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University Advanced Diploma in Investigative Interviews with Vulnerable Victims and Witnesses

Learn how to effectively plan and conduct investigative interviews with vulnerable victims and witnesses. Reflect on experiences from your own workplace practice. Gain the skills needed to facilitate victims' access to justice.

Interview with a lecturer and two students

Key course information

LevelShort courses and CPD
Duration12 months
Fee£720
Course codeCID1513

Course summary

This short course in investigation will help you to consider the elements required for planning for investigative interviews, such as assessing the needs of witnesses as they relate to communication and behaviour, the analysis of information, and the formulation of a written interview plan using the relevant material. You'll explore the necessary factors to conduct an effective interview, including engaging and building rapport with vulnerable victims and witnesses and utilising appropriate interview techniques to help facilitate their access to justice.

You'll also examine post-interview procedures and ways of evaluating the interview in respect of the overall investigation, as well as your own performance. The course will allow you to explore the practicalities of the role and others with whom you'll need to engage during the interview process.

You're required to attend university for face-to-face teaching sessions for all three days at your chosen location. The remainder of your learning will consist of self-directed study and work-based learning, although you will have access to materials and your Programme Leaders throughout the duration of the course.

What you'll study

Topics included on this course are:

  • The roles and responsibilities of the specialist interviewer
  • Victim and witness assessment, including the impact of trauma and the role of registered intermediaries in the process
  • Planning interviews, including the role of others at an interview, interview structure, and managing and mitigating any limitations on a victim or witness's communication
  • Preparing witnesses for interviews
  • Supporting victims and witnesses during interviews
  • Interviewing techniques and questioning style
  • Evaluating investigative material.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning on this module will offer a combination of presentations, group work/discussions, practical exercises, formative assessment activities, and tutorials. Discussions will take place in both small and large groups to facilitate the ethos of teamwork and enhance communication and presentation skills.

Independent study (guided learning which isn't directly supervised) will consist of private study time, preparation of/for assessments, work-based learning, and problem-based learning. This will involve you identifying gaps in your own knowledge and skills and defining ways to bridge the gaps with new knowledge, understanding, and behaviour.

Entry requirements

Fees and finance support

The employer usually meets course costs – we advise you to speak to your workforce development lead before applying.

We also accept self-funded applicants and encourage anyone wishing to explore their options to contact cpd@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).

Apply now

Contact the Corporate and Professional Education team for further information about applying for this course by calling 0191 515 3361(opens in new tab) or emailing cpd@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).