PPP129 Investigative Practice 1 (8)

Abstract

This subject develops students for the role of police as investigators. At an introductory level, the subject explores how police prepare for and undertake investigations ethically and professionally. It also introduces students to the use of logic and critical thinking to discover and analyse information in order to establish the truth of a matter. The final focus of this subject is upon the compilation of witness statements. By examining the rules of evidence, students will learn to obtain statements for presentation at court. This Session 1 subject addresses this learning through introductions to key principles and some extension of these through ongoing application. This scaffolds students towards the Session 2 PPP134 Investigative Practice 2 subject in which such understanding and application is extended and deepened.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Term 1
Internal	Goulburn Campus
Term 2
Internal	Goulburn Campus
Term 3
Internal	Goulburn Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: PPP129
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration	Grading System	School:
One term	HD/FL	School of Policing Studies

Enrolment restrictions

Available only to students in the Associate Degree in Policing Practice. Students will require internet access.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to explain and apply police powers with respect to investigations of crime and traffic offences, and the detention and questioning of suspected persons.
be able to describe the investigative process from attendance at a crime scene to presenting evidence in court
be able to explain an investigative methodology and describe how it enables police to determine the truth regarding a crime or incident
be able to prepare to carry out a minor investigation and to conduct interviews
be able to recognise, collect and preserve evidence taking into account police crime scene powers as well as ethical and practical considerations
be able to recognise various sources of information
be able to complete witness statements to a standard required at court
be able to fully investigate a variety of incidents, including the completion of relevant records and documents
be able to recognise, collect and preserve evidence taking into account legal considerations.
be able to describe the procedures required for presenting evidence in court.
be able to describe the PEACE model of investigative interviewing
be able to conduct a free recall interview with a victim/witness
be able to identify the Rules of Evidence and apply them both in the critique and the preparation of a victim/witness statement
be able to prepare an admissible witness statement from an interview conducted with a victim/witness
be able to describe the key principles within each relevant (ADPP Session 1) subject
be able to improve performance through evaluation and critical reflection
be able to apply these key principles through ongoing integrated classroom and practical policing scenarios

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:

Police as ethical investigators
Sources of information
Intelligence
Crime and incident scenes; police powers and their management
Overview of the PEACE model of Investigative Interviewing
Cognitive Interviewing (willing subjects)
Memory
Rules of Evidence focusing on fairness, reliability, relevance, hearsay and opinion evidence
Statement preparation
Critical reflection

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The information contained in the 2016 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 06 September 2016. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.