Being a Detective

What does the activity involve?

This activity provides students with a valuable opportunity to gain critical, real-world investigative skills that are essential for careers in law enforcement, criminology, and beyond. Led by ex-Met Police Detective Inspector Ash Hornsby, the activity focuses on practical application, allowing students to step into the role of a detective and tackle real criminal cases. You will develop problem-solving and analytical skills as you work through increasingly complex scenarios, learning how to identify key evidence, make informed decisions, and uncover hidden details.

Here’s an exciting opportunity for Criminal Justice and Criminology students to get a real and practical insight into criminal investigation. You will get the chance to learn not only about the structure and individual components of an investigation but also how to meet and overcome some of the challenges that come with it.

Delivered in four parts, you will get the opportunity to try your hand. Following an initial presentation on Investigation, you will use both the knowledge gained and your own life skills/experience to try and solve 3 very different cases. Working in small teams, you will be confronted with different scenarios, each of which present different and increasingly complex challenges. With others, you will be required to look beyond the obvious, problem solve, make decisions and submit your findings orally or in written format, or both.

This is no place for textbooks! Rather, it’s about getting out of your comfort zone and the practical application of policing skills. It’s about thought, using your initiative and working together to establish what has happened, how and why, and who might be responsible.

What skills will it give me?

Teamwork and communication are integral to the experience, as you collaborate with peers to solve cases and present your findings both orally and in writing. This process will help you enhance your ability to think critically, work effectively under pressure, and articulate your conclusions clearly. By stepping out of your comfort zone, you will build confidence in applying investigative techniques in real-life situations. If you are looking to sharpen your critical thinking, improve your decision-making, and gain practical experience in criminal investigation, this activity offers a hands-on approach that will leave you better prepared for the challenges of a career in the field.