Improving Legal Testimony and Evidence in Court and Investigation

Please note

This document only provides information for the academic year selected and does not form part of the student contract

School:

School of Human and Health Sciences

Credit Rating:

Level (including FHEQ):

M (FHEQ Level 7)

Graded or Non Graded:

Graded

Version Valid From:

2023-09-01

Module Leader:

Maria Ioannou

Version Number

2024.02

Learning Methods

Guided Independent Study

Synopsis

You will have the opportunity to explore potential sources of error in the evidence at every stage of an investigation from initial witness statements, through comments from suspects, to how evidence is presented in court. How to increase the accuracy and detail of the information as well as its reliability and validity, reducing biases, distortions and errors by drawing on psychologically informed procedures, notably in relation to interviewing witnesses, victims and suspects will also be explored. The module will also examine the variety of procedures that have been developed to improve the effectiveness of investigative interviews. You will explore factors that lead to false confessions and reasons for false allegations of rape. In addition, students will be made aware of the regulatory constraints that relate to the interviewing process.

Learning Strategy

This module will be delivered by a combination of online synchronous lectures, synchronous group-based seminars, and asynchronous guided independent study. In addition, you will have use of the VLE for exchange of information and learning material and you will have the chance to participate in online synchronous sessions on accessing … For more content click the Read More button below.

Outline Syllabus

Challenges to Investigative InformationImproving Testimony: Eyewitness Evidence; Psycholinguistics of Questioned DocumentsSuspect InterviewingDetecting Deception and Determining Veracity: Detecting Lies to False Allegations and ConfessionsVulnerable and Child Witnesses/SuspectsInvestigative and Legal Decision-making

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will

Comprehensively explicate and evaluate the range of information that is available during police investigations and the main potential sources of error.

Critically test a range of interviewing strategies that may be employed to gain information within investigative contexts.

Predict the system and estimator variables within a case that may lead to faulty or misleading information.

Evaluate the reliability and accuracy of the information available within the investigative and legal process.

Utilise psychological models to address challenges within legal and investigative processes.

Formative Assessment

Assessment 1: Written practice exercise

Assessment 2: Quizzes / polls

Summative Assessment

Assessment 1: Written Assignment

Assessment Criteria

The school generic grading criteria and the learning outcomes will apply.   Identities of individuals and organisations should be anonymised, and confidences respected.  The expectation is that text based assessment tasks will be submitted via Turnitin®.

Course and Module Catalogue