M35 Aspects of the Investigative Process
Aims and Learning Outcomes
This module aims to provide students with advanced knowledge and understanding of methods and practice in psychological applications to processes in the justice system in accordance with the requirements of the Division of Forensic Psychology of the British Psychological Society accreditation criteria that are pre-requisite for Chartered status.
By the end of this modules students are expected
- to be trained in the informed and systematic application of the research-practitioner model involving the critical reading of research, an appreciation of research methods both qualitative and quantitative, in applying psychology to the investigative process.
- to be knowledgeable about the major theoretical formulations and models applicable to the investigative process such as offender behaviour in order to provide a conceptual underpinning to inform their approach to theory and practice.
- to have developed interpersonal, technical and creative skills required for the effective analysis and formulation of problems connected to the investigative process and evaluation of domain relevant interventions.
- to have created a theoretical and a practice based assessment to prepare students to make the transition to supervised practice.
- to be able to self-reflect in support of personal and professional development and ethical conduct with respect to conducting research and behaviour towards colleagues and client groups.
Course Convenor
Other Contributors
Dr Julian Boon, Dr Miranda Horvath, Dr Margaret Wilson, Sebastian Teicher, DC Anthony Tenison
Contact Hours
20
Required Prerequisite Study
None.
Completion Requirement
Completion of the module (and acquisition of 15 course credits) requires a total of 20 contact hours in the form of lectures and seminars. Students are also required to invest a minimum of 100 hours of study time in completion of the module.
Assessments
The assessments for this module require critical thinking and for you to respond to some interesting and real life problems facing the police. The assessment word limit is strict and should be adhered to. Therefore you should write in a succinct yet informed and relevant way to encompass all of the information you are required to cover. Please ensure you consider the requirements of the assignment and respond accordingly. Make sure you read the question properly and respond to this. Whilst it is likely you will need to consider and review the literature, these assignments require furthering your thinking and developing your arguments with consideration of the implications for the real world.
Your essay style assignments should be coherent and structured and respond to the problem set. The Expert Report requires a different style of writing and you will have to think more widely than for a typical academic essay assignment. Please ensure you think about the practicalities for people working in the field rather than purely the academic area. Attention to detail, coherence, writing style, and innovation are all positive things to consider when developing the material and writing your assignments. Please ensure you proof read your work prior to submission and check grammar, spelling and paragraph usage. Use sub headings if they assist in the clarity of the assignment.
NB: You should choose a different topic area for each assignment to ensure that you gain a wider understanding of the literature. Therefore if you write an essay assignment focusing on police interviews, this cannot be used for an assignment for the expert report.
Assignment 1: Essay (max 3000 words)
These are example questions:
- To what extent can interviews with convicted offenders in post-conviction settings assist in the police investigation of major crime offences? Discuss in relation to arson OR homicide OR sexual offending.
- Evaluate the ways in which major crime suspects can negatively influence interviews and challenge police officers. In what ways can police interviewers respond and combat these tactics and strategies?
- In what ways could fire investigation officers work with the police to assist the investigation of arson and the interviewing of arson suspects?
- In what way should our understanding of multiple perpetrator sexual offending differ from offences where offenders act alone? Support your argument with literature and evidence from your evaluation of real life offences.
- What is the evidence for and against the assessment of credibility in pre-conviction forensic interviews? Discuss in relation to police interviews and pre-court assessment interviews.
Assignment 2: Expert report (max 3500 words)
This assignment requires you to write a report as though you are working as a consultant to the police on a specific problem they have identified and are seeking advice. Your report should be written with consideration of police practice and also academic theory and research. Remember that this is a report and should be written appropriately for the audience it is intended for. You should think about the requirements of the police and ensure that your focus is tailored to this. Please choose one of the following and write a report (format outlined below) covering the specifics of what has been requested from the police officer involved.
Suggested Reading
These are some relevant texts although you are recommended to seek out relevant journal articles as appropriate and also other books in the field. Due to the diverse nature of this topic area, there is no particular recommended text.
Ainsworth, P. (1995). Psychology and Policing in a Changing World. Chichester: Wiley.
Ainsworth, P. B. (2004). Offender Profiling and Crime Analysis. Cullompton: Willan Publishing.
Canter, D. & Alison, L. (eds.) (1999). Interviewing and Deception. Aldershot: Ashgate.
Gudjonsson, G. H. (2003). The Psychology of Interrogations and Confessions: A Handbook. Chichester: Wiley.
Holmes, S. T. & Holmes, R. M. (2002). Sex Crimes: Patterns and Behavior. London: Sage Publications.
Jackson, J. & Bekerian, D. A. (eds.). Offender Profiling: Theory, Research and Practice. Chichester: Wiley.
Memon, A., Vrij, A., & Bull, R. (2003). Psychology and Law: Truthfulness, Accuracy and Credibility. Chichester: Wiley.
Milne, R. & Bull, R. (1999). Investigative Interviewing. Chichester: Wiley.
Vrij, A. (2000). Detecting Lies and Deceit: The Psychology of Lying and the Implications for Professional Practice. Chichester: Wiley.