Applied Criminal and Forensic Investigation BSc (Hons)

This module  takes both a theoretical and practical approach to criminology and sociology. It examines the relationship between victims and those who commit crime and how to apply sociological, historical, psychological, criminal and cultural perspectives to the study of crime and punishment and how societies respond to such offending.

Students will learn several crime prevention principles and theories, and examine and discuss the role of the public, the police and both statutory and statutory authorities role in crime prevention.

The overall aim is to provide you with the knowledge and understanding of how investigative practice may be delivered in the future by developing decision-making, where policing takes responsibility to ensure that there is a credible evidence base to operational and business decisions in policing. You will be equipped to understand public expectations and techniques to identify predictable demand, while understanding the need to manage high-risk occurrences.

You will study the use of Artificial Intelligence in modern-day policing. Additionally, you will be given an understanding of evidence-based principles and the importance of practical outcomes that will reduce demand on investigations and increase public confidence. You will be given an insight into how practitioners and academics can develop new research and how to develop the skills required to disseminate and promote evidence-based research.

This module applies learning from IP4111 Introduction to Criminal Justice, Ethical Investigation and Academic Skills, IP4113 – Information, Intelligence and Decision Making and IP4112 – Forensic Practice, Legislation, Policy and Procedure in the first year. This module aims to focus on building an Investigation and allows you to apply learning in a safe teaching environment and to develop employability skills as criminal investigators. The intention is for you to investigate a reported crime from its initial report, up to presenting the developed case as evidence at court. This module builds on knowledge relating to criminal decision-making and the responsibilities of an investigator.

An investigative journey will include the Hydra Immersive Suite, where you will receive the report of the crime, develop a hypothesis of the cause and develop intelligence to identify a suspect. You will then attend the Crime Scene House, where you will build your skills implementing witness and forensic strategies and digital forensic strategies, as well as create ongoing decision logs to effectively record your decision-making processes. Having gathered all available sources of intelligence and evidence, you will plan and execute a search warrant culminating in the arrest of a suspect, along with Investigative interviewing of the identified suspect. Finally, you will prepare evidence in a case file that will ultimately be presented at a mock (Moot) court. You will also attend sessions in Chester Crown Court to witness police officers and witnesses present their evidence. This will allow students to apply learning and develop skills in criminal investigation, teamworking, public speaking and communication skills.

This module builds upon knowledge from the Level 4 module Information and Intelligence, helping you to identify legislative, ethical and professional considerations and demonstrate the application (through a case study) of the highly technical skills required when conducting digital crime investigation, evaluating the relevant legislation, national policy and specialist support structures available to investigators and the support of vulnerable victims and witnesses.

You will develop the skills to recognise the economic and social impact of digital crime, acknowledging community and business considerations when conducting digital crime investigations. Keeping whilst keeping a balanced, professional, and objective approach. Elements of the Module will be taught in a computer laboratory, allowing for a real-world experience of examining digital evidence and intelligence. You will learn the non-technical key skills required to perform as an investigator in this complex area of work, developing an understanding of the key concepts that are the bedrock of any digital investigation and how to secure and preserve key evidence.

The module builds upon the Digital World and how it impacts the most vulnerable in society. It explains the knowledge and understanding needed of the key issues and debates concerning multi-agency working in the context of protecting vulnerable children and adults who become or are at risk of being victims of crime. During this module, key guidance and preventive models will be discussed, which will lead to the recognition of what are the key issues that prevent effective multi-agency working and their impact on service delivery.

It explores all aspects of public protection in terms of how police manage criminal investigations and reduce the risks to the individual. Additionally, the prevention of risk towards the victim and how offenders are managed, identifying key issues, which you will need to analyse and evaluate in terms of multi-agency working. The module outlines key processes in criminal justice, including risk assessment and the planning and delivery of interventions to tackle dangerous offending. You will critically review the term ‘safeguarding’ and how interventions can be put in place to reduce the risk to individuals and protect the public.

You will use the Hydra Immersive Learning Suite, which is directly relatable to their assessment. You will use this immersive suite as it allows you to apply your learning in a safe supportive teaching environment.

You will gain knowledge to enable you to critically articulate key theories in relation to leadership and management skills and to evaluate and analyse how these skills are applied to investigate leadership in the United Kingdom. You will apply theories around teamwork, motivation, change management, toxic leadership, including power and conformity and be able to articulate how these affect team leadership. In addition, you will be able to discuss issues which arguably affect successful leadership, including the media, austerity, organisational structure and criminological aspects.

You will be able to articulate the professional importance of self-evaluation, self-improvement and reflective practice, as they take part in an immersive tabletop leadership scenario as you take on the role of a leader, an event commander at a large sporting event.

You will apply knowledge to complete a 4000-word written assignment on the skills and qualities required to be successful in organisational leadership.

This module builds on the Level 5 module relating to research methods and skills and evidence-based policing, providing an opportunity for students to carry out an in-depth study of a topic or issue based in, or closely allied to, Policing by independent study. The module will continue to develop your skills in the role of research in Policing, and examine some of the main theories and methodologies used in social science, and develop an understanding of the application of theory and methodology to research practice.

Students will then develop their ability to understand and define clearly a problem or area for further study. Students will develop the ability to extract relevant material from an in-depth literature review using primary and secondary sources and to design and undertake an original investigation using acceptable research methodologies. Finally, students will critically analyse and interpret results, to present a coherent and critical account of the work, developing time management skills and achieving a measure of independence, demonstrating proficiency in academic writing/referencing.