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Latest changes – investigation

Date Category Guidance Changes
Investigation Investigation process

Extensive changes to entire section following June 2023 consultation.

Investigation Managing effective investigations

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

Investigation > Investigative strategies Passive data generators

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

Investigation > Investigative strategies > Financial investigation Using financial information

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

Investigation Managing effective investigations

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

Investigation > Investigative strategies Scene strategy

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

Investigation Investigation introduction

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

Investigation Investigation process

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)
Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

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

Investigation > Investigative strategies Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR)

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

Investigation Investigation process

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

Investigation Investigation introduction

Added link to Professionalising Investigations Programme (PIP) policy.

Investigation Wildlife crime

National Wildlife Crime Unit Strategic Assessment updated to 2022 version.

Investigation Working with suspects

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.

Investigation Managing effective investigations

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

Investigation > Investigative strategies Scene strategy

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

Investigation > Investigative interviewing Investigative interviewing

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

Investigation Working with suspects

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

Investigation Managing effective investigations

Reintroduction of resources list.

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

In Family liaison, added link to College of Policing (2021) Charter for families bereaved through public tragedy.

Investigation > International International investigation reference material and forms

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

Investigation Acid and corrosive substances

Broken link to NHS infographic fixed

Investigation Acid and corrosive substances

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

Investigation Forensics

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'.

Investigation Investigating fraud

Change MLE to college learn.

Investigation Forensics

Updated link to ENFSI Crime Scene Best Practice Manual.

Investigation Managing effective investigations

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

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

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

Investigation Investigation process

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

Investigation Investigation process

Amend text from ‘unexplained’ to ‘unexpected’ within the initial investigation text box.

Investigation Investigation introduction

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

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

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

Investigation > Investigative interviewing Investigative interviewing

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

Investigation Forensics

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

Investigation Managing effective investigations

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.

Investigation Investigating fraud

MLE to College Learn.

Investigation > International International

Section on extradition updated.

Investigation Working with suspects

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

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

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

Investigation > Investigative strategies Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR)

Link to the Murder Manual removed.

Investigation > Investigative strategies > Financial investigation > Asset recovery Cash seizure

Amendment to Cash seizure timescales from 3 to 6 months.

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

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

Investigation Acid and corrosive substances

Updated general advice for investigators and CSI

Investigation Investigation introduction

Revision to include reference to Foreign National Suspect

Investigation Forensics

Updates relating to forensic capability network

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

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

Investigation Acid and corrosive substances

Link to victim care advice added.

Investigation Acid and corrosive substances

Updated Forensic Investigation Guidance for Acid and corrosive substance attacks.

Investigation Managing effective investigations

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

Investigation Managing effective investigations

Broken link to CPIA Code of Practice replaced.

Investigation > International International investigation useful contacts

Updated contacts and wording published.

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

Update section on Family liaison.

Investigation > Investigative interviewing Investigative interviewing

Links added to provide information on the use of interpreters.

Investigation > Investigative interviewing Investigative interviewing

Obsolete wording removed in pre-interview briefings.

Investigation > International International

IE NCCU details amended.

Investigation Forensics

DNA good practice guide replaced with updated version.

Investigation Policing business crime

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

Investigation > International International

Paragraph added after 2nd paragraph.

Investigation Investigation introduction

Introduction replaced.

Investigation > Investigative strategies Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR)

Replaced page with updated content.

Investigation Policing business crime

Module was reviewed and updated.

Investigation > Investigative strategies Passive data generators

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

Investigation Investigation introduction

Replace introductory text.

Investigation > Investigative strategies Search powers, and obtaining and executing search warrants

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

Investigation Investigation introduction

Change POLKA to Knowledge Hub.

Investigation Investigation introduction

Section entitled National Structure replaced with new PIP programme content.

Investigation > Investigative strategies Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR)

Removal of ANPR content - currently under review.

Investigation Acid and corrosive substances

NHS infographic added.

Investigation Crime in prisons

Restricted link to HMPPS document.

Investigation Working with suspects

Text added in relation to released under investigation.

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

Text added in relation to released under investigation.

Investigation > Investigative strategies Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR)

Updated ANPR content.

Investigation Crime in prisons

Link added to new HMPPS MoU.

Investigation Investigation process

Updated with new guidance documents for sudden and unexpected death.

Investigation > International International

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

Investigation Offences against the person

New wording to clarify wording around Pre interview briefings.

Investigation > Investigative interviewing Investigative interviewing

Removal of reference material.

Investigation > International International

Link to SISII alerts added.

Investigation > International International investigation useful contacts

International Crime Coordination Centre added to the contacts list.

Investigation Offences against the person

Replacement document for Guidance on criminal transmission of HIV.

Investigation > International International

Replaced with new International investigation APP.

Investigation Acid and corrosive substances

New sub page - Acid and corrosive substances.

Investigation Crime in prisons

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

Investigation > Investigative interviewing Investigative interviewing

Updated wording to Voluntary attendance.

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

Updated link for MoJ guidance on Victim Personal Statement.

Investigation Investigating fraud

Removal of obsolete HO Circular 47/2004.

Investigation > Investigative strategies > Financial investigation > Asset recovery Confiscation and recovery

Updated content to Confiscation order non compliance.

Investigation Managing effective investigations

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

Investigation Offences against the person

New page published of Offences against the Person.

Investigation Forensics

Link to DNA crime scene - anti contamination guidance.

Investigation Investigation introduction

New link to Code of Practice for CPIA.

Investigation Forensics

New content to set context of forensics.

Investigation Investigation introduction

Updated link for PIP Learning Programme.

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

Deletion of wording under special measures.

Investigation Wildlife crime

Link added to badger aide memoire.

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

Link added to CPS website covering Post Acquittal meetings.

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

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

Investigation > Investigative interviewing Investigative interviewing

Update to difference between cautions and special warnings.

Investigation Wildlife crime

New content - Wildlife crime.

Investigation > Investigative interviewing Investigative interviewing

Addition of link to new PACE Code E.

Investigation Policing drugs

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

Investigation > Investigative interviewing Reference material – National policing position papers

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

Investigation > Investigative interviewing Investigative interviewing

Updating links to revised PACE Code E.

Investigation Policing business crime

(Policing business crime) Text added under Recording requirements.

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

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

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

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

Investigation > Investigative interviewing Reference material – National policing position papers

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

Investigation Crime in prisons

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

Investigation Crime in prisons

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

Investigation Crime in prisons

Addition of page on Crime in prisons.

Investigation Policing business crime

Addition of links in Learning resources and Further information sections.

Investigation Working with suspects

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

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

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

Investigation Investigating fraud

Addition of interim guidance on investigating fraud.

Investigation Policing business crime

Addition of a page for business crime.

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

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

Investigation > Investigative interviewing Investigative interviewing

Addition of page linking to national policing position papers.

Investigation Investigation introduction

Addition of link to Code of Ethics.

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

Addition of text regarding Witness Intermediary Scheme.

Investigation > Investigative interviewing Investigative interviewing

Amendment of information on compensation.

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

Amendment of information on compensation.

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

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

Investigation > Investigative strategies Passive data generators

Link to Body Worn Video guidance updated.

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

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

Investigation Policing drugs

Addition of page: Investigation > Policing drugs.

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

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

Investigation Managing effective investigations

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

Investigation > Investigative strategies Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR)

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

Investigation Working with victims and witnesses

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).

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