Financial Investigation Techniques - Following the Money

All applicants must be current employees of a law enforcement organisation (LE) working in an investigative role. LE includes any organisation that has responsibility for the enforcement of national or local legislation such as:

• Local, National, or Federal Police Forces
• Government law enforcement agencies
• Immigration & Border Control, Revenue & Customs
• Defence forces including military police
• International Police organisations (Europol, Interpol, etc)
• Regulatory Enforcement agencies etc
• Public prosecutors / Attorney General's office

Although it is preferred that applicants hold a primary degree in computer science or a relevant subject, this is not a compulsory requirement and applicants working in the field of digital forensic investigations in law enforcement for more than 2 years will be eligible for the course without a third level degree.

On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:

1. Explain basic principles of financial investigation.
2. Apply basic accounting techniques to money laundering investigations.
3. Be aware of, and familiar with, the main methods used by criminals to hide the proceeds of crime. 
4. Safely use the many OSINT methods that are available to investigate financial crimes.
5. Understand how criminals use the Darknet and hidden internet. 
6. Recognise and be capable of investigating money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
7. Understand and be able to counter the most common excuses offered by criminals for unexplained wealth.
8. Understand the financing of terrorism.

Module 1: Historic Cases & Some Recent Ones

Module 2: Money Systems

Module 3: DarkNet Guided Tour

Module 4: Money Laundering & Fraud Typologies

Module 5: OSINT for Financial Investigations

Module 6: Money Laundering - Techniques & Off-Shore

Module 7: Information Theory

Module 8: Cryptocurrency Crime and Investigation

Module 9: Fraud including VAT Carousel Fraud (MTIC)

Module 10: Financing Terrorism

Module 11: Undermining Stories & Net Worth Method

Benefits will vary based on student background and employment both current and prospective. 

• For law enforcement officers, having a qualification to professionalise their training has the additional advantage of adding credibility to their testimony as expert witnesses. 
• Career development possibilities may be enhanced. 
• Opportunity to combine industry knowledge and digital forensics tools in the combatting of financial crime.

This course is delivered online with an end of term, in-person exam. 

Lectures are pre-recorded and provided online via a virtual online learning environment. 

Exercises, reading, assignments and projects are conducted online and in our virtual labs. 

Students are required to come to Dublin or another UCD exam centre (Netherlands, North America and Hong Kong) to complete in-person examinations. 

The module is examined in May in one of our five exam centres internationally. Please note that an exam centre venue will be subject to availability and demand.

Student Effort Hours:

Autonomous Student Learning (98 Hours)

Lectures (24 Hours)

Practical Learning (48 Hours)

Online Learning (30 Hours)

Total Hours over 12 weeks : (200 Hours)

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

• Active/task-based learning; 
• Lectures; 
• Critical writing; 
• Reflective learning; 
• Lab work; 
• Problem-based learning; 
• Case-based learning.

All applicants must be current employees of a law enforcement organisation (LE) working in an investigative role. Applicants do not have to be a sworn officer. LE includes any organisation that has responsibility for the enforcement of national or local legislation such as:

• Local, National, or Federal Police Forces
• Government law enforcement agencies
• Immigration & Border Control, Revenue & Customs
• Defence forces including military police
• International Police organisations (Europol, Interpol, etc)
• Regulatory Enforcement agencies etc
• Public prosecutors / Attorney General's office

Although it is preferred that applicants hold a primary degree in computer science or a relevant subject, this is not a compulsory requirement and applicants working in the field of digital forensic investigations in law enforcement for more than 2 years will be eligible for the course without a third level degree. 

Each applicant will be assessed on a case by case basis. Students are also required to fulfil UCD’s English Language Requirements (see http://www.ucd.ie/international/study-at-ucd-global/ucdenglishlanguagerequirements/)

Assessment Strategy:

• Exam (In-person): (70%)
• Quizzes/Short Exercises: (10%)
• Assignment (Including Essay): (20%)

Feedback individually to students, post-assessment for in-term assessment and by request from student for exam, post final grade release.

This micro-credential is stackable with other micro-credentials, COMP41880 and COMP41870 for a 30 credits Graduate Certificate award in Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation (F007).

On successful completion of this micro-credential, you will receive credits as per the European Credit and Transfer System. These credits are recognised by the awarding institution as credits aligned to learning completed at postgraduate level.

If you have any questions about this micro-credential, or would like to speak to a UCD staff member, please contact (opens in a new window)microcredentials@ucd.ie.