Accreditation - Unit 4
Topic outline
- General
General
Unit 4
Conduct fisheries and marine enforcement investigations
Overview
This unit is about you demonstrating knowledge and application of the procedures and legislative requirements in conducting an investigation into alleged offences. This includes knowledge of the various legislation in place which criminal investigators must adhere to and application of best practice for a variety of investigative procedures, from initial gathering and handling of information, notebook management, conducting searches and interviews, handling evidence, writing witness statements, through to completion of a prosecution case file. This unit also covers your understanding of providing evidence in court cases.
- Assessment Process
Assessment Process
Unit 4 is separated into 11 different modules that will assess your understanding of investigative legislation that you must adhere to, as well as your application of best practice for various investigative procedures. In carrying out your assessment of each, you can complete them in any order, and do not have to do them all in one go.
Each module is given on this front page, and contains within it resources and the formal assessment.
Resources
The resources in each module are specific to that one, and will provide you with the information required to complete your assessment. You don't have to use the resources prior to carrying out your assessment, but they will act as a useful reminder of the legislation relating to that module. You will of course have other resources to hand that you have acquired in your role that you might also wish to refer to before carrying out your assessment.
Quiz
Some of the more knowledge-based modules have a short quiz to help test your knowledge before doing the assessment. This quiz will not count towards your mark for that module, but will help direct your assessment and jog your memory. Again, you don't have to do the quiz before the assessment, but it may act as a useful reminder.
Assessment
Each module has its own individual assessment, enabling you to submit your work in bite-size amounts, rather than having to demonstrate all your knowledge and skills for the whole of Unit 4 in one go.
A 'blended' approach has been taken to assessment of the modules in this unit. This means that, when assessing your investigative knowledge and skills, there are different assessment methods applied. Some of the modules will be assessed via written assessment, whereby you are required to demonstrate your understanding of legislation or procedures, and the module asks you to 'explain' something. Other modules, which require a demonstration that you can apply best practice, will assess this in the form of evidence, and you will be required to submit evidence to be assessed by uploading it to the LMS.
For the written assessments, each is a short written assignment which asks you to capture your personal understanding of that area of investigations. The assignment will ask you to summarise or explain a particular topic, and will then give you some pointers as to what things you should cover in it. It will also give you a suggested word count, which will give you an idea as to what level of detail your assessor will be looking for in your answer.
When completing your assignment for a particular module, you will be given a link to the respective form onto which you should type your answer and save accordingly. That way you can check your spelling, grammar and word count before you submit it, as well as save and come back to it as required.
Sensitive information and Redaction
During this Unit there is likely to be occasions when you need to upload material that is potentially sensitive with regard to a particular inspection or investigation.
For the evidence based assignments in this Unit, you will need to submit evidence from investigations you have worked on during the course of your job. It is important that these are redacted appropriately, please see the guidance here.
If you are in any doubt about whether you should be submitting such material please contact your Line Manager or Case Officer for clarification.
- Module 1 Summarise the legislative framework that governs investigators of criminal offences
Module 1 Summarise the legislative framework that governs investigators of criminal offences
You will need to identify the legislation that governs how investigations are conducted, in particular legislation governing:
- surveillance and sources of information
- searches
- interviews under caution
- seizure and handling of evidence
- disclosure of relevant material
- protection of a suspects rights.
The legislation has been provided for further reading should you wish to look up anything specific. You are not expected to read all the contents of the legislation.
- Module 2 Explain procedures for initiating an investigation
Module 2 Explain procedures for initiating an investigation
You will need to:
- explain the process by which an investigation is initiated within the organisation you work
- identify the different investigative tools available when conducting an investigation
- explain the different roles fulfilled in an investigation
- Module 3 Explain procedures for handling intelligence
Module 3 Explain procedures for handling intelligence
You will need to explain:
- the difference between information and intelligence
- what actions should be taken when receiving information
- how the organisation handles and disseminates intelligence
- Module 4 Explain legislation concerning surveillance and use of informants
Module 4 Explain legislation concerning surveillance and use of informants
You will need to explain:
- what surveillance is and what you can and cannot do under current legislation
- the definition of a Covert Human Intelligence Source (CHIS) and the legal requirements governing their use
- Module 5 Explain procedures for searches
Module 5 Explain procedures for searches
You will need to explain:
- best practice and the different roles fulfilled when conducting a search
- your powers relating to seizure of evidence
- procedures for seizing evidence
- Module 6 Explain the correct procedures relating to evidence handling
Module 6 Explain the correct procedures relating to evidence handling
You will need to explain how to maintain the integrity and continuity of evidence / exhibits and how to create an exhibit
- Module 7 Explain the correct procedures relating to disclosure
Module 7 Explain the correct procedures relating to disclosure
You will need to:
- explain what Disclosure is and why it is
important
- summarise the Disclosure Test
- explain used and unused material
- explain sensitive and non-sensitive material
- explain the difference between the material
listed on the MG6C, MG6D and MG6E
- summarise the role of Investigating Officer in
Disclosure
- summarise the role of the Disclosure Officer
- explain what Disclosure is and why it is
important
- Module 8 Explain procedures when providing information in formal hearings
Module 8 Explain procedures when providing information in formal hearings
You will need to :
- Summarise the two
prosecution tests
- Explain the differences
between the Magistrates Court and Crown Court
- Explain the different offence
categories
- Describe the process of
entering a plea
- Describe the process of
giving witness testimony for the prosecution at court.
- Summarise the two
prosecution tests
- Module 9 Interview suspects according to legislation and organisational procedures
Module 9 Interview suspects according to legislation and organisational procedures
You will need to:
- Understand legislation and principles for interviewing
suspects
- Plan and Prepare for interview
- Conduct an interview with a suspect
- Evaluate your interview
- Understand legislation and principles for interviewing
suspects
- Module 10 Write witness statements in accordance with best practice
Module 10 Write witness statements in accordance with best practice
You will need to demonstrate you can produce witness statements in accordance with best practice and covering the necessary information regarding your involvement in an investigation
- Module 11 Complete a prosecution case file
Module 11 Complete a prosecution case file
You will need to:
- explain what each of the main MG Forms are used for
- demonstrate appropriate completion of each of the main MG Forms
- Feedback and Time Assessment Unit 4
Feedback and Time Assessment Unit 4
- TEST
TEST
Option 1 - view scenario