Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Investigations Training Course

Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Investigations Training Course

Introduction

Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Investigations Training Course is a crucial professional development program for anyone involved in criminal investigations. It focuses on trauma-informed interviewing and victim-centered approaches to interviewing vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. The training provides essential investigative skills and ethical techniques to ensure that evidence collected is both legally compliant and forensically admissible. It's designed to build competency in handling sensitive cases, particularly those involving children and vulnerable adults, by adhering to national best practice guidelines.

The curriculum is built on the latest criminal justice standards and legal frameworks, including the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. It will equip you with the practical skills needed to plan, conduct, and document forensic interviews. You'll learn how to establish rapport, employ cognitive interviewing techniques, and navigate the complex legal requirements to protect the integrity of the investigation and the welfare of the witness. This course is a must for professionals seeking to enhance their investigative interviewing capabilities and contribute to a more just and effective criminal justice system.

Course Duration

5 days

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Master the principles of Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) in criminal proceedings.
2. Conduct ethical and trauma-informed interviews with vulnerable and intimidated witnesses.
3. Apply best practice guidelines for interviewing children and vulnerable adults.
4. Develop strategic interview plans for complex forensic investigations.
5. Utilize effective questioning techniques to elicit free narrative accounts from witnesses.
6. Understand legal and procedural frameworks under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.
7. Identify and address special measures available for witnesses in court.
8. Enhance skills in rapport-building and managing witness distress.
9. Produce high-quality, legally admissible video-recorded evidence.
10. Collaborate effectively with multi-agency teams in investigations.
11. Analyze and apply relevant case law and legal precedents.
12. Ensure witness welfare and safeguard against re-traumatization.
13. Critically evaluate and improve personal interview performance.

Organizational Benefits

• Ensures all interviews are conducted to a high standard, resulting in more reliable and legally sound evidence.
• Increases the likelihood of successful prosecutions by producing evidence that is forensically admissible and stands up to scrutiny in court.
• Reduces the risk of legal challenges, costly retrials, and damage to an organization's reputation due to poor investigative practices.
• Elevates the skills and confidence of staff, fostering a culture of excellence and ethical practice.
• Minimizes the need for repeat interviews, saving valuable time and resources.
• Shows a strong commitment to victim welfare and safeguarding vulnerable individuals, building trust with the public and stakeholders.

Target Audience

1. Police Detectives and Investigators
2. Child Protection Social Workers 
3. Local Authority Staff
4. Legal Professionals
5. Forensic Interviewers
6. Healthcare Professionals 
7. Victim Support Specialists
8. Border Force and Immigration Officers

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of ABE and Legal Frameworks

• Introduction to Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) principles and their importance.
• Overview of the legal landscape: Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 and other relevant legislation.
• Defining vulnerable and intimidated witnesses and their legal rights.
• The role of special measures in protecting witnesses.
• Case Study: Analyzing a real-world case where non-compliance with ABE guidelines led to a failed prosecution and its consequences.

Module 2: Planning and Preparation for the Investigative Interview

• Strategic planning, including multi-agency collaboration and intelligence gathering.
• The significance of pre-interview assessments and understanding the witness's needs.
• Structuring the interview: The PEACE model and other recognized frameworks.
• Selecting and preparing the interview environment and recording equipment.
• Case Study: A team of investigators plans an interview with a child witness in a complex abuse case, highlighting the critical planning steps and ethical considerations.

Module 3: Conducting the Interview: Rapport and Free Narrative

• Techniques for establishing rapport and building trust with a witness.
• Guiding the witness through the initial phase, including "ground rules."
• Mastering the free recall phase to obtain an unprompted account.
• Non-verbal communication and active listening skills.
• Case Study: Role-playing a successful interview where the interviewer's rapport-building skills enabled a vulnerable witness to provide key details of a crime.

Module 4: Questioning Techniques and Cognitive Interviewing

• The hierarchy of questioning: from open to specific questions.
• Application of cognitive interviewing techniques to enhance memory retrieval.
• Avoiding inappropriate and leading questions.
• Managing silence and probing for detail effectively.
• Case Study: A forensic interviewer uses cognitive questioning to help a witness recall crucial details of a robbery that they initially couldn't remember.

Module 5: Interviewing Specific Vulnerable Groups

• Tailoring interview techniques for children of different ages and developmental stages.
• Special considerations for interviewing witnesses with intellectual or physical disabilities.
• Approaches to interviewing victims of sexual and domestic violence.
• Working with intermediaries and interpreters.
• Case Study: Examining an interview with an autistic adult, focusing on the adjustments and communication strategies used to ensure the interview was a fair and effective process.

Module 6: Documentation and Evidence Management

• The importance of accurate and contemporaneous note-taking.
• Best practices for video and audio recording of interviews.
• Maintaining the chain of custody for all evidential material.
• The role of the co-interviewer and their responsibilities.
• Case Study: A multi-agency team documents an ABE interview, detailing the process of securing and cataloging the video recording for court presentation.

Module 7: Post-Interview Procedures and Court Preparation

• The interview closure phase and providing post-interview support to the witness.
• Writing comprehensive interview summaries and statements.
• Preparing the witness for the court process and explaining special measures.
• Giving expert witness testimony in court.
• Case Study: A witness receives pre-trial support and a familiarization visit to the court, which helps them feel more confident and prepared to give evidence.

Module 8: Professional Standards and Ethical Practice

• Maintaining a victim-centered approach throughout the investigation.
• Addressing ethical dilemmas in a criminal investigation.
• The importance of self-care and avoiding vicarious trauma.
• Continuous professional development and peer review.
• Case Study: A team debriefs after a particularly difficult case, discussing the emotional impact on the interviewers and the importance of professional support systems.

Training Methodology

This program utilizes a blended learning approach incorporating a mix of theoretical and practical training. Sessions will be highly interactive and include:

• Expert-led lectures and group discussions on ABE principles.
• Interactive workshops and practical exercises.
• Role-playing scenarios with professional actors to simulate real-world interviews with vulnerable and intimidated witnesses.
• Video analysis of both effective and ineffective interview techniques.
• Group critiques and one-on-one feedback sessions.
• Case study analysis to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations.

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: [email protected] or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.