Information and Investigation

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Abstract

Students will study the theories that attempt to explain why crime happens, and how these theories inform frameworks of information gathering and investigative practice. They will plan for the application of the frameworks to both specific investigations and, more broadly, to community policing and crime prevention. Students will also evaluate and interpret data and statistics relevant to investigative practice. They will learn to identify sources of information (including the public, the witness, the suspect, the informant, the investigative interview, the policing community, the intelligence community, and the forensic community) and will learn strategies for information gathering and exchange that are effective, legal and ethical. This subject gives students a good foundational knowledge which will be applied more practically in JST313 Investigative Interviewing and JST322 Crime Reduction.

Syllabus

MemoryEyewitness evidenceEyewitness identification evidenceConfessionsStatementsTestimonyOffender profilingCrime profilingInterviewing skills in a variety of settingsThe nature of interrogationGathering information from people, intelligence and informersEthics and policing

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to research and interpret data relevant to a specific investigation, community policing event or crime prevention objective;

be able to apply your knowledge of the theories of criminal behaviour to determine an appropriate policing framework for an investigation, community policing event or crime prevention objective and justify the framework selected with academic evidence;

be able to plan an investigation by applying a framework to source relevant information legally and ethically; and

be able to demonstrate the communication literacies and digital skills required of a competent criminal justice practitioner.

Assumed knowledge

Only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Policing, Bachelor of Policing (Investigations), Bachelor of Border Management and the Bachelor of Public Safety and Security.