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Crypto assets

This course aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to effectively handle cases involving cryptocurrencies. The curriculum delves into the challenges crypto assets pose to society, as well as the identification, collection, acquisition, and analysis of potential evidential artifacts during investigations.

Level:
Further education
ECTS Credits:
7.5
Organisation:
Part-time
Study Format:
Web based
Start of studies:
Spring 2025

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 computer forensic investigation is of a high level, guaranteeing legal protection and the right to privacy.
General competence

After completion of the module candidates will be able to:

  • 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 of:

  • the principles and functioning of cryptocurrencies, including their underlying technologies, such as blockchain and decentralized networks
  • the principles and methods of tracing crypto assets transaction flows in UTXO- and account-based blockchains
  • the legal and regulatory issues surrounding crypto assets, addressing compliance, anti-money laundering (AML), and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) efforts
  • the existing opportunities for seizing crypto assets from wallets and accounts of the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs)

Skills

After completion of the module candidates will be able to:

  • analyse transaction flows of crypto assets and interpret on-chain data artefacts
  • interpret the relevance of wallet seed phrases to private keys and addresses of multiple crypto assets
  • cluster crypto asset addresses belonging to the same entity and attribute these entities to persons or organisations
  • request Know-Your-Customer information from VASPs
  • prepare for and seize crypto assets from suspects’ devices, when possible
  • apply relevant legal frameworks and technical / scientific methodologies to all tasks involving crypto assets

Admission criteria

The primary target group is police staff in the Nordic countries whose main task is handling and investigating digital evidence. It is a prerequisite that participants are selected in accordance with local competency plans.

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.

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • have passed NCFI M2X module

Applicants who do not satisfy the requirement for a bachelor’s degree must document the following:

  • Passed and completed 2-year education at a higher level than upper secondary school, and in addition either:
  • Minimum 60 ECTS
    • (of which NCFI Core Concepts of 15 ECTS and any NCFI M2X of 15 ECTS each. The former NCFI Module 1 (5 ECTS) and former NCFI Module 2 (25 ECTS) are also accepted.), or
  • 1680 hours of continuing education courses, or
  • 5 years of practice

Employment, work experience and additional requirements:

  • Current employment in a government agency (e.g., law enforcement agency or other cooperating governmental agencies/organisations)

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. 210 hours of study.

The mandatory reading shall not exceed 450 pages.

The student needs to pass a number of course requirements in order to sit the exam. Students may have multiple attempts at these tests if necessary.

The module is concluded with an individual take-home exam over 4 hours. The exam must be passed in order to successfully complete the module.

Grading is on a scale of A – F (in which A – E are passing grades and F is a fail).

Schedule for tuition and exam

Exam:

Location: Online, take-home exam over 4 hours.
Date:

Compulsory education
Location: Online
Date:

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 15 000,-.

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