• The Open University

Investigating a Murder with Forensic Psychology

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

A close up of a type writer with the word 'Investigation' in type font in the middle of the paper.

Investigating a Murder with Forensic Psychology

9,195 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Open level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    4 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

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

    • The lead educators, Zoë Walkington and Graham Pike, standing in front of the evidence board of the simulated investigation.

      Welcome to the course

      Meet the academics who created the course and discover the fictional detectives who have inspired them. (© The Open University)

    • Sample timeline of the accounts of the suspect and witness as well as other evidence.

      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)

    • Female detective sitting talking to a witness in the case.

      The initial witness interview

      Meet the investigating officers and evaluate the initial witness interview they conduct. (© The Open University)

    • View of the back of a man with his hands behind his back and his fingers crossed.

      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)

    • Close up view of a person looking at a notebook on their knee.

      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

    • Looking down into an interview room, with DI Bullet on one side of the table and Neale Anderson on the other side. There is a recording device on the table.

      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)

    • Academic drawing on clear board. Image shows a circle with D at the top and S at the bottom. There is a line in the circle going from D to S and either side is an arrow - one pointing up and the other pointing down.

      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)

    • Detective (DI Bullet) looking at suspect (Neale Anderson) across a table during an interview.

      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

    • Close up of male suspect (Neale) in the interview room, showing him with fist to forehead.

      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)

    • Two sets of hands are visible each side of a table. There is a sign saying Police on the table. The hands of the person on the left are pointing aggressively at the person on the right, who is in handcuffs and is signing a document.

      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)

    • The academics (Graham and Zoe) looking at a laptop, and discussing the contents.

      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)

    • Magnifying glass on top of paper titled Evidence. Number markers and sunglasses are sitting on the table next to the Evidence paper, as well as a sealed small pot.

      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

    • Looking into the interview room from the top corner. The table is visible, with the legs of two people also visible to the left of the shot.

      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)

    • DS Sund interviewing one of the new suspects. She is standing to the left of the table and the suspect (white male) is standing to the left of the table with hands in his pockets. There is a notepad and a recording device on the table.

      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)

    • DS Sund standing in front of the evidence board with pictures of various people and crime scene images visible.

      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)

    • Black background with the words Case closed in red stamped on it, with a red boxed outline.

      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 Walkington

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 Pike

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?

The Open University

The Open University

As the UK’s largest university, The Open University (OU) supports thousands of students to achieve their goals and ambitions via supported distance learning, helping to fit learning around professional and personal life commitments.

  • Established

    1969
  • Location

    Milton Keynes, UK
  • World ranking

    Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

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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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