BSc (Hons) Policing and Investigation (Distance Learning) Bachelor's degree at the University of Portsmouth

You'll hone key skills like academic writing, APA referencing and critical source analysis, as well as research skills such as basic data analysis and presentation. This module will help you feel confident about self-directed study, giving you transferable abilities to analyse complex issues, back claims with evidence, and convey multifaceted criminology topics clearly to diverse audiences.

You'll explore theories of justice and find out exactly how a criminal case makes its way through the legal system, from crime to verdict. You'll focus initially on the processes in England and Wales before comparing these to alternative systems used globally. By the end of the module, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of criminal justice principles and will be able to comfortably interpret complex legal terminology and materials.

You'll first explore the historical developments leading to modern policing structures in England and Wales, before comparing different international models to consider wider contexts shaping police forces around the world. You'll then learn methodologies for conducting police investigations, from initial crime reports to deciding when to charge a suspect. You'll also explore the key legislation governing investigations, as well as conceptual models like due process versus crime control.

You'll explore how social, economic and political change has continually reshaped police roles, structures and governance over time. You'll tackle issues around trust, legitimacy, culture and misconduct that contribute to tensions between police forces and their communities. By evaluating evidence and perspectives from policing around the world, you’ll analyse major contemporary challenges, from crime complexity to governance accountability.

You'll deepen your practical knowledge by planning and conducting research investigations, before practising how to communicate your findings in various different ways. You'll work on your research projects both independently and in groups, keeping in mind the ethical dimensions of criminological research and how to uphold integrity.

On this module, you’ll learn how intelligence analysis and data protection principles are applied to inform investigative work, evaluating new technologically-enhanced techniques. You'll discuss emerging challenges from digital evidence to community partnership approaches. You’ll also examine examples of miscarriages of justice to spotlight critical failure points across the legal process.

You'll analyse how groups, from religious extremists to eco-activists, turn to violence, evaluating the psychological and social factors that lead to radicalisation. You’ll look in-depth at the strategies created to address counterterror operations, building a nuanced understanding of challenges balancing security, rights and freedoms. Through comparative case studies, you’ll appraise the effectiveness of initiatives tackling the root causes of terrorism versus policing tactics targeting threats directly.

You'll think critically about approaches for mitigating the risk of cybercrime, learning how best to respond to attacks and build resilience against constantly advancing threats. By weighing up organisational policies, key theories and the dynamic technological landscape, you'll gain skills that can be used to help tackle cybercrime and enhance security.

You’ll consider this from a historical and theoretical perspective, and weigh up the efficacy of new innovations in forensic psychology. You’ll learn how forensic psychology practices and decision-making impact upon the public, and key players within the justice system.

You'll access our crime scene simulations to learn practical forensic and crime science techniques, before learning how to assess the value of physical evidence in the context of criminal investigations. You'll develop your understanding of key forensic principles so you can appreciate the real-world impact of forensic science across the criminal justice system. By the end of the module, you'll know which scene processing methods to use in which cases, as well as how to compare analysis techniques and evaluate evidence.

You'll demystify concepts of organised crime while exploring the realities of gang culture through discussion, debate and case studies. You'll analyse international syndicates trafficking everything from wildlife to weapons. You'll also examine responses to these threats, from policing tactics to policies tackling the socioeconomic forces that lead to organised crime.

You'll examine the theoretical models that underpin diverse rehabilitation initiatives, from restorative justice to desistance promotion, and look at real-world case studies. You'll also consider how rehabilitation works for different kinds of offenders - which rehabilitative methods effectively support specific groups and behaviours?

You'll assess the reforms that aim to support victims in the criminal justice system. Analysing theoretical models, you’ll also gain insight into the factors that make becoming a victim more likely - from domestic abuse to hate crimes.

You'll explore policing that involves individuals, teams and techniques not usually used to combat volume crime, as well as the contemporary investigation of crimes such as murder, child abuse and domestic abuse. You'll also examine how and why things sometimes go wrong in high profile investigations, and look at strategies for improvement.

You’ll explore the nature of terrorism, the underlying root causes, enabling factors and strategic considerations of terrorist organisations, and the policy tools designed to pursue terrorist organisations and to prevent attacks. Through historical and modern case studies, you’ll discover ways society can counter terrorism despite divergent international approaches.

You'll trace the historical, social and political forces that have shaped current attitudes and policies that relate to victims of crime. Weigh up how theoretical ideas on victimisation affect the way crime victims are treated. Through dynamic discussions and reflective writing, you'll evaluate the impact of reforms, legislation and support services on professional practices and victims' experiences. Debating political issues around emerging victims' rights, you'll develop your own perspectives on the evolving role of victims in criminal justice.

It's up to you what your dissertation is about – this will be your chance to showcase your passion for criminology and its associated disciplines by choosing a subject area or topic that most interests you. You'll draw on everything you've learned so far to investigate, analyse, craft and refine your dissertation or project, using existing texts, sources and artefacts to support your arguments and give them context. You'll have the support of a dedicated dissertation tutor to guide you throughout this module.