A new specialist Centre of Forensic Interviewing opened on 15 December at the University of Portsmouth which will train practitioners and students in investigative interview techniques.

The Centre uses Home Office-standard state-of-the-art digital equipment to record interviews that allows real time viewing and recorded play back anywhere in the university.

It means that students and those in the profession can take what they learn in the lecture theatre and on the job and practice it for real in one of the best facilities available in the UK.

It will be used by students of criminology, psychology and law as well as members of the police, counter-fraud practitioners, security services, lawyers, and the probation service. Students and professionals alike will have the opportunity to take part in mock interviews which will be recorded in order to learn from watching, being directly involved in and allowing minute scrutiny and analysis. It will also be available for the police to interview vulnerable witnesses and suspects in cases where specialist recording is required.

The new facility is being officially today by Professor Emeritus John Grieve and will be attended by representatives from the police forces of Avon and Somerset, British Transport Police, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Hampshire, Kent, Metropolitan, Surrey, and Sussex.

The Centre’s leader, Dr Becky Milne, a chartered forensic psychologist and lecturer at the University’s Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, is a leading figure in police interview training, working closely with the police and other criminal justice organisations in the UK and abroad. She specialises in cognitive interviewing, witness interview and interviewing of vulnerable groups. She said: “The police interview is at the heart of every criminal investigation and doing it well is a critical tool for all those involved in the criminal justice process. We’re ahead of the game in terms of the equipment and facilities which rival the best in the world and which we can offer to all types of investigator at different stages of their career, from learning the basics to advanced interview skills. “And it’s an exciting opportunity to conduct new research in the field which will in turn help to inform the training we provide to students and interview practitioners.”

The Centre will become a venue for specialist seminars and master classes in all aspects of forensics, the first one on statement credibility by renowned Professor Gunter Kohnken from the University of Kiel, Germany.

The videos were able to be made through a grant obtained from Foundation Direct within the University of Portsmouth.  The aims of the project were to disseminate the dual benefits of higher educational study for both career and personal development.

Crime and Criminology

Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies

We would welcome feedback  (sarah.charman@port.ac.uk) from any new students who watch the video before applying.

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Researchers at the Centre for Counter Fraud Studies, at the University of Portsmouth, and chartered accountants and business advisers MacIntyre Hudson LLP interviewed victims of frauds ranging from those who had been sold a fake holiday to those who lost a lifetime’s business and their entire pension pot.

While the types of fraud and amounts lost vary widely, the effects are almost uniform – victims feel embarrassed and angry and most say they will never again trust people.

Mark Button, Director of the Centre for Counter Fraud Studies and a Reader at University of Portsmouth, said: “Given the common assumption that fraud is a victimless crime and after publishing several reports illustrating the financial costs of it, we felt it was important to show the devastating impact upon ordinary people this crime can often have.”

Co-author Jim Gee, Director of Counter Fraud Services at MacIntyre Hudson LLP and Chair of the Centre for Counter Fraud Studies, said: “Fraud is a pernicious problem. Its costs are social, financial and personal. At a society-wide level it corrupts human interaction and undermines good behaviour; at an organisational level it undermines the financial health and stability of companies and public sector agencies which we rely on to enjoy a proper quality of life; and at a personal level it causes real damage to the health and wealth of those who are its victims. This report exposes that serious human cost.”

The Centre for Counter-Fraud Studies was commissioned to conduct research on fraud by the National Fraud Authority and the Association of Chief Police Officers. The researchers then decided to highlight the human cost of fraud – the so-called victimless crime – by collating the transcripts of interviews with victims.

Dr Button said: “One of the striking myths about fraud is it has less impact than some other crimes. This is wrong – fraud has a devastating impact on victims and their families.”

One victim, the owner of a small design business, said being targeted by a fraudster was like being stung by a mosquito then finding out you had malaria.

He is 59 years old and was within reach of retirement when a senior member of staff, hired to help him grow his business, defrauded his company and left him on the verge of bankruptcy.

He said: “The woman who defrauded my company is pure gold-plated evil. She knew how to take us for everything. She was so good she effectively made the fraud vanish from the books, not even the receiver could bring her to account. The police said there was nothing they could do. She was untouchable.

“What she did was dreadful but it’s even worse knowing she is still out there and she will be doing it to someone else now.

“For 14 months, I could not sleep for more than two hours at a time without waking up.

“My company was worth £650,000 when she started. Within just 14 weeks we were not even worth £35,000. It had all gone.

“The thing is, in business, if competitors or suppliers know you’ve been done over they circle like sharks, they smell blood in the water and they’ll exploit your weaknesses. They see an opportunity and they’ll withhold vital funds, for example.

“On a human scale, fraud smashes into your life and destroys it. My wife and I took 31 years building the reputation of our business and our name. In the end it was the only thing that saved us. One customer who knew us well took the risk of trusting us and gave us a single order. It was the only order we’d had for months and it saved us and allowed us to start rebuilding the company.

“Until you’ve been done over you don’t have a clue. I don’t trust anyone now.

“In business you sometimes take sensible, calculated risks. But the fact I didn’t spot her evil work is frightening. You lose faith in your own ability, it’s tragic. I used to always back my own people, I was a loyal employer and hoped they would repay that with loyalty. But this woman wanted to ruin me.

“I think what the Centre for Counter Fraud Studies is doing to highlight the real cost of fraud to individuals is really important if we are ever to change things in this country. Changing the tax system would be a start.

“Despite us being the victims of fraud, it is us who are disadvantaged. It is our name and reputation that is associated with failure in the marketplace, not the fraudster’s name; it is our future business revenue which has been lost; we cannot get a business overdraft, we cannot get credit cards. This one incident of fraud has pushed us into over 75 per cent mortgage on our home as we approach retirement age.”

The Human Cost of Fraud report was written by Dr Button, Jim Gee, Chris Lewis and Jacki Tapley.

MacIntyre Hudson LLP and the Centre for Counter Fraud Studies have previously published three reports on the financial cost of fraud:

• “The Financial Cost of Fraud” in November 2009
• “The Financial Cost of Healthcare Fraud” in January 2010
• “The Financial Cost of UK Public Sector Fraud” in April 2010

They are available from http://www.macintyrehudson.co.uk/services/counter-fraud/fraud-updates/fraud-publications.

The new specially tailored courses run by the University of Portsmouth will include units on strategies to reduce the risk of offending, understanding crime and criminal behaviour, risk management, substance abuse and managing dangerous offenders.

Training is delivered by lecturers from the University’s Institute of Criminal Justice Studies who have previously worked in the probation service. The courses are available to current probation staff and those interested in joining the probation service as graduates. It marks the first time that an in-service route to full professional qualification has been available for existing Probation Service Officer (PSO) grade staff.

Barrie Crook, Chief Probation Officer from Hampshire Probation Trust said: “Probation Service staff perform an important role in our community, helping to protect the public and working to rehabilitate offenders. I’m delighted that they are to have this new training opportunity. Distance learning courses are highly flexible and allow individuals to manage their own learning around their work commitments and home lives.”

Students will complete a structured e-learning programme comprising specially tailored electronic materials and interactive exercises, supported by online seminars, regional workshops, one-to-one support and on-the-job training.

Those with a relevant undergraduate degree will study for a Graduate Diploma in Community Justice over a 15-month period. Students with no prior relevant qualifications will study for an honours degree in Community Justice completed over 27 months. Both qualifications are designed to be undertaken while in full-time employment and will lead to a full professional qualification as a probation officer.

The University will train probation staff from five regions including the South East, the South West, the North East, Wales and London under a contract with the National Offender Management Service.

Director of the University’s Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, Steve Savage, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be offering a full honours degree to raise the bar on the level of training available to probation service staff.”

Are you looking to build your knowledge and under standing of crime and security? Seeking a career or promotion in a crime and justice related profession? Want to learn where and when you like?
Thanks to flexible distance learning you can do this and much more at The Institute of Criminal Justice Studies at the University of Portsmouth.

Origins
Since it was established in 1992, the Institute has developed rapidly into one of the country’s leading centres for research, course provision and consultancy in criminal justice and policing studies. With 50 academic staff and more than 1,800 students, the Institute is one of the largest departments of its kind and has become an internationally renowned focal point for the multidisciplinary study of crime and criminal justice processes. It draws together expertise in criminological analysis, risk, counter fraud, security, international and comparative criminal justice, forensic psychology, police governance and management.

Over the years, many hundreds of students have become graduates or postgraduates of the University and many of these are now in key positions. Our activities embody a commitment to quality and diversity, coupled with a strong value-base which prioritises human rights, good governance and professional standards.

Develop your own judgement
Criminal justice and security professionals operate in an increasingly complex national context. Much policy in this area is driven by government emphasis on the need for partnerships to reduce crime and disorder, and the foundation on which these partnerships rest is that of human rights.

The relationship between citizens and both the public and private sector is always important. For example, the UK’s Human Rights Act gave citizens the right to expect a minimum standard of service from the public sector and the private sector is the subject of increasing regulation. Linked with that is the importance attached to consultation and empowerment – a crucial strand in reducing crime and disorder and increasing security. The diverse national and international context, coupled with the trend in multi-agency approaches to criminal justice, creates a need for professionals who are able to understand and respond to these demands. Studying for a qualification will help you to gain a broader perspective of the landscape where you might be employed and an informed understanding of issues relating to policing, crime and justice in today’s society.

Our courses
We offer several undergraduate and postgraduate degrees via distance learning, enabling you to study at your own speed while you are working. If you believe you have already undertaken relevant studies, or had experience equivalent to university study, you may be entitled to credits for relevant prior learning. Of particular interest to those leaving the armed forces would be:

BSc (Hons) Risk and Security ManagementBSc (Hons) Crime and CriminologyOther courses which may be of interest to you are:
BSc (Hons) Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice StudiesMSc International Criminal JusticeMSc Counter Fraud and Counter Corruption StudiesMSc Criminology and Community Safety/Criminal Justice/Criminal PsychologyMSc Security ManagementBSc (Hons) Digital Forensics (full-time course)MSc Forensic Information TechnologyMSc Forensic Accounting

Ensuring that you have both the most rewarding and effective learning experience is our greatest concern. Our flexible programmes and fantastic support means that you can study from any location – not only in the UK but also from abroad – and at a pace which allows for fluctuations in your workload and personal life.

Studying at the Institute of Criminal Justice

Induction
We offer a comprehensive induction and re-induction programme at the beginning of the academic year where you are invited, if possible, to attend for two days. We have the opportunity to get to know each other and guide you through the course requirements.

High quality materials delivered to your door
Drawing upon our experience, you will receive well designed, tailor-made and high quality course materials to guide you through each unit of study.

Virtual learning
Our online learning centre will provide you with access to course materials, allow you to communicate with the tutors and other students and discuss and present your work.

Proactive and responsive support and advice
Support for students is essential to the success of our programmes and this is provided through a range of services delivered by ICJS and the wider University. This includes ‘live’ evening online seminars

Student conferences
Held annually at the University, student conferences enable you to attend lectures, seminars and workshops, as well as meet staff and other students on our courses. Lectures are given by staff, other eminent academics and researchers and key figures in criminal justice and security.

Access to our electronic library
You will also receive induction material at the beginning of the course that will guide you through registering and accessing the distance learning facilities offered by the University Library. These include access to online journals. It will also gain you access to services at libraries that may be closer to home.

Contact Us

For further details on courses or making an application
Telephone: + 44 (0)23 9284 3933
Fax: + 44 (0)23 9284 3939
Email: icjsonlinehelp@port.ac.uk
Web: Courses: http://www.port.ac.uk/departments/academic/icjs/courses/
News: http://www.port.ac.uk/update/category/humanities/criminology/

A new report on converged security threats is designed to act as a foundation stone to help businesses ensure their real and virtual assets are protected.

One of the key recommendations is businesses should appoint a single chief of security who can take responsibility for both physical and online assets, as well as the increasingly complex area of compliance security.

The report was co-authored by the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, Price Waterhouse Coopers, the National Federation of Fraud Forums, the Information Security Awareness Forum and the Institute of Information Security Professionals.

Azeem Aleem is Director of the Security Institute and Principal lecturer in internet security at the University of Portsmouth.

He said: “Most of the IS disasters exposed these days are result of vulnerabilities present at human level on the social and technical levels. To mitigate these threats, having a converged security approach to identify the risks is an essential element.

“To counter these threats we must keep ahead of those who attack us because the concept of security has now expanded way beyond the traditional remit into areas like brand and IP protection, corporate espionage, social-engineering, and cyber mules linked closely with organised crime.

“The report raises the concerns that while many security departments are so busy fighting day-to-day crises that they tend to miss less obvious threats, especially the overlap of security risk between real and virtual worlds.”

The report seeks to help IT professionals and management better understand the myriad security issues created by the increasing demands placed on physical and information security resources – and explain how to counter threats effectively, he said.

The report argues that those in charge of risk need to challenge the way they think and work in four key areas:

• Ensure wider understanding about all other areas of the company;
• Build in clear and repeatable processes, rather than ad hoc solutions to individual challenges;
• Share information, integrate processes and streamline reporting across the company;
• And have the humility to accept when other risk priorities come above one’s own function for funding or management attention.

The report also includes a survey of business owners on the impact the economic downturn has had on their company’s security. About 7,200 respondents, more than half, say risk has increased, regulations have become more complex and burdensome, and cost cutting has made it harder to achieve a good level of security.

Dr David King, chair of the ISAF, said the report will act as a foundation stone for IT and other professionals to build the innovative security defences needed in a ‘modern connected’ business world.

He said: “The major security problem that all IT managers are now encountering centres on the blended threats that cyber-criminality and hacker attacks now pose most businesses.”

The report also details structural vulnerabilities created by IT-enabled modern offices and their buildings such as access control, air-conditioning, CCTV and fire alarms, and looks at ways to better defend them.

Professor Paul Dorey, chairman of the Institute of Information Security Professionals, said: “Our opponents have no departmental barriers or concerns over responsibilities. Only by working closely with our security and risk colleagues will the protection of our businesses be equally joined-up.”

She is a member of the Academic Board and the Membership Team of the Security Institute and is also a published author with works including ‘The Sage dictionary of Policing’ (2009) and ‘Selling security’ (2003) which was shortlisted for the British Society of Criminology Book Prize.

In a recent interview with online magazine ‘Professional Security’ Alison spoke with enthusiasm about the Security industry:

“It’s amazing how the industry has evolved…I’m very excited about the possibilities for research looking at the strategic areas of the sector, each type of corporation has different security needs and buys different commercial security services. Those services evolve with the changing business environment and more global working: and security plays a big part in business’ strategic development, such as movement into overseas markets”.

The article also mentions how Alison hopes to encourage more people to enter the industry as graduates, rather than via the army or Police and also to improve the quality of careers information, internships, people in the industry helping starters and mentoring. She has started interviewing heads of corporate security and directors of commercial security companies to try and capture, first hand, how the industry is developing and also aims to highlight the scale of the industry’s contribution to crime control globally.

Alison’s tasks will involve teaching and assessment (both via distance learning and on campus), course management and research and external/practitioner links to raise the profile of the university.

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For a review of Alison’s publications:selected publications

MSc Security Management

Published in Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management in 2007, the author Philip Carlan finds that officers felt that the degree substantially improved their knowledge of criminal justice areas and their abilities with regard to conceptual and managerial skills.  Officers felt that their studies had played a key role in the furtherance of their knowledge of law and criminal justice.  Improvements were also felt in communication skills, critical thinking skills, administration skills and human relations skills.

A recent report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development recently highlighted the importance of higher education in these uncertain economic times.  “As we emerge from the global economic crisis, demand for university education will be higher than ever,” OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría said. “To the extent that institutions are able to respond, investments in human capital will contribute to recovery.”  They go on to say that graduates benefit from higher salaries, better health and less vulnerability to unemployment.

Studying part time and via the medium of distance learning, students can continue with their current job and can at the same time be safe in the knowledge that they are doing what they can to further their professional development.  With a long history of delivering distance learning degrees to the justice sector, theInstitute of Criminal Justice Studies ensures the support is there when it is needed.

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MSc International Criminal Justice (fully online)
MSc Policing, Policy and Leadership (fully online)

The Fraud and Corruption Hub provides a central resource of all the major publications on fraud and corruption.  This includes journal articles, restricted to those with library accounts as well as other publicly available resources but located in one place for ease of access.

The Hub is divided into distinct areas: fraud and corruption news, fraud and corruption publication banks and fraud and corruption subjects. To illustrate the use of the latter, consider the extract from the Hub above on official definitions of fraud. It contains direct links to publicly available resources such as the Fraud Act and CPS guidance as well as articles. There are many other subjects covered.

In addition to this the Hub also contains information on the organisations relevant to fraud corruption with a commentary as well as ‘Fraudipedia’. The latter will develop into the encyclopaedia for the counter fraud professional. There are only a few entries at present, but this will grow. You are also welcome to submit an entry to the Advisory Board (your name will be attributed). When large enough I also plan to seek a publisher for it, so consider the incentive for a publication too!  Also if there is any publication you think should be added or a link is broken anywhere in the Hub, let me know – it is our hub and its important its up-to-date and relevant. Over the next few months we will also be adding additional video and audio resources to the Hub.

So how do you secure entry to the Hub? Its simple you just need to go to the Centre for Counter Fraud Studies webpage and register http://www.port.ac.uk/ccfs . We will then send you a username and password and you just go to the Centre website, click on course provision and the hub is below that. Click on it and enter the username and password and you’re in. Be sure to register, because we will regularly change the password. Such has been the demand you may need to wait a few days for the password, so its important to register the sooner the better.  I would also welcome any feedback on the Hub you have.

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MSc Counter Fraud and Counter Corruption Studies

The CCFS is a specialist research centre based within ICJS at the University, founded to accommodate the growing interest in counter fraud that has occurred within the Institute over the last decade. It aims to provide a clear focus for research, knowledge transfer and educational provision to the counter fraud community.

Dr Mark Button, Reader in Criminology at ICJS and Director of the Centre said: “Counter fraud is a huge problem for the British economy resulting in losses of up to 72 million a year in both public and private sectors. The UK is not best placed to resist and tackle fraud and the CCFS will help to turn this around.”

Speakers at the conference included MPs Bruce George and Frank Field, Head of City of London Police’s Economic Crime Department, Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Head and senior advisor to the World Bank’s Chief Economist, Maureen Lewis.

The CCFS is supported by many of the most senior counter fraud specialists in the UK. Its role is to collate and organise the widest possible range of information, research, publications and data about the nature and extent of fraud and corruption and the solutions which have been and are being applied. This information will now be available to those working in counter fraud and corruption.

“The problem of fraud is underestimated, undervalued and under researched. There is much that can be done to tackle it and central to that is enhancing our knowledge of the problem and what works in reducing it. CCFS has been created to enhance this knowledge and contribute towards a reduction in the problem,” said Dr Button.

The Centre will also offer research services where better quality information is needed by counter fraud professionals, provide an independent assessment of the effectiveness of arrangements to counter fraud and corruption and support those working in the area, such as the Police and the Home Office, by providing the latest, best quality information.

Jim Gee, Chair of the Centre, and former Chief Executive of the NHS Counter Fraud Service said: “Fraud is a pernicious problem which undermines reputations and diverts resources from where they are most needed. The CCFS can help us all to know more about the problem – and thus be able to select the right solution.

“We are in the middle of a recession where fraud concerning sub-prime mortgages was a major cause – and in the throes of a political crisis where it is clear that the public expect higher standards of integrity. There can be no doubt that the CCFS is an idea whose time has come.”

Quicklinks:

MSc Counter Fraud and Counter Corruption Studies