{page 64}

MSc
Investigative Forensic Psychology

Location
Southwark

Duration
2 years, plus dissertation (part-time)

Start date
September

Number of places
25

Simple timetable info
Part-time. The course is 6 hours per week 3pm to 9pm, 1 day per week.

How to apply
Direct to LSBU

LSBU code
3390

Course contacts
Dr Rachel Wilcock

Course Director
mscifp@lsbu.ac.uk – 020 7815 5857
Dr Anne Ridley
ridleyam@lsbu.ac.uk – 020 7815 5758

Non-standard entry requirements
Applications are also welcomed from those without the required qualifications who possess the life/work skills that would make them suitable to study at this level.

Course units
Students will complete 8 units (7 compulsory plus 1 option in Year 2)

Year 1

– Introduction to Cognitive and Social Psychology, Witness Psychology, Psychological Aspects of Investigations, Research Methods 1

Year 2

– Vulnerable Witnesses and Suspects

– Decision Making in the Forensic Context and Research Methods 2 Options

– Policing; Terrorism; Evidence, Science and Technology; or a Work-based Portfolio.

– Research Dissertation. Students will also conduct an original project worth the equivalent of 4 units.


Course description

This MSc will provide students with a thorough theoretical and applied knowledge of the psychological issues and research related to the investigation of crime and the courtroom. During the course students will be introduced to topics such as: interviewing suspects and witnesses, detecting deception and the problem of suggestibility, factors that affect accuracy in police line-ups, and offender profiling and decision making during investigative and legal processes. In addition issues surrounding vulnerable witnesses and suspects will be investigated and the role of expert witnesses will be explained and reviewed.

One unit in Year Two of this part-time course will be an option in a field related to investigative psychology such as criminology or law. Alternatively, for this final unit, students working in suitable organisations may opt to produce a practice-based reflective portfolio. The final part of this course will be an empirically-based research project, using either qualitative or quantitative methodology. Students will have a personal supervisor to guide them. Assessment methods will vary depending on the units, but are a combination of coursework, presentations, examinations, and portfolios.

Career opportunities

Potential employers are: the police, prisons, Customs and Excise, Home Office and both security and research and development organisations. Students already employed in these areas will find the MSc contributes to both their practice and development opportunities.

Typical background of applicant

Students should either be graduates with a minimum of a 2:2 in Psychology, Criminology, or Forensic/Social Sciences or be able to demonstrate APEL from a relevant professional environment.

Professional contacts/industry links

This MSc has been developed in consultation with the Metropolitan Police Crime Academy.

Recent guest lecturers

– Dr Mandeep Dhami, University of Cambridge

– Dr Coral Dando, University of Leicester

Additional notes

This course is unique in that it is one of only two MSc courses in the country, and the only MSc in the South of England, which focuses on the criminal investigation aspects of forensic psychology. The course will be delivered by academic staff and guest practitioners with specialist knowledge and research experience in the area, providing a thorough grounding in this dynamic new discipline.