The Roles and Responsibilities in a Major Investigation

The Major Incident Room

Major Investigation reviews



Instigation and Initial Response

The Scene, Golden Hour, and Fast Track Actions

NCA National SIO Advisor

Family Liaison



The Strategic Use of Specialists in Major Investigation

Mass Screening

Familial DNA

Pathology

Behavioural Investigative advisor

Geographic Profiling



Homicide

Corporate Manslaughter

Post-Verdict Management (Guilty and Not Guilty Verdicts)



Witness Management

Witness Management

Witness Anonymity

SOCPA

Protected Persons Service

Assessment 1 requires LO’s 2 and 3 to be addressed.

Students will produce an individual written essay based upon a critical review of policy and strategy used in the investigation of homicide and/or major crime. Students will be expected to consult the research literature to extend their understanding of the module`s content, and to apply appropriate theoretical perspectives and research findings to an in-depth critical evaluation, together with recommendations as to response.

Assessment 2 requires LO’s 1 and 2 to be addressed.

Students will be required to produce an individual presentation, which requires students to identify an issue in the workplace (case study) seek out what the evidence says in relation to that issue and then demonstrate how it can/will be used to influence the development of a suitable response.

Critically assess the roles and responsibilities associated with investigation of Major Crime including Homicide.

Critically evaluate the Investigative strategies used in the investigation of Major Crime and Homicide.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the strategic use of specialists and the management of witnesses and victims for Major Crime investigations.

The module is delivered by way of online lectures (synchronous and asynchronous), which provides students with an overview of strategic management of homicide and major crime with a focus on theory and investigative practice.

Detailed pre-reading will be required before taught sessions, and students will be supervised as they seek to develop ideas for their Independent Studies. The module will use a flipped learning approach from the outset which will encourage the students in the self-directed aspect of the learning in this module. Pre -reading, pre lecture study and pre lecture tasks will be a key feature of the flipped learning approach.

The lecture sessions will provide practically based scenario examples which will allow for group tasks for formative feedback.

Amankwaa, A.O. and McCartney, C., 2021. The effectiveness of the current use of forensic DNA in criminal investigations in England and Wales. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Forensic Science, 3(6), p.e1414.



Brookman, F., Jones, H., Williams, R. and Fraser, J., 2020. Dead reckoning: Unraveling how “homicide” cases travel from crime scene to court using qualitative research methods. Homicide studies, 24(3), pp.283-306.

College of Policing (2018). Family Liaison Officer (FLO) - College of Policing. [online] College of Policing. Available at: https://profdev.college.police.uk/professional-profile/family-liaison-officer-flo/. [Accessed 3rd April 2023]

CPS (2010). Witness protection and anonymity | The Crown Prosecution Service. [online] Cps.gov.uk. Available at: https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/witness-protection-and-anonymity. [Accessed 4rd April 2023]

Daeid, N.N., Hackman, L., Pope, S. and Puch-Solis, R., 2021. Interpretation of DNA data within the context of UK forensic science—investigation. Emerging Topics in Life Sciences, 5(3), pp.395-404.



Debus-Sherrill, S. and Field, M.B., 2019. Familial DNA searching-an emerging forensic investigative tool. Science & Justice, 59(1), pp.20-28.



Demleitner, N.V., 1998. Witness Protection in Criminal Cases: Anonymity, Disguise or Other Options?. The American Journal of Comparative Law, 46(suppl_1), pp.641-664.



Doak, J. and Huxley-Binns, R., 2009. Anonymous witnesses in England and Wales: charting a course from Strasbourg?. The Journal of Criminal Law, 73(6), pp.508-529.



Harries, K. and LeBeau, J., 2007. Issues in the geographic profiling of crime: review and commentary. Police Practice & Research, 8(4), pp.321-333.



Major crime investigative support. [online] nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk. Available at: https://nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/how-we-work/providing-specialist-capabilities-for-law-enforcement/major-crime-investigative-support. [Accessed 3rd April 2023]

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Major Incident Room Standardised Administrative Procedures (MIRSAP 2021) Document information. (2021). [online] Available at: https://library.college.police.uk/docs/NPCC/MIRSAP_V1_Nov_2021.pdf. [Accessed 17th January 2023]



Marono, A.J., Reid, S., Yaksic, E. and Keatley, D.A., 2020. A behaviour sequence analysis of serial killers’ lives: From childhood abuse to methods of murder. Psychiatry, psychology and law, 27(1), pp.126-137.



New national protected persons service starts work. [online] www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk. Available at: https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/new-national-protected-persons-service-starts-work#:~:text=The%20UK%20Protected%20Persons%20Service%20provides%20protection%20to [Accessed 3 Apr. 2023].



NPCC Homicide Working Group (2021). Major Crime Investigation Manual (MCIM 2021) Document information. [online] Available at: https://library.college.police.uk/docs/NPCC/Major-Crime-Investigation-Manual-Nov-2021.pdf. [Accessed 8th December 2022]

During this module, you will be encouraged to utilise Microsoft Teams and Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to support your learning. You will be invited to collaborate with students and academic staff virtually through Microsoft Teams. You will have access to a range of materials on Blackboard VLE including articles, lecture slides, and interactive activities. You will also be able to access a variety of digital material through our¿Library¿and¿specialist¿databases.¿

In this module you will build on your previous academic and / or operational experience of the management of homicide and major crime investigations and take the opportunity to research and critically evaluate the subjects. You will address the roles within major investigation, the instigation and initial response to a homicide, the strategic use of specialists and advisors to major crime investigators, and the management of witnesses around issues such as anonymity, SOCPA legislation and the protected person’s service. Your skills in critical engagement with these broad themes will be expanded and along with your own research built into the assessment for the module.