COURSE CURRICULUM

The MSc Policing and Criminal Investigation at Liverpool John Moores University combines rigorous academic study with practical skills development to prepare students for advanced roles in law enforcement and investigative work. Core modules cover a wide range of essential topics, including the recognition and identification of drugs, advanced research methodologies, and advanced investigative techniques, ensuring that students gain both theoretical understanding and hands-on experience. Modules on forensic and medicolegal death provide insights into post-mortem procedures, legal requirements, and the investigation of unnatural deaths, while forensic cognition focuses on understanding the psychology of violence and the experiences of victims. Investigative interviewing equips students with the skills to conduct ethically sound, effective interviews with witnesses, victims, and suspects, a critical component of criminal investigations. The program also includes a dissertation module, allowing students to design, conduct, and present an independent research project that demonstrates their analytical, critical, and practical competencies. Delivered by staff with extensive expertise in policing, forensics, victimology, and criminal investigation, the course fosters a collaborative learning environment and encourages engagement with contemporary developments in investigative practice. Graduates emerge as capable, reflective, and skilled practitioners, ready to excel in policing, investigative careers, and further research opportunities.