WJEC Applied Cert & Dip Level 3 Criminology Study & Revision Guide

AC1.2 ASSESS THE USEFULNESS OF INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AC1.2 ASSESS THE USEFULNESS OF INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Investigative techniques Complete the following four tables for each investigative technique. The cases and links to the assignment brief have been suggested, however these need to be explained in depth. Please remember these cases are simply suggestions and you may wish to use alternative case examples. These tables could be used to help you structure your information in the controlled assessment for AC1.2; however, remember that your work must be in detailed paragraphs, not written as a table. Activity 3.4 Investigative technique Intelligence databases storing forensic evidence (DNA or deoxyribonucleic evidence) Explanation of technique (very brief) Strengths of the technique (how it is useful in criminal investigations) Limitations of the technique (how it may not be useful in criminal investigations) Which criminal investigations is the technique most useful in and why? For example: situations such as crime scene, laboratory, police station or street. Or types of crime such as: violent, e-crime, property crime, etc. Case examples to support assessment Colin Pitchfork, Colette Aram, David Butler, etc. Link to assignment brief (only where relevant) Was the technique used effectively or not? Gareth Hughes: cross-contamination of evidence (trainers and scarf) placed in the same bag. See pages 152–160 of the textbook. Assess: to make a judgement about the quality or value of something. In other words, is the investigative technique useful when investigating crimes and, if so, in which types of criminal investigations? Key term Controlled assessment tip This AC is worth 20 marks, therefore a significant amount of time should be allocated to it during the Unit 3 controlled assessment. It is the AC that carries the most marks. 101