Experience what it’s like to be a detective in a murder investigation as you learn how psychology can help crack the case.
9,195 enrolled on this course
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
3 hours100% online
How it works
Investigating a Murder with Forensic Psychology
Explore applied psychology in the context of a criminal case
Psychology plays an important role in police enquiries. It can help build rapport, plan interviews, detect deception, and understand cognitive bias.
On this four-week course, you’ll explore the way suspects are dealt with during a police investigation and how psychology can help the police with their enquiries.
This immersive and engaging short course will showcase applied psychology in a highly interesting context.
Take on the role of detective to investigate a murder
You’ll become a detective investigating a murder as you join two fictional detectives working alongside a senior investigating officer.
This complex criminal case has been carefully written to be realistic by a team of academic and policing practitioner experts.
Understand the psychological skills of building rapport and identifying cognitive bias
You’ll delve into the psychological skills that can help police in an investigation. You’ll learn how to spot a liar, how to establish rapport, the impact of cognitive bias, and how to plan an interview.
This will also include investigating falses confessions and developing and assessing an interview plan.
Learn from the experts at The Open University
This interactive course has been created by the experts at The Open University’s Centre for Policing Research and Learning, and Forensic Cognition Research Group.
You’ll learn from the specialists with a well-established network of policing practitioners.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introduction to the case
Welcome to the course
Meet the academics who created the course and discover the fictional detectives who have inspired them. (© The Open University)
The investigation timeline
The Senior Investigating Officer briefs you on what is known of the crime so far and you begin to create your own timeline for the investigation. (© The Open University)
The initial witness interview
Meet the investigating officers and evaluate the initial witness interview they conduct. (© The Open University)
Detecting a deception
Explore the psychological theories and research on detecting deception and test your own lie-detection skills. (© b-d-s/ iStock / Getty Images Plus)
New witness statements
The investigative team brief the SIO about new evidence revealed through additional witness statements. (© The Open University)
Week 2
Suspect interviews and establishing rapport
Introducing police suspect interviews
This week will look at some of the psychology behind police suspect interviews, and will consider how such interviews can be examples of difficult conversations. (© The Open University)
The importance of rapport
The importance of rapport and respectful communication as part of the interpersonal dynamics of interviewing will be considered. (© The Open University)
DI Bullet interviews Neale
You will observe the suspect interview of Neale Anderson, and apply your new knowledge regarding rapport to this particular interaction. (© The Open University)
Week 3
Confessions
How reliable are confessions in criminal investigations?
Return to the investigation and consider the impact that interviewing techniques might have on the suspect. (© The Open University)
Interrogation, suggestibility and false confessions
Look at the dangers of using interrogation techniques, including how they can lead to a suspect confessing to a crime they did not commit. (© Pichsakul Promrungsee/ 123 Royalty Free)
Evaluating DI Bullet’s suspect interview
Consider the interviewing techniques employed by DI Bullet and what psychological issues it may have led to. (© The Open University)
New evidence and new suspects
The team obtain new evidence, which leads them to consider new lines of enquiry and new suspects, but which should they prioritise? (© digicomphoto/ iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Week 4
Conclusion to the case
Dealing with the new suspect
Mick Brough has been arrested and is in the custody suite. You will think about the evidence that incriminates this suspect and plan for the interview. (© The Open University)
Interviewing the new suspect
You will prepare for and observe the interview of the new suspect, applying what you have learned about the principles of rapport. (© The Open University)
Assessment of the suspect interview and case closure
You will reflect on the interview and compare your reflections with other learners and the expert team. You will also see how the case resolves. (© The Open University)
Course wrap up
Course wrap up. (© Constantine_pappas/ iStock / Getty Images Plus)
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Synthesise and apply psychological knowledge regarding detecting deception
- Develop and assess an interview plan
- Apply a psychological model of rapport to suspect interviews
- Investigate false confessions
- Identify potential forms of cognitive bias in investigations
- Apply psychological research to a simulated case study
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone with an interest in policing careers, psychology, or the law.
It may also be beneficial for those interested in writing crime fiction.
Who will you learn with?
Zoë is a psychologist with an interest in how psychology relates to police investigations. She is a senior lecturer in the School of Psychology and Counselling at the Open University
Graham is a psychologist & Professor of Forensic Cognition at the OU, with an interest in applied cognition, particularly how psychological knowledge can be used to obtain evidence from eyewitnesses
Who developed the course?
Established
1969Location
Milton Keynes, UKWorld ranking
Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
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Choose the best way to learn for you! | $109/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 5 Mar 2025 |
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Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
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Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$109/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 5 Mar 2025
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. |
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
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