Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Investigations

Course Introduction

This Oxford Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Investigations training course is a great chance for law enforcement officers and staff who want to improve their ability to investigate all crime types efficiently and effectively from basic theft cases through to serious and complex enquiries. It will explain the importance of adopting a clear and robust methodology when investigating crimes, roles, and responsibilities of those involved, gathering intelligence and evidence from numerous sources, and how to best utilise human, technical, and financial resources.

This training course will explain internationally tried and tested best practice processes and models that can be used during initial the incident response, crime scene management, obtaining victim and witness testimony and identifying, arresting, and interviewing suspects. It will highlight how to harvest compelling evidence whilst maintaining the highest standards of integrity and ethics. Through practical and realistic case studies, it will illustrate the mechanics of investigating crimes as part of a team seeking to deliver a search for the truth, justice for victims and increase community trust, confidence and security.

This Oxford Management Centre training course will highlight:

• Importance of securing and preserving intelligence and evidence for criminal investigations in a disciplined and methodical way
• Best practice on crime scene management and searching of persons, vehicles, buildings and open spaces
• Key roles and responsibilities of those engaged in crime investigations at both strategic and tactical levels
• Importance of obtaining evidence from victims, witnesses and suspects through the application of a structured investigative interviewing model
• Delivering the most efficient and effective investigations utilizing human, financial and technical resources with value for money

Objectives

By the end of this training course, the participants will be able to: 

• Explain and deliver best practices around effective crime investigations from the initial response, detailed investigation through to suspect management and case building
• Understand the importance of adopting methodical crime investigation management processes including “Golden Hour” principles, House-to-House Enquiries, Fast Track Actions and Lines of Enquiry
• Understand and implement the PEACE investigative interviewing model around victims, witnesses, and suspects
• Identify and utilize various intelligence gathering techniques to support and enhance the investigative phases
• Identify the most effective ways to gather evidence particularly regarding crime scene management and searches of persons, vehicles, buildings and open spaces

Training Methodology

This Oxford Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Investigations training course will have subjects presented in utilising a variety of proven adult learning techniques, focused on case studies and best practices. This will include PowerPoint presentations, active participation in class practical cases followed by active group sessions, video materials, and tabletop activities.

Organisational Impact

The organisation will acquire a thorough understanding of best practices around criminal investigations upon attending this Oxford training course, includes the following benefits: 

• Establish a comprehensive foundation regarding the fundamentals and challenges of criminal investigations
• Enhance the quality of evidence available to deliver successful prosecutions whilst maintaining integrity and transparency
• Improve the competence, capability, and performance of staff to secure, preserve and present evidence for judicial proceedings
• Increase the effectiveness and efficiency of investigating all crime types and getting value for money
• Enhance public trust and confidence in the organisations' ability to investigate crime and bring criminals to justice
• Develop robust structures, processes, and discipline around criminal investigations

Personal Impact

This training course will personally benefit the participants to gain or enhance their understanding and knowledge by the following:

• Appreciating the importance of adopting clear structures, processes, and models whilst investigation crime incidents
• Awareness of the key challenges and most effective ways of gathering intelligence and evidence in criminal investigations
• Identifying the roles and responsibilities of those engaged in the investigation including effective communication at all levels and through all disciplines
• Understanding the skills and abilities required of an effective investigator including managing crime scenes, conducting searches, obtaining witness testimony, interviewing suspects and building strong cases
• Developing the confidence to make clear and well-thought-through decisions so that resources are appropriately used, value for money delivered and victims fully supported throughout
• Understanding the importance of adopting an investigative mindset by constantly keeping an open mind, evaluating information and testing theories

Who Should Attend?

This Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Investigations training course is suitable for a wide range of law enforcement officers and staff engaged in the investigation of the crime of all descriptions.

This course is a suitably wide range of professionals but will significantly benefit: 

• Police Officers
• Prosecutors
• Security Services
• Immigration and Customs Officers
• Homicide, Kidnap, and Rape Investigators
• Counter-Terrorism Investigators
• Serious and Organized Crime Investigators
• Any other agency tasked with investigating crime

Course Outline

Day 1

First Response to Crime

Day 2

Investigation Management 

Day 3

Intelligence and Evidence Gathering 

Day 4

Investigative Interviewing 

Day 5

Suspect Management and Case Building