B4831 - Techniques of Inquiries and Investigations

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of investigative techniques, equipping them with valuable tools to navigate the field of judicial investigations—both in the context of police investigative activities and defense investigations. By the end of the course, students will be able to identify the appropriate investigative actions to undertake following a criminal event and assess the most suitable investigative methods based on the specific operational needs and circumstances. To this end, the course includes not only traditional lectures but also the illustrative analysis of real judicial cases drawn from actual legal proceedings

Course contents

During the course, students will develop the necessary skills to operate in the field of private investigations or judicial police work, acquiring both the legal tools and the basic theoretical knowledge required to work as an investigative expert or consultant.

The program is divided into two distinct yet interconnected parts:

Part One:

Traditional Investigations:

• Investigations, crime, and criminal proceedings

• Investigative techniques and tools within the current italian legal framework

• The Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Judicial Police

• The defense attorney and defense investigations

• Private investigations

• The crime scene

• Technical and scientific investigations

Part Two:

Digital Investigations:

• Introduction to computer science applied to investigations

• The concept of data and information: the digital evidence

• networks

• Tools and techniques of computer-based investigations

• Digital forensics

Throughout the course, practical case simulations will be conducted in which students will be required to proactively participate in investigative activities.

Readings/Bibliography

1)Per la Parte Prima:

Cantone R., Contieri E., La polizia giudiziaria. Atti e attività, Laurus Robuffo, 2021 (limitatamente ai capitoli 1-4, 5.1-5.3, 8.1-8.3,9.1-9.3, 11.1-11.2, 13.1-13.5,14,15.1-15.4, 16.1-16.3, 17.1-17.4);

Per eventuali approfondimenti si consiglia:

Rizzi V., Giannini A.M. (a cura di), Investigare 5.0. Criminologia e criminalistica. Viaggio nel mondo delle indagini, Piccin-Nuova Libraria, 2023 (in particolare cap. 2,3)

2)Per la Parte seconda

M. Tonellotto, Computer forensics: l’acquisizione della prova informatica, Edizioni Accademiche Italiane, 2015;

in alternativa:

M.Tonellotto, Evidenza informatica, computer forensics e best practices in «RIVISTA DI CRIMINOLOGIA, VITTIMOLOGIA E SICUREZZA», 2014, VIII, pp. 68 - 103

3) Materiale didattico fornito dal docente in aula (e disponibile su "virtuale.unibo.it")

 

Teaching methods

An active teaching approach will be favored, with in-class discussion strongly encouraged.

Role-playing with simulated operational scenarios, where the active participation of students will be essential.

Attendance (certified by at least 70% presence) is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. Such attendance is required in order to follow the exam program reserved for “attending students.”

Assessment methods

The exam for non-attending students will consist of a written test with multiple-choice questions, to be taken in person at the "Labic" using the "EOL" platform. The test will cover the entire program, based on the texts listed in the bibliography and the teaching materials provided by the professor and available on virtuale.unibo.it.

Attending students may take a test at the end of the teaching cycle, using the "EOL" platform at the "Labic", in place of the final exam.

The test for attending students will assess the knowledge acquired during classroom lessons, following the same format as the test for non-attending students, but will focus only on the topics covered during the course.

Both the attending and non-attending student tests will take place in person (at the Labic or another designated classroom) using the "EOL" platform. The test will consist of 31 multiple-choice questions, and each student will have 45 minutes to complete it.

Teaching tools

Slides, scientific and news articles, online resources

Office hours

See the website of Maurizio Tonellotto