This module will provide an overview of European criminal law and legislation. It will introduce key legislation that underpins the investigative process including Policing procedures, crime scene management and information procurement.

This module will be divided into three key topics.
In topic 1, the students will be introduced to the several ‘legal families’ that exist throughout the world. As such, the main focus will be on the differentiation made between continental and common law approaches, and what these differences mean in terms of practical implications in criminal law, criminal procedure and criminal investigations. The goal of this first part is to ensure the students have gained basic knowledge and a worldwide view of how legal frameworks differ and are alike.

In the second topic, the emphasis will be on the exchange of forensic intelligence. Both international and European legislation (e.g. Prüm) will be discussed and further studied in those areas of importance for the practical skills of the students.

In a third topic, a more topical approach will be taken. It will introduce key legislation that underpins the investigative process including policing procedures, crime scene management and information procurement and discuss the legal processes involved in cross-border cases.

This module is for engagement only and there is no summative assessment. Formative assessment will be used to check engagement and aid learning.

Formative Assessment: This module will include one formative test of 50 multiple choice questions; these will help you check your knowledge on the module. There will be questions on each topic covered within the module and may include questions on background reading required for the module. This MCQ test will be delivered online via Blackboard at the end of the module.

65% correct answers are required to achieve an EFEN certificate. Opportunities to re-sit the MCQ test will be made available.

The module makes use of Blackboard as the VLE. Activities will be posted on the module on a weekly basis. Each activity will contain notes, as word files or power point presentations or in HTML format. A specific core text is used for further reading and learners will be directed to further reading through citations or directly through a network link. You will need to spend at least 18h per week study time, with some dedicated times for answering on-line formative assessments and for taking part in chat rooms.

Suitable computer capable of accessing both the WWW and the University Server, and of running Blackboard. Library facilities as necessary available online.

Entry to postgraduate programme in Forensic Science.

Criminal Litigation Handbook, M Hannibal and L Mountford: Oxford University Press 2010-2011

Disclosure in Criminal Proceedings, D. Corker and Stephen Parkinson; Oxford University Press 2009

Limitations of Expert Evidence, S Leadbeatter, ed, Royal College of Physicians, London, 1996

The Role of Forensic Science Evidence in Criminal Proceedings, P Roberts and C Willmore, Research study No. 11 prepared for the 1993 Royal Commission on Criminal Justice, HMSO, London, 1993

Eu Criminal Law (Modern Studies in European Law), Mitsilegas.V, Hart Publishing, 2009.

1. DEVELOP KNOWLEDGE IN RELATION TO THE LAWS AND LEGISLATION THAT GOVERN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS IN A RANGE OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
(Knowledge & Understanding, Learning)

2. APPLY A RANGE OF CRIMINAL LEGAL PROCESSES TO DIFFERENT CASE SITUATIONS
(Application, Knowledge & Understanding, Problem Solving)