Criminological studies

The Forensic Studies study program is focused on education in the field of criminology, criminal law and related security and legal disciplines. As a professionally oriented program, its main mission is to provide sufficient qualifications for the performance of service in the security forces of the state and similar security-oriented professions. This qualification consists in the acquisition of a comprehensive background of the necessary theoretical knowledge and the acquisition of practical skills in the investigation of crimes and other criminologically relevant events. The focus of the study program is on training in the theory and practice of forensic techniques and tactics, including methods of investigating various categories of criminal activity, in acquiring the necessary knowledge of relevant legal areas (substantive criminal law, criminal procedural law, constitutional law, administrative law in the security area, procedures according to Act on the Police of the Czech Republic, etc.). However, the study program does not only emphasize one's own expertise and the acquisition of knowledge, skills and abilities needed for effective participation in the investigation, but also internalizing the principles of ethical work in the investigation and respect for the protection of basic human rights and freedoms of suspects, victims and other persons interested in during the investigation.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• - understanding the functioning of the security apparatus and the criminal justice system of the Czech Republic, the competences, processes, activities and mutual relations of their individual components,
• - acquire knowledge in the field of criminal law, constitutional law and administrative law necessary to conduct investigations in the capacity of a police authority
• - acquire knowledge of the basics of the scientific field of criminology, master its structure, terminology, methods, acquire the natural science foundations of individual criminological methods, understand interdisciplinary connections, especially w
• - to acquire knowledge of basic criminological technical methods and their applicability in the investigation of crimes and other criminologically relevant events
• 308 / 5 000 Výsledky překladu Výsledek překladu - to acquire knowledge of basic forensic tactical procedures, including investigation methodologies in the main areas of criminal activity
• - the ability to perform basic criminalistic and technical operations, in particular examining the scene of the crime, identifying traces, properly removing them, documenting them and securing them for further evaluation
• - the ability to perform basic criminological tactical actions, in particular the creation of investigative versions, the determination and execution of an investigation plan, the questioning of suspects and witnesses, etc.
• - the ability to perform the basic actions of criminal proceedings from the position of a police authority, including communication with the supervising public prosecutor and other subjects of criminal proceedings

A graduate of the Forensic Studies study program should find employment in particular as a member of the Police of the Czech Republic participating in the performance of the tasks of the Criminal Police and Investigation Service. The program is designed to provide sufficient professional training especially for future police officers directly performing the tasks of a police authority in criminal proceedings (i.e. processors of individual criminal cases), but it respects the fact that the spectrum of positions within the police that participate in investigations is essentially wider, and thanks to the emphasis placed on forensic techniques, it is also suitable for future forensic technicians and members of field teams. Graduates can also find employment in other security forces, especially in those that also perform the tasks of a police authority in criminal preliminary proceedings (especially the General Inspection of Security Forces) or at least in its stage before the initiation of criminal prosecution (Customs Administration of the Czech Republic, Prison Service of the Czech Republic , Security Information Service, Office for Foreign Relations and Information), in the ranks of the Military Police or as internal investigators for the needs of private entities (security agencies, security departments or internal inspection departments of business corporations, etc.).

The compulsory internship for students of the professional study programme Criminalistics Studies will include activities at a police authority in individual departments, with a focus on practical criminalistics. The aim of the internship is to apply the theoretical knowledge of students in the real environment of the Police of the Czech Republic, to acquaint them with the daily activities of police departments and to gain practical experience complementing the theoretical teaching. The students will participate in practical activities of the police authority within individual departments, or they will participate in individual acts performed by the police authority within individual departments.

The internship will take place mainly at the Regional Police Directorates of the South Moravian and Moravian-Silesian Regions, where students will apply their theoretical knowledge in practice, at contractual partners who are engaged in activities corresponding to the focus of the Criminal Studies programme. The scope of the internship is determined by three courses (Professional Practice I-III) corresponding to 18 ECTS credits, which represents a total of 480 hours of internship.

During the internship, students will focus on criminalistic activities, including presence in the detection, clarification and investigation of crime, and will participate in professional, administrative and technical tasks under the guidance of experienced professionals.

The practice is carefully coordinated with the regional directorates, including their content requirements. As the Criminal Studies programme is a combined programme, it also includes police officers whose internships are carried out within the scope of their service. Other learners must sign a confidentiality agreement prior to commencing their internship, which allows access to sensitive information.

The internship is not organized into traditional lectures, seminars, or practicums, but the 480 hours corresponds to 12 weeks of practical work, or approximately 27 hours per credit.

The State Final Examination (hereinafter referred to as "SZZk") in the study programme Criminal Studies in accordance with the above-mentioned characteristics of the programme and the expected characteristics of a graduate will verify whether the students have acquired the necessary theoretical knowledge (oral part of the SZZk) and whether they can apply it in practice, i.e. whether they have acquired the skills necessary for the future performance of the profession (the so-called diploma task).

There are two components to the SZZk. First, an oral theoretical part. The second, the analytical-application practical part (AAP). The AAP represents the realisation of the option given by the provision of Section 45(3) of the law on higher education not to have a bachelor's thesis. The latter would not be able to verify, whether the graduates have sufficiently acquired the professional skills defining this programme.

The AAP is undertaken in two phases. The first phase will take place as a relatively separate component of the SZZk prior to its oral component. It is described below. The second phase consists of an oral feedback and evaluation debate as part of the oral part of the SZZk.

The AAP will be prepared independently by the learners without guidance from the supervisor. An opponent will be appointed to prepare an evaluation report for each AAP. The evaluation will assess the student's practical progress in the preparation of the AAP and the documents produced by the student within the AAP. The evaluation report will be the basis for the debate in the second phase.

The assessment will be carried out in public. The public will be able to participate in both phases: the analytical-application practical part as well as the feedback and evaluation debate. Documents prepared by the student during the first phase will not be made public. They are only a partial part of the AAP and do not form the basis for the preparation of the assessment and the subsequent debate. It is not a comprehensive, long-term and systematically prepared document similar to the bachelor thesis, but rather a working document corresponding to the preparation for the oral part of the SZZk, which is also not published.

The AAP will verify that the learners have acquired the skills corresponding to the professional competences that graduates must possess and that will be required for service in the state security forces and similar security-oriented professions.

The AAP takes the form of mastery of a practical task in the field of criminology-tactics and related or criminology-technical. The AAP consists in simulating an act encountered in practice by members of the Police of the Czech Republic in the Criminal Police and Investigation Service (e.g. seizing an evidence carrier, searching a place, interrogating a person, performing a simple chemical or biological test), etc.

After receiving the assignment, the candidate will explain the procedure he/she has chosen and, if necessary, make the necessary preparations before the actual performance, perform the action and finally document it in the way it is done in practice (official record, protocol). All three parts are assessed: understanding and preparation for the task, the actual performance and the documentation. The AAP is performed individually and sequentially by the learners, and those who have not yet completed it are not present when the task is performed by other learners.

No master's degree program is directly linked to the Bachelor's program of Criminal Studies. Its introduction is being considered prospectively.