Investigative skills are crucial for journalists, researchers and detectives, but they’re also highly beneficial across various professions, including business, law, healthcare, and technology. So, whether you’re starting a career in investigation or applying investigative skills in your current role, this course is ideal for you.
Introduction to Investigative Techniques is an online professional development course that provides the tools and insights necessary to investigate people, places, and events to determine accurate factual information for criminal investigation, investigative journalism, academic research, and legal, financial, or other contexts.
In this investigative skills course, you will explore the foundational skills, advanced techniques, and ethical considerations necessary to thrive in various investigative roles across the public and private sectors and in media and online environments.
On completion of this course, you will have gained the theoretical knowledge and skills to use investigative techniques in a multitude of contexts.
*Please note licensing is required to become a private investigator.
Course Structure
Unit - Investigative Techniques
Unit 1 – Scope And Nature of Investigative Techniques
- Investigative techniques
- What is investigation?
- Why are investigations carried out?
- Who uses investigative skills?
- Important skills and traits
- Personality traits
- How to be a good active listener
- Observational skills
- Techniques to improve observation skills
- Problem-solving
- Research skills
- Good interview skills
- Critical thinking
- Emotional intelligence and social intelligence
- Empathy, courage and self-belief
- Collecting evidence
- Investigative bodies
- Professions
- Investigative bodies are associated with investigating
Unit 2 – Records Searching
- Record searching skills
- Documents
- Types of records
- Transitory/convenience records
- Why investigators carry out record searches
- Conducting record searches
- Offline searches
- Online searches
- Types of documents
- Primary documents
- Social Security numbers (SSN)
- Tax file number (TFN
- Secondary Documents
Unit 3 – Surveillance
- Surveillance
- What is surveillance?
- Why do people carry out surveillance?
- Ethics of surveillance
- Bias in surveillance
- Types of surveillance
- Methods of surveillance
- Physical surveillance features
- Physical surveillance tips
- Technical & electronic surveillance features
- Prudence in surveillance
- Preplanning
- Legal considerations
- Casing
- Knowing the subject
Unit 4 – Interviewing
- Interview skills
- Interview vs interrogation
- Why do we use interviews?
- Open and closed questions
- Types of interviews
- Advantages of interviews
- Quantitative vs qualitative data
- Limitations of interviews
- Planning an interview
- Background information
- Number of interviewers
- Gender
- Time of day
- Venue
- Keeping records
- Designing an interview
- Step 1: goal setting
- Example: journalistic investigations
- Example: criminal investigations
- Example: academic investigations
- Step 2: choosing questions
- Step 3: Uncovering lies, fabrications, misleading responses
- Step 4: gathering data from interviews
- Ethical practice in interviewing
Unit 5 – Surveys
- What are surveys?
- Ethical issues
- Survey formats
- The survey interview
- Face-to-face survey interviews
- Telephone interviews
- Focus groups
- Survey panels
- Survey design – fit for purpose
- The survey questions
- Target audience
- Sampling
- Administration
- Analysis
- Surveys as an investigative tool
- Validity
- How they are used
- Limitations of surveys
Unit 6 – Analysis of Evidence
- What is evidence?
- Types of evidence
- Analysing evidence
- Physical evidence
- Blood analysis
- DNA evidence
- Impression evidence
- Fingerprint collection and analysis
- Cyber or digital evidence
- Behavioural evidence
- CCTV evidence
Unit 7 – Applications – Public Sector
- What is the public sector?
- Public sector investigations
- Fraud
- Benefit fraud
- Procurement or tender fraud
- Conflicts of interest
- Investigating public sector industries
- Transport
- Public health
- People involved in investigating the public sector
- Whistleblowers
- Moles
- Forensic accountants
- Ombudsmen
- Anti-corruption watchdogs
Unit 8 – Applications – Private Sector
- The private sector
- Private sector investigations
- Some types of private sector investigations
- Discrimination
- False qualifications
- Overseas money trails
- Embezzlement
- Fraud
Unit 9 – Applications – Media And Online
- Media and online investigations
- Assessing vulnerabilities
- Security posture
- Performing a vulnerability assessment (5 steps below)
- Threats and risk assessment
- Some types of online threats
- Hacking
- Scams and scammers
- Threats from inside
- Insider trading
- The dark web
- Trolling
- Cyberbullying
- Online investigation techniques
- Ways to deal with online and media crimes
- Cybersecurity
- Events monitoring
- Centralized vs distributed data collection
- Being organised
- Cyber forensics
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:-
- Journalist
- Criminal investigator
- Private investigator
- Academic researcher
- Lawyer
- Business director
- Forensic accountant
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