Unit Outline

This unit examines protocols for and approaches to interviewing witnesses and suspects in a range of investigative contexts. The questioning and interviewing techniques are explored within the context of serious or complex crimes, and the legislative and procedural requirements for interviews and interviewers are explored in depth.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Detail requirements of legislation and relevant protocols for the interviewing of witnesses and suspects in Tasmania.
2	Apply appropriate questioning techniques to obtain accurate accounts in relation to serious or complex crimes.
3	Develop and implement strategies to overcome false or misleading information obtained during interviews.
4	Evaluate the investigative relevance and value of information gathered.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Scenario and Legislation	See the MyLO site for the due date	0 %	LO1
Assessment Task 2:	Witness Interview	See the MyLO site for the due date	0 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 3:	Suspect Interview	Refer to Assessment Description	0 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Scenario and Legislation

Task Description:

Complete the discussions, assignments and quizzes in the Interviewing for Investigators training program in Brightspace.

Task Length:

Incorporated into the learning activities within Brightspace, each task approx 5-30 mins.

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Discussion participation, assignment and quiz completion.	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Witness Interview

Task Description:

You will demonstrate your interviewing skills by practicing a series of short mock interviews (one of which is a hurdle assessment you must pass before you can continue the training) and competing a (final assessed) full interview with an actor playing the role of a victim of a crime.

Location/timing: Conducted over the phone. Arranging times to complete mock interviews will be your responsibility. These can be booked via https://iitrainersutas.simplybook.me/v2/ but you will need to book with your allocated trainer for each Module.

Further instructions on your allocated trainer, when and how to book will be provided in due course though Brightspace and as advised by the Investigative Interviewing Trainers.
Full details and instructions available through the Interviewing for Investigators training program in Brightspace.

Task Length:

Mock interviews vary in length from 10 minutes to 25 minutes.

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Select and use appropriate questions and questioning techniques to elicit an accurate account from a witness.	LO2
2	Correct application of ground rules and interview protocol.	LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 3: Suspect Interview

Task Description:

Conduct an interview with a suspect as part of an investigation into a complex or serious crime.
This will be conducted during the infield component of LAW478 Investigative Practice.

Date Due: TBC – due on or before the last day of your assigned two weeks in-field component of LAW478.

Task Length:

Variable, depending on the investigation.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Comply with departmental policies, and work within legislative requirements.	LO1
2	Select and use appropriate questions and questioning techniques to elicit an accurate account from a suspect.	LO2
3	Introduce evidence and exhibits to challenge or clarify the account of a suspect.	LO3, LO4
4	Formulate and implement an interview plan.	LO3, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

There is no prescribed textbook for this unit.

There are several articles and other texts for you to read and engage with, and there are links or copies of these provided through Brightspace.

Recommended reading materials

There are several articles and other texts for you to read and engage with, and there are links or copies of these provided through Brightspace.

Other required resources

This course is mostly delivered online through two different learning systems - MyLO and Brightspace. MyLO is the online learning environment at the University of Tasmania. It is essential that you access the MyLO site at the beginning of semester and regularly thereafter as this is where all the critical information about the unit, including this unit outline, is located. The ‘Announcements’ tool, accessed via the ‘Communication’ tool on the MyLO home page, is the primary medium for communication between the unit coordinator, course directors, and students. Your final assignment must also be submitted through MyLO.
The Learning content is predominantly delivered through the Centre for Investigative Interviewing’s online learning environment - Brightspace. You will receive emails to your police email regarding access to Brightspace.
The online learning components in Brightspace have been set out to allow you to work through them at your own pace, and to enable you to practice in the field as you learn and develop new skills. The learning activities are organised sequentially, with progress through the course reliant upon successful completion of the preceding activities.
There are 5 ‘mock’ interviews which you must conduct during the course, and for which you will receive feedback. Booking via this link for these ‘mock’ interviews (which are conducted over the phone) with your allocated trainer is your responsibility.
Getting help with MyLO
It is important that you can access and use MyLO as part of your study in this unit. To find out more about the features and functions of MyLO, and to practice using them, visit the Getting Started in MyLO unit.
For access to information about MyLO and a range of step-by-step guides in pdf, word and video format, visit the MyLO Student Support page on the University website.
If something is not working as it should, contact the Service Desk (phone 6226 2600 or request ITS help online through the Service Portal).
Getting help with Brightspace
For technical assistance with Brightspace, please contact the CII team on cii.training@griffith.edu.au.