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Online Investigation

The aim of this course is to provide a range of officers and investigators with the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain, evaluate and use online information in a lawful and forensically sound manner.

Level:
Further education
ECTS Credits:
15
Organisation:
Part-time
Study Format:
Web based
Start of studies:
Spring 2027
Application deadline:
September 15th

Application prosess

The application prosess have several steps. Please familiarize yourselv with the different stages of the process.

How to apply

About the programme

Your learning outcomes

The aim of this program is to ensure that the quality of online investigation is of a high level, guaranteeing legal protection and the right to privacy.
General competence

After completion of the module candidates will:

  •     perform professional and research tasks in digital policing
  •     see the role of digital policing in a broader perspective during an investigation

Knowledge

After completion of the module candidates will have knowledge about:

  •     various social media platforms
  •     the distinction between the deep and dark web and the challenges in their
  •     investigation
  •     cryptocurrencies and their use in criminality
  •     potential risks of online investigation
  •     relevant transnational legislation

Skills

After completion of the module candidates will be able to:

  •     construct an environment from which online investigations can be safely conducted
  •     acquire online resources in a forensically sound manner
  •     conduct covert investigations
  •     identify people from online personae
  •     conduct advanced web and multimedia searches
  •     communicate technical findings

Admission criteria

The primary target group is police staff in the Nordic countries whose main task is, or will be, handling and investigating digital evidence.

Employees in other International police services or governmental agencies who work, or will work, with digital evidence are also eligible to apply.

Applicants must be recommended by the employer.

Applicants are required to provide the following documentation:

  •     Higher Education Entrance Qualification
  •     Completion of the M1 Core Concepts in Digital Investigation & Forensics, 15 ECTS
  •     Current employment in a governmental agency

Applicants who do not have the higher education entrance qualification have to provide:

  •     A minimum of 5 years relevant work experience, of which maximum 2 years can be relevant education, replace the requirements for Higher Education Entrance Qualification.
  •     Meet the English proficiency requirements

This arrangement only applies to applicants over the age of 25.

Practical information

The education is organised as an online part-time programme and must be completed within 5 months. The scope of further education is estimated to be approx. 420 hours of study.

The mandatory reading shall not exceed 975 pages.

The teaching and learning activities also include mandatory live online lectures throughout the semester (totalling no more than 16 hours)

The student needs to pass a number of course requirements in order to sit the exam.

The module is concluded with a 6 hour take-home exam. Students will be graded on a scale from A – F. A – E are passing grades and F is a failing grade.

Schedule for tuition and exam

Spring 2025

Exam:

Location: Online, take-home exam over 6 hours.
Date: 15.05.2025 (09:00-15:00)

Compulsory education
Location: Online
Date: 10.01.2025 (Welcome meeting) and Mandatory lectures online to be confirmed (TBC)

If both are blank, then the course may not be running this semester.
If compulsory education is blank, then the course may not have it, see curriculum for information about this.

Tuition fee

A semester fee is required.

An external student is defined as a student from another Nordic country, or an agency outside the police service (including police special agencies). The tuition fee is not applicable to students coming from institutions which have a reciprocal agreement with NPUC, or an agreement involving contributions to the study programme. The student fee is NOK 25 000,-.

Programme structure and courses

Contact

Academic questions

Academic inquiries should be adressed to e-mail: cybercrime@phs.no.

Questions about admission

For questions regarding the application prosess, admission requirements and the admission prosess, contact: opptakevu@phs.no