Crime and Investigation BSc (Hons)

This module develops your range of oral, written and professional skills needed to work as a member of an investigative team dealing with the wide range of challenging situations you are likely to encounter in the workplace. You will be involved in simulated crime scenes and practical exercises.

You develop the knowledge and skills to work effectively as a member of a team within a criminal or civil law enforcement investigation.

A series of keynote lectures from qualified crime scene examiners, police and forensic personnel are linked to tutorials dealing with study skills, simulated crimes scenes, role-plays and practical exercises.

Assessment
Typically a trial is used for this 250 word report, an example is: In 250 words describe the outcomes of a recent criminal trial and how it affected the admissibility of evidence, such as the 1993 Daubert ‘v’ Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical Incorporated (30%).

You also submit a portfolio which may contain a range of simulated court attendance and associated statement; fibre tapings from seat; fibre tapings from window; blood swab; powdered footwear mark; powdered and lifted fingerprint from flat surface; powdered and lifted fingerprint from a curved surface; set of ten prints; hair combings from suspect; item of clothing packaged; and a presentation.

This portfolio meets a number of Skills for Justice National Occupational standards for crime scene investigators and the Crime Scene Investigation component for the Forensic Science Society.

This module begins by examining the historical role of the enforcement of laws, within England and Wales. Particular attention focuses upon the historical development and contemporary role and function of policing, forensic investigation, the investigation of sudden death, the process of criminal investigation and the role of victims and witnesses. The module also introduces you to a range of theoretical explanations of crime and deviance.

Skills for successful legal study and success in either legal practice or a non-legal career are the focus of this module. You look at the use and sourcing of legal materials, legal research and how to tackle legal questions. You learn the fundamental processes of legal reasoning beginning with the doctrine of judicial precedent, followed by an examination of judicial approaches towards interpreting statute. You learn the key skills of the lawyer in practice, enabling you to identify and practice the necessary skills for the conduct of cases including the preparation and presentation of arguments.

You explore digital data, devices in modern society, and digital investigation principles and guidelines.

This module begins by introducing you to historical, criminal investigations. This will then develop your awareness of some of the most important investigations in criminal history in England and Wales.

This module develops and strengthens the skills which are essential for study within a higher education environment. These skills include the ability to work effectively and independently within the guidelines operated by the school and the University, such as; adherence to academic regulations, time management and the organisation of academic work, analytical thinking and writing skills, the use of basic research and data presentation technique(s), referencing and employability related skills such as developing a CV and building/seeking opportunities to develop work related experience through volunteering and placements.

This module introduces you to issues relating to contemporary investigation practices. Building on knowledge gained in level 4 modules, it will expand your existing knowledge of criminal investigations, broadening the focus to include state and political crime, and issues relating to the recording of crime and the sentencing of offenders. Assessment focuses around researching a topic, presenting it, and reflecting upon that process.

This module allows you to demonstrate a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of fingerprints and their use in the investigative process. It lets you synthesise, appraise and evaluate data and evidence from relevant and reliable sources to make independent judgements on the analysis, comparison, verification and evaluation of fingerprints.

This module will be assessed by the completion of practical sessions classifying and verifying fingerprints and the writing of a 2,000-word critical discussion.'

This module introduces you to the range of research methodologies used by social scientists. You acquire an understanding of how research informs your academic discipline: why researchers use particular research methods to investigate specific issues and how to evaluate methodological decisions. The module also introduces you to key research design, data collection and analysis techniques through practical activities and engaging with existing research. Ethics and practical issues will form a central theme of the module.

This module will develop your existing knowledge in relation to crime and its investigation, drawing on existing cases to offer an updated context, focusing on current investigative practices, preparing you for your final year of study.

In this module you are provided with an opportunity to develop a critical knowledge and understanding of the nature and purpose of the criminal law, the basic elements of a crime, and a variety of specific criminal offences and defences. You will also develop a detailed and critical understanding of the rules and regulations which impact on the modern investigation of crime, with a particular focus on human rights.

You develop your graduate skills in preparation for employment in a professional context. You have the opportunity to gain academic credit based on your participation in work experience, a short period of professional activity or work-related learning relevant to the discipline or area of professional interest. You develop an understanding of graduate employment pathways, opportunities, reflective practice and experiential learning. The core focus of the module will be helping you prepare for a graduate career, developing an understanding of professional working contexts and enabling you to identify and evidence your own graduate skills.

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You are introduced to a range of theoretical concepts relating to terrorism, and explore a number of key issues including definitions of terrorism; ideologies; typology; traditional and contemporary group structures; strategies and tactics; methods of operation; target selection; use of technologies; funding; and media impact.

You study a number of influential terrorist groups, which provide you with the opportunity to relate theoretical concepts to terrorist motivations and organizational structures. These groups will include Irish nationalist/republican groups; Islamic; political and domestic extremist terrorist organizations.

The module will help students explore the development, organisation and practice of policing in modern society. Students will be introduced to key concepts, theories and debates in the sociology of the police. The module situates policing within the wider institutional configuration of security and social control and facilitates an understanding of how economic, political and ideological factors shape these institutions. It examines a range of historical and comparative issues in police organisation, deployment and practice from a British and comparative perspective. The module also encourages students to reflect on the implications of these dimensions of policing for democratic government, civil liberties and human rights.

You will explore a number of key issues in this module including new police products such as the core investigative doctrine, the impact of the growth in serious and organised criminal activity upon national and transnational investigations, the increasing use of technology within investigation and the role of other professionals in investigation.

This module allows you to demonstrate a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of fingerprints and their use in the Investigative Process. It will allow you to synthesise, appraise and evaluate data and evidence from relevant and reliable sources to make independent judgements on the assessment, comparison, evaluation and verification of fingerprints.

This module focuses on the law concerned with the obtaining and admissibility of evidence at trial. It challenges you to explore the relevance of evidence in the investigatory process and during the criminal trial. Whilst the module is suited for those who wish to continue their studies and join various legal or investigative professions, it is an academic module and examines the law of evidence from an academic viewpoint.

You conduct an in-depth, self-directed and self-managed research project on a selected substantive area of law. You develop comprehensive knowledge and understanding of your chosen topic and develop your academic and transferable skills to a high level.

You develop your graduate skills in preparation for employment in a professional context. You have the opportunity to gain academic credit based on your participation in work experience, a short period of professional activity or work-related learning relevant to the discipline or area of professional interest. You develop an understanding of graduate employment pathways, opportunities, reflective practice and experiential learning. The core focus of the module will be helping you prepare for a graduate career, developing an understanding of professional working contexts and enabling you to identify and evidence your own graduate skills.

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This level 6 module adopts a comprehensive approach to the study of violence, exploring violent behaviour on a number of levels. The module will interrogate definitions of violence, explanations of violence and differing forms and manifestations of violence. For instance, the module will address violence as subjective and interpersonal, analysing a range of explanations and the social and situational characteristics of violence from the perspective of both perpetrators and victims. With this in mind, the module will explore different forms of subjective violence such as violence against women, football violence, violence and the night-time economy. The module will also take a wider approach to address structural and symbolic violence in the form of state violence and the harms which derive from political and economic systems. The module also aims to assess the place of violence within culture and the consequences for the individual and society of profligate cultural violence. Taken as whole, the module aims to offer students a clear sense of how violence links to a range of contemporary cultural and structural conditions.