POL5053 - Criminal Investigation and the Justice System

Objectives:

Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate the Learning and Employability outcomes for the relevant level of study. Level Learning Outcomes are embedded in the assessment task(s) at that level. This enables a more integrated view of overall student performance at each level.

Content:

This module will build upon the foundations on investigation at L4, and the depth of knowledge of how effective and ethical criminal investigation procedure relates to the justice process. The importance of following both legislation, and APP to a standard acceptable to the Crown Prosecution service, and what evidence is required to meet the ‘threshold test’ of evidence to bring a prosecution will be explored. This module includes an exam, which will provide the benchmark of knowledge required around the investigative standard, which is consolidated at L6 in Advanced Investigations.

This module will enable students to appreciate the purpose, benefit, and responsibilities of the criminal justice system in a variety of contexts. Students will explore the role of the criminal justice system, and the legislation surrounding this key area. This will build on their knowledge of victims and witnesses, and suspects and offenders. The module enables students to appreciate the importance of the stage of the court process, how diversity of individuals and society impact on the criminal justice system and how conduct and complaints are dealt with.

This module looks at the purpose of the criminal justice system and the responsibilities of those charged with delivering a professional service, how the investigator forms a central tenet as the ‘officer in the case.’ Students will review the role of the current legislation and processes that support the criminal justice system and will be able to understand the importance of gathering evidence to enable offenders to be convicted. The module will cover the processes for provision of materials for disclosure by the Crown Prosecution Service, and the stages of the court process will be explored.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Sessions are divided into mini lectures, followed by workshops to allow students to practice the concepts from the lectures and discuss ideas.

Lectures will build on theory and foundational concepts, utilising where possible digital learning tools, such as vevox and padlet to assist students in their understanding. Inclusive learning methods, such as visual elements – gamification, storyboards, videos etc will be incorporated into lecture plans to assist with breaking down more complex material, and to ensure students are confident with basic concepts.

Modules at this level will introduce more practical elements of legislative practice, and examination of cases to start critical review work. Evidence-based policing will form the corner stone of the curriculum, encouraging students to build on their research skills, and understand how academic practice influences operational professional work.

Some modules will build on the problem-based learning which students were introduced to at Level 4, which will become more pertinent at this level with more complex decision making and problem-solving ideas introduced. Simulation of the ‘real world’ investigative environment both within and outside policing will be introduced, and the differing methods looked at in more detail.

Lectures
Hours: 30
Intended group size: 25-60

Workshops
Hours: 10
Intended group size: 25-60

Guided independent study
Hours: 260

Further details relating to assessment
Component 1: Exam: Students will take part in a 1-hour exam which will focus on the legislation associated with specific aspects of the pre-court criminal justice process.

Component 2: Written Assignment: Students will examine the term ‘justice’ and using a case study provided, or one they choose by negotiation with the module lead, will examine different concepts, from different perspectives, of criminal justice in the British Legal System.

Formative assessment will be built into weekly sessions to aid understanding, clarify misconceptions, and enable staff to ensure learning is being understood, and students are able to apply it correctly to their work. Students will be able to take weekly quizzes, and practice ‘mock’ exam papers to familiarise themselves with the exam style adopted in this module.

Assessment:

001 Exam; 1 hr; End sem 2 50%
002 Written Assignment; 2000 words; End sem 2 50%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 5
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5S1

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