module specification

The aim of this module is to evaluate a range of policing strategies and investigative techniques in the UK. You will gain a critical knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, issues and practical considerations in criminal investigation. A review of miscarriages of justice and their consequences for the criminal justice system will frame an appraisal of the reforms made through legislation and codes of practice to improve investigative procedures and policing practices. You will acquire the conceptual tools to critically evaluate the impact of legislative reforms (e.g. PACE) on every day policing practices. You will consider questions of ethics, police culture, effectiveness, efficiency and public confidence alongside policing strategies (e.g. investigative interviewing, decision making, crime scene preservation, intelligence-led and covert policing). You will further consider these questions in the scrutiny of a number of public inquiries (e.g. Byford and Macpherson), and in an evaluation of police accountability systems.

On this module you will develop desirable skills required for effective police work including the ability to understand and interpret legislation, procedural guidelines and codes of practice relevant to criminal investigation; incorporate questions of ethics, public trust and accountability into investigative practice and decision making; communicate well with peers; and research, collate and organise information from a variety of sources, and present it in a coherent and concise way for information and peer review. The assessment will require you to carry out a critical evaluation of an investigative strategy or issue using a case study for peer review. You will conduct a peer review of another student’s evaluative piece.

Available for Study Abroad? YES

Introduction and criminal investigation – this session provides an introduction to the module and discusses the current professional context for criminal investigative practice (LO 1).

Miscarriages of Justice – reviews a number of miscarriages of justice and what can be learned from them in relation to police investigative procedures and practices (LO 2, 3, 5)

PACE, police discretion and police culture – looks at research evidence on PACE in practice, and the role of police discretion and police culture in investigative practice (LO 1, 2, 3, 4).

Investigative Interviewing – compares the US-based Reid interrogative, interviewing technique with the information-based interviewing technique pioneered in the UK, and the implementation of the latter (LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). 

Decision making – examines the national police decision making model and the ethics of decision making (LO 1, 2, 3, 4). 

Crime Scene Preservation – outlines the crucial importance of crime scene preservation in major incidents and crime scene preservation procedures (LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

Intelligence and Covert Operations – examines the ascendance of the intelligence-led approach to policing and the justifications for, effectiveness and
ethical issues around covert policing (LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). 

Lessons from Public Inquiries – evaluates lessons that can be learned from some well-known public inquiries (LO 1, 2, 3, 5). 

Police Accountability – evaluates the accountability structures of the police, including research on its effectiveness (LO 1, 2, 3, 4).

Assessment workshop – supports students with their assessments (LO 1, 2, 3 4, 5).

The teaching sessions will involve a blend of lectures, seminar activities, workshops and online materials. You will be set discovery tasks prior to the lecture/seminars such as reading academic material, an official report, news piece or a case study, watching/ listening to a relevant documentary, short film, or podcast. In the sessions, you will be expected to actively participate in discussions and debates linked to key concepts, themes, and case studies related to criminal investigative strategies. You are expected to attend, engage in all sessions, and collaborate with colleagues. You are also expected to undertake 6-7 hours independent reading/study per week to develop your knowledge and critical thinking skills; to support your engagement in the sessions and the completion of assignments. Workshops will also include opportunities for assessment preparation and reflective learning. For assessment, you will be expected to conduct an evaluation of an investigative strategy or issue using a case study approach and carry out a peer review of a fellow student’s evaluation. Following classroom sessions, to consolidate your learning you will have access to further reading and resources to further develop knowledge and understanding.

On the completion of this module you will be able to:

   1. Demonstrate a critical knowledge and understanding of key concepts, issues and practical considerations in criminal investigation.
   2. Acquire the conceptual tools to critically evaluate the impact of legislative reforms (e.g. PACE) on every day policing practices.
   3. Demonstrate a good understanding of important issues for reflective consideration during police investigations (e.g. ethics, effectiveness, efficiency and public  
       confidence). 
   4. Demonstrate desirable skills required for effective police work (e.g. understanding and interpreting legislation, procedural guidelines and codes of practice).  
   5. Critically evaluate an investigative strategy or issue using a case study approach and carry out a peer review of a fellow student’s evaluation.

Assessment 1: (70%) Essay: critical evaluation of an investigative strategy or issue using a case study approach.

Assessment 2: (30%) A peer review of another student’s critical evaluation of an investigative strategy or issue.    

These assessments will enable you to show you are able to: evaluate an investigative strategy or issue using a case study approach and carry out a peer review of a fellow student’s evaluation (LO 5); demonstrate a critical knowledge and understanding of key concepts, issues and practical considerations in criminal investigation (LO 1); demonstrate desirable skills required for effective police work (e.g. understanding and interpreting legislation, procedural guidelines and codes of practice) (LO 4).

Key Reading:

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/65C558AD-D523-BDA5-506B-46BDE813AD3E.html?lang=en&login=1