and covert investigation methods.
Define serious and Organised Crime, its history and evolution through the UK considering international context.
Examine specific aspects of Organised crime such as Modern-Day Slavery, human trafficking and drug supply.
Understand the purpose and role of complex investigation following major and critical incidents, including terrorism.
Explore specialist roles and teams designed to support/ investigate complex crime, (Regional Organised Crime Units, National Crime Agency, Serious Crime Analysis Section, Europol)
Develop an understanding of key investigative roles Senior Investigative Officer (SIO), Crime Scene Manager, Professionalising Investigation levels (PIP level 2,3,4,).
Examine UK borders immigration investigations.
Understand how Multi-Agency investigations are managed between agencies such as Police, RSPCA, Health & Safety Executive.
Using case studies, examine the purpose and structure of investigative reviews.
Define serious and Organised Crime, its history and evolution through the UK considering international context.
Examine specific aspects of Organised crime such as Modern-Day Slavery, human trafficking and drug supply.
Understand the purpose and role of complex investigation following major and critical incidents, including terrorism.
Explore specialist roles and teams designed to support/ investigate complex crime, (Regional Organised Crime Units, National Crime Agency, Serious Crime Analysis Section, Europol)
Develop an understanding of key investigative roles Senior Investigative Officer (SIO), Crime Scene Manager, Professionalising Investigation levels (PIP level 2,3,4,).
Examine UK borders immigration investigations.
Understand how Multi-Agency investigations are managed between agencies such as Police, RSPCA, Health & Safety Executive.
Using case studies, examine the purpose and structure of investigative reviews.
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
You will be presented with a complex investigative scenario and required to devise a comprehensive investigation plan for two agencies that demonstrates your ability to think strategically, apply investigative theory to practice and integrate multi‑agency considerations. You will select two investigative agencies that would realistically be involved in the case and produce a structured investigative plan for each to present. You should present plans using a clear, structured presentation briefing format. The presentation will last 20 minutes with 5 minutes of questions.
LEARNING STRATEGIES
Sessions will include lectures, workshop activities, discussions, groupwork, drop-in support sessions which will be delivered by various lecturers of the course of the module.
Lectures will be led by the lecturer (and guest speaker where possible) and will be used to deliver key concepts and learning within the module content. During these sessions, there will be interactive elements such as knowledge checks, 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 time will involve extensive reading of the course material with a view to developing knowledge from case studies and trial reports to prepare for the summative assignment.
As part of the module, you will have formative assessment opportunities in creating investigative plans for different agencies for different scenarios and practicing presenting in a briefing style.
Lectures will be led by the lecturer (and guest speaker where possible) and will be used to deliver key concepts and learning within the module content. During these sessions, there will be interactive elements such as knowledge checks, 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 time will involve extensive reading of the course material with a view to developing knowledge from case studies and trial reports to prepare for the summative assignment.
As part of the module, you will have formative assessment opportunities in creating investigative plans for different agencies for different scenarios and practicing presenting in a briefing style.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Explain recent legislation and developments that have influenced professional practice regarding the management and investigation of serious and complex investigations in the UK.
Knowledge & understanding.
2. Critically evaluate roles, responsibilities, professional practice methods and techniques in specific (cross-border and multi-agency) agencies in contemporary serious investigations, identifying challenges faced by these approaches.
Critical reasoning & collaboration
3. Critically reflect on investigative responses, evaluating the failures in effective investigation by analysing and reviewing strategies, as well as subsequent developments that arise from these.
Reflection
4. Communicate effectively to professional audiences to justify investigative decisions in complex scenarios.
Communication
Knowledge & understanding.
2. Critically evaluate roles, responsibilities, professional practice methods and techniques in specific (cross-border and multi-agency) agencies in contemporary serious investigations, identifying challenges faced by these approaches.
Critical reasoning & collaboration
3. Critically reflect on investigative responses, evaluating the failures in effective investigation by analysing and reviewing strategies, as well as subsequent developments that arise from these.
Reflection
4. Communicate effectively to professional audiences to justify investigative decisions in complex scenarios.
Communication
TEXTS
NPCC Homicide Working Group, 2021. Major Crime Investigation Manual, version 1.0, November. National Police Chief's Council in collaboration with the College of Policing,
Home Office & Immigration Enforcement, 2015. Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA): Detention services order 02/2015. London: Home Office & Immigration Enforcement, published 26 March, updated 25 July 2023.:
Ministry of Justice, 2015. Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act Code of Practice. London: Ministry of Justice, published 16 February.
Terrorism Act 2006, c. 11, 2006. An Act to make provision for and about offences relating to conduct carried out, or capable of being carried out, for purposes connected with terrorism; to amend enactments relating to terrorism; to amend the Intelligence Services Act 1994 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and for connected purposes.
Serious Crime Act 2015, c. 30, 2015. An Act to make provision about serious crime; and for connected purposes. London: The National Archives. [online] Available at:
Home Office & Immigration Enforcement, 2015. Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA): Detention services order 02/2015. London: Home Office & Immigration Enforcement, published 26 March, updated 25 July 2023.:
Ministry of Justice, 2015. Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act Code of Practice. London: Ministry of Justice, published 16 February.
Terrorism Act 2006, c. 11, 2006. An Act to make provision for and about offences relating to conduct carried out, or capable of being carried out, for purposes connected with terrorism; to amend enactments relating to terrorism; to amend the Intelligence Services Act 1994 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and for connected purposes.
Serious Crime Act 2015, c. 30, 2015. An Act to make provision about serious crime; and for connected purposes. London: The National Archives. [online] Available at:
WEB DESCRIPTOR
Are you interested in learning how to investigate crime, bringing the most serious offenders to justice? Do you want to work in as an investigator in one of the many agencies that are responsible for this. Working with partners to stop or prevent harm in some of the most significant criminality the UK is experiencing? In this module you will develop an in depth understanding of how complex crime is defined and investigated in a variety of agency roles.
You will develop knowledge of relevant legislation, professional practice and how it ensures responsibilities between statutory agencies are delivered to achieve this. You will also develop an understanding of broader UK and international agencies and how they support UK law enforcement and investigations, examining why cases go wrong, why and how they are reviewed and the challenges faced by processionals. We will draw on real life problems and scenarios to apply your learning so that you will be equipped in future employment, to understand the nature of complex investigations.
You will develop knowledge of relevant legislation, professional practice and how it ensures responsibilities between statutory agencies are delivered to achieve this. You will also develop an understanding of broader UK and international agencies and how they support UK law enforcement and investigations, examining why cases go wrong, why and how they are reviewed and the challenges faced by processionals. We will draw on real life problems and scenarios to apply your learning so that you will be equipped in future employment, to understand the nature of complex investigations.