Curriculum Information

This module initiates an in-depth exploration into the multifaceted concept of homicide, delving into its social, legal, investigative and psychological perspectives. Students will start by deconstructing the term \\\"homicide,\\\" unravelling its social and legal implications, and scrutinising the British criminal law pertaining to homicide. The scope extends beyond legal definitions to encompass cases that remain unidentified or fall outside established legal frameworks.

Module Content:

·         Deconstructing the term \\\"homicide\\\" to comprehend its social and legal connotations.

·         Evaluation of the British criminal law related to homicide.

·         Examination of instances that do not meet legal definitions or go unrecognised as homicides.

·         Exploration of patterns and trends in homicide at both national and international levels.

·         Analysis of offender, victim, and offence characteristics specific to the United Kingdom. 
Critical review of contributions from biology, psychology, and sociology to our understanding of homicide and violence.

·         Exploration of various explanations for different forms of homicide.

·         In-depth examination of specific forms of homicide, including: \\\"Masculine\\\" killings (e.g., confrontational, revenge, and robbery homicides).

·         Femicide.

·         Killings of children.

·         Corporate homicide

·         Utilisation of case study material and research literature for comprehensive analysis.

·         Exploration of homicide investigation processes and techniques in the UK.

·         Critical analysis of investigative processes, with a focus on creative evidence assembly and case narratives.

·         Examination of challenges leading to investigative failures or the construction of incorrect suspects.

·         Introduction to crime prevention approaches (primary, secondary, and tertiary).

·         Evaluation of the applicability of prevention strategies to different forms of homicide.

·         Discussion of challenges in identifying individuals at risk of involvement in homicide (as offenders or victims) through risk factor analysis.

By the end of this module, students will have gained a comprehensive understanding of homicide, from its definitions and patterns to its explanations, distinct forms, investigative processes, and prevention strategies