Latest changes – investigation

Link updated to 'Victim Support: Left in the dark' in the Victim and witness support section.

In the 'Working with victims and witnesses' section, a link to The Crown Prosecution Service's Easy Read Victims' Guides has been added.

In the 'Investigation anonymity orders' section, a link to The Crown Prosecution Service's Witness Protection and Anonymity guidance has been added. 

At the bottom of the page, under the 'Further information' heading, the following sentence has been added: 'The Crown Prosecution Service have published guidance on working with witnesses which provides further information on support' with a link to the guidance page. 

NPCC Community Resolutions Guidance 2022 link fixed

Addition of NPCC Voluntary Interview Guidance link. Voluntary-interview-guidance-2024.pdf (college.police.uk) 

28/05/2024 - Updated link to 'Categories of unexpected death investigations' in 'first investigative steps' sub-section.

Changed wording to Investigation Process under Allocation:

Old wording:

Some crimes may be considered less serious in policing. For example, because the sentence on conviction is low or because there is no apparent physical impact but can still have a profound effect on the victim. These crimes may also indicate a higher risk of future harm and may be precursors to more serious offending. 

New wording:

Some crimes may have been considered less serious in policing. This may be, for example, because the sentence on conviction is low or there is no apparent physical impact on the victim. These crimes, however, can still have a profound effect on the victim because of the nature of the offending. For example, persistent behavioural aspects, may make them more serious than they initially appear. They may also indicate a higher risk of future harm and may be precursors to more serious offending. 

CCTV was contained within Passive data generators. This information has been updated to reflect legislative changes and presented in its own section (still subsumed under investigative strategies) to make it more easily accessible.

Removed the section on CCTV. Due to the introduction of the Forensic Science Regulator Code of Practice. The development and implementation of the Code is required under section 2 of The Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021. The Code came into force on 2 October 2023. With the Code already being in place there is an imperative to bring the APP in line with the current obligations on forces/practitioners. As such, this section has been updated and moved into its own sub-section beneath passive data generators so that it is easier to find and use for practitioners.

Two new subsections added to investigative process.

1. Adding a subsection called Allocation, after crime and incident recording, before initial engagement. The section is five paragraphs and a reference. It covers how a force can decide which person/team investigates a crime.

    

2. Adding a subsection after jurisdiction and ownership but before Golden Hour - called Linked series crimes. It is four paragraphs in length. It advises officers and staff not to neglect less serious offences when thinking about series crimes and advises on communication across forces, including investigative strategy development and assignment. 

Interview plan has amendment to one bullet; Multiple interviewers has changes to one word; Preparation has changes to one paragraph and deletion of a link; Plan and prepare the pre-interview briefing has changes to one sentence and deletion of a link; Pre-interview briefing strategy has changes to four sentences; Downstream monitoring changes link to Home Office outdated circular to PACE Code E which replaces it; Starting an interview has deletions to four points; Recording the interview has wording change to the first paragraph.

Broken link to 'victim care advice' updated.

Updated 'Remove, Remove, Remove Campaign resources' link – which previously directed to the Protect UK home page, now directs to the REMOVE. REMOVE. REMOVE: Guidance on hazardous substance exposure on Protect UK.

Updated link to Code of Ethics

Addition of links to Home Office guidance and circular 006/2023 in section on 'Nitrous oxide'.

Addition of new content on nitrous oxide.

In the section on Instigation, terminology amended from 'police staff receptionist' to 'front counter staff'.

'All Home Office police forces will attend every residential burglary' added 'of a home'

Now sits under new subsection, Investigation > Acquisitive crime.

Moved to sit beneath new subsection Investigation > Acquisitive crime.

Extensive changes to entire section following June 2023 consultation.

Extensive changes to entire section following June 2023 consultation, including updating section title from 'Managing investigations' to 'Managing effective investigations'.

Replaced link to 2005 MOPI Code of Practice with new link to the 2023 Police information and records management Code of Practice.

Changed 'Her Majesty' reference to 'His Majesty'.

Section – Managing people > 5th bullet point > changed UK Border Agency (UKBA) to UK Visas and Immigration.

Fixed broken link to Investigative strategies > Search powers, and obtaining and executing search warrants

Updated link to Professionalising Investigations Programme (PIP) policy (2023 version). 

Changes made to 'Jurisdiction and ownership' section are:

• link to Home Office Counting Rules updated
• link changed to Home Office Counting Rules for Recorded Crime (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Voice of the Child documents added to section on National support for law enforcement agencies

Links to NASPLE futureproofed – link to NASPLE document changed to take reader to National ANPR landing page

New reference document (College of Policing (2022) Delivering a death message) added to Investigation process.

Added link to Professionalising Investigations Programme (PIP) policy.

National Wildlife Crime Unit Strategic Assessment updated to 2022 version.

A sentence and link added for the APP on Police response to a concern for a child, Arrest strategy added in the Investigation > Working suspects > other considerations section.

'Managing scenes' moved into new section under Investigative strategies – Scene strategy.

'Managing scenes' now titled 'Scene strategy', and moved from 'Managing investigations' into new section under 'Investigative strategies'.

Edited section about the difference between a caution and a special warning.

Removed reference to ACPO (2006) Practitioner’s Guide to Intelligence-Led Mass DNA Screening from 'Mass screening enquiries > Considerations' section. 

Obsolete ICCC Enquiry form v 1.2 removed and link added to latest ICCC/NPCC Foreign national suspect checklist.

Reintroduction of resources list.

Reference to document added in Family liaison section – College of Policing (2021) Charter for Families Bereaved Through Public Tragedy.

Broken link to NHS infographic fixed

Added link to the Home Office (2022) statutory guidance: Offensive Weapons Act 2019, part 1.

Added a link to the NPCC Retention, Storage and Destruction of Materials and Records relating to Forensic Examination Guidance V1 under 'Other sources of information and guidance'. Also updated the broken link to the Forensic Capability Network under 'The principle of exchange'.

Change MLE to college learn.

Updated link to ENFSI Crime Scene Best Practice Manual.

New section added on Requests for third party access to a scene to attend a victim.

Changed 'Fast track interviews' to 'Initial accounts' and amendments made in text to reflect this change.

Initial investigation text box wording amended from 'unexplained' to 'unexpected'.

Review of all existing links to the 2011 ABE guidance and update the reference to the new 2022 guidance.

Review of all existing links to the 2011 ABE guidance and update the reference to the new 2022 guidance.

Review of all existing links to the 2011 ABE guidance and update the reference to the new 2022 guidance.

Reference to DNA good practice manual amended and principle of exchange link amended.

Deleted the link regarding the ACPO Crime Committee (1999) revised guidelines for the use of policy files and changed to new NPCC (2021) Major Crime Investigation Manual, section 16, policy file.

MLE to College Learn.

Section on extradition updated.

New link to MIRSAP page added to replace ACPO document.

Links to the Murder Manual replaced with links to the Major Crime manual (or removed if not relevant).

Links to the Murder Manual replaced with links to the Major Crime manual (or removed if not relevant).

Links to the Murder Manual replaced with links to the Major Crime manual (or removed if not relevant).

Link to the Murder Manual removed.

Added new section 'Jurisdiction and ownership'.

Amendment to Cash seizure timescales from 3 to 6 months.

Added new section – 'Witness reluctance to attend an interview or provide a statement'. Added new bullet point (deaths abroad) and link to the document in 'Further information' section

Revision to include reference to foreign national suspect.

Updated general advice for investigators and CSI

Updates relating to forensic capability network

Updates to reflect Code of Practice for Victims of Crime 2020.

Further information added with link to updated ICC checklist in 'Out of custody encounters not under arrest' section.

Link to victim care advice added.

Updated ICCC checklist.

Updated Forensic Investigation Guidance for Acid and corrosive substance attacks.

Investigation reference material content removed for maintenance. 

Broken link to CPIA Code of Practice replaced.

Updated contacts and wording published.

Additional amends to maintain currency following withdrawal from the European Union.

Revised APP in line with UK leaving the European Union.

Update section on Family liaison.

Links added to provide information on the use of interpreters.

Removed out of date reference to a set of briefing notes.

Obsolete wording removed in pre-interview briefings.

IE NCCU details amended.

All references to the IE NCCU phone number removed. 

DNA good practice guide replaced with updated version.

Amended links to Knowledge Hub as was previously going to POLKA.

Paragraph added after 2nd paragraph.

Introduction replaced.

Introduction replaced.

Replaced page with updated content.

Module was reviewed and updated.

Remove link to sample request for disclosure of personal data template pending update.

Replace introductory text.

Replace ‘Search’ module with new module entitled ‘Search powers, and obtaining and executing search warrants’.

Sentence added to section on production orders.

NCA Specialist Operations Centre amended to Major Crime Investigative Support throughout.

Change POLKA to Knowledge Hub.

Section entitled National Structure replaced with new PIP programme content.

Removal of ANPR content - currently under review.

Repair of broken link to ANPR section. 

NHS infographic added.

Restricted link to HMPPS document.

Text added in relation to released under investigation.

Text added in relation to released under investigation.

Updated ANPR content.

Link added to new HMPPS MoU.

Updated with new guidance documents for sudden and unexpected death.

New reference material and forms released, plus revised section on Joint investigation teams.

Addition of Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018.

New wording to clarify wording around Pre interview briefings.

Link to SISII alerts added.

International Crime Coordination Centre added to the contacts list.

Replacement document for Guidance on criminal transmission of HIV.

European investigations content replaced by International investigations.

New sub page - Acid and corrosive substances.

Link to MOU of interviewing suspects in connection with alleged assaults on Prison Officers (via POLKA).

Link to MOU added of interviewing suspects in connection with alleged assaults on prison officers.

Updated wording to Voluntary attendance.

Updated wording to Voluntary attendance (replaced existing wording for Necessity to arrest).

Updated link for MoJ guidance on Victim Personal Statement.

Removal of obsolete HO Circular 47/2004.

Updated links to PACE Codes.

Updated links to PACE Codes throughout.

Updated content to Confiscation order non compliance.

Cross contamination - wording updated and link to Government Guidance added..

Link to DNA crime scene - anti contamination guidance.

Revised wording to Key issues for money laundering investigations.

New link to Code of Practice for CPIA.

Updated link for PIP Learning Programme.

Deletion of wording under special measures.

Link added to badger aide memoire.

Link added to CPS website covering Post Acquittal meetings.

Link provided on NPCC position paper - Interviewing Child Witnesses in Major Crime Investigations.

Update to difference between cautions and special warnings.

Removed reference to hard drives and replace with digital video recorder.

Addition of link to new PACE Code E.

Addition of link to Briefing Paper on Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 and associated revisions to APP text.

Removal of link to Using body-worn video to record initial contact.

Updating links to revised PACE Code E.

(Policing business crime) Text added under Recording requirements.

Link added to College of Policing (2015) Deployment of family liaison officers in child sexual exploitation or abuse cases.

Update a link to 2015 Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

Update link to 2015 version (third edition) of “Advice on the Structure of Visually Recorded Witness Interviews”.

Addition of link to NPCC position paper on use of body-worn video.

Addition of a link to NOMS (2015) Commencement of Section 79: Offence of throwing articles into prisons.

Addition of link to NOMS (2015) Commencement of Legislation: Possession of Offensive Weapons in Prison.

Addition of links to APP on Search and minor amendments to text in light of publication of APP on Search.

Addition of links in Learning resources and Further information sections.

Addition of links to guidance document: Internet Social Media and Identification procedures.

Addition of links to guidance document: Internet Social Media and Identification procedures.

Addition of a page for business crime.

Addition of interim guidance on investigating fraud.

Changing a link to Lexicon Limited (2014) Toolkit 9.

Addition of page linking to national policing position papers.

Addition of link to Code of Ethics.

Addition of text regarding Witness Intermediary Scheme.

Amendment of information on compensation.

Amendment of information on compensation.

Updated references to second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) to reflect revised launch date.

Changing a link to Lexicon Limited (2014) Toolkit 9.

Addition of new Financial investigation content to Investigations, to replace old APP. 

Link to Body Worn Video guidance updated.

Addition of link to Toolkit 9 - Making the Most of Working with an Intermediary.

Addition of Schengen content to European investigations.

Information on ACPO Criminal Records Office (ACRO) expanded.

Update links to 2013 Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

Reference to guidance decommissioned as a result of publication of Child abuse APP amended.

Addition of links to ANPR documents to Investigation APP
Home Office (2013) National ANPR Standards for Policing, Part 1 – Data Standards
Home Office (2013) National ANPR Standards for Policing, Part 2 – ANPR Infrastructure Standards

Updated reference material available (second edition of title which was provided as the link at launch): ACPO (2013) Advice on the Structure of Visually Recorded Witness Interviews (Second Edition).

Changes to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) reflected throughout this APP.