How does jurisdiction affect the criminal investigation process?

SOCI1084 Case Studies Portfolio Assessment Guidelines 2021-22

For this assessment, you need to select three (N=3) forensic technologies and research a relevant case study of a criminal investigation that makes explicit use of them (a total of 3 case studies, one for each of the chosen technology).

Once you have chosen the relevant technologies and cases, you should write no more than 750 words per case (+ or – 10%), 2,250 max overall, detailing:

• Very Brief case description: What happened? relevant facts about the case, i.e. chronology of events as relevant to the forensic technology under scrutiny

• Historical and jurisdictional context: Where and when? i.e. where the case took place and any relevant legislation, cultural practices as related to historical, geographical and social context.

• Limitations and critique: any controversies about the case, particularly focusing on the forensic technology in question as well as the sources of information used. You will need to draw on academic literature in order to understand and expose limitations.

• Sources of information used: Who says? (bare minimum of four sources per case, including minimum of one academic journal article). The sources need to be referenced in a bibliographic fashion. You need to use in-text citations throughout your case analysis. You must reference in Harvard style.

You may wish to use the template below, which details the forensic technologies you can choose from. Remember, you only need to choose three out of eight.

You do not need to present your portfolio in the above format. You can write your work in a regular word document, or use a PowerPoint presentation, a PDF, or use any other software of your choice to put together your portfolios (Remember to check whether your files are compatible with Turnitin before submitting).

Examples of past students portfolios are available for you to peruse on Moodle.

The most important thing about your portfolio is that you follow the guidelines and outline structure. Each of your three case studies needs to include:

• a brief description of the case
• a discussion of context
• a discussion of limitations and critiques
• a bibliography/list of references

You are encouraged to use subheadings to mark each of these sections.

General notes on the assessment:

This assessment should be developed throughout the term, on a regular basis.

DO NOT LEAVE IT TILL THE LAST MINUTE. YOU WILL STRUGGLE IF YOU DO!

Each week, we will be looking at a different forensic technology in class, and you will be provided with basic knowledge about how this is deployed.

In seminars, we will be discussing forensic technologies in relation to case studies of criminal investigations. We will reflect on the historical context, jurisdictional practices (mostly drawing on UK or US cases), and scientific practices. Use the seminar discussions as inspiration and blueprint for your independent analysis in your portfolios.

In the portfolio, you will need to collect information and reflect on real cases that deploy the forensic technologies studied. You will thus showcase your understanding of relevant forensic techniques and related limitations.

Extended guidelines and further information:

Each case analysis has four parts:

Case description:

To demonstrate your knowledge of details of the case alongside knowledge of the forensic technique focused on, including specific and appropriate terminology as outlined in the core textbook and other relevant texts which you may find in the library.

Context:

Historical and geographical details are important to demonstrate understanding of the way the context shapes the case. But the cultural context is also important. For instance,

• How does jurisdiction affect the criminal investigation process?
• What types of limitations are imposed by historical context?
• Do race, gender, class and other social structural determinants have a bearing on the case?
• What about our cultural attitudes?

These are the sorts of questions you might be asking yourselves when trying to appraise each case in context.

Limitations and critique:

You will need to include a discussion of limitations of the forensic technology you analyse, alongside reflection on the manner in which this was used in the case. Were there any controversies? Was there any contamination or bias involved in the investigation, by the police or the scientists? Was data mishandled or misinterpreted? Did this affect the outcome of the case? What about the forensic technology used? What does the academic literature say about any possible problems or limitations of it?

Sources:

Use a minimum of four sources per case. Please note this is the bare minimum. The more the merrier. Sources can include news reports, specific forensic science sources (websites, textbooks, journals), advocacy and campaigning organisations (i.e. the innocence project), and reality crime shows. USING A SINGLE SOURCE WILL NOT BE SUFFICIENT AND WILL LIKELY CAUSE YOU TO FAIL THE ASSESSMENT. A list of relevant sources, journals and websites to peruse is provided in the course handbook.

A note on presentation, media and style:

You should think about the portfolio as a personal, live and developing document. The table above is a template. You may wish to follow this template, or you may instead compile your portfolio using software other than a word document. Hand-written portfolios may also be considered.

Other than written evidence, in the form of your own words based on interpretation of the sources you study, you may wish to include hyperlinks to relevant news coverage, which may include photographs, videos and other documents, to illustrate the case. This would be a good strategy to provide further details of the case without going over the word count, while at the same time learning to work with and communicate through different types of media sources.

Anticipated FAQ:

1. What is the word limit?
2. What sources should I include?
3. What is the minimum number of sources I should include?
4. Will I need to reference all sources? How do I do this?
5. How will I find information about relevant cases?
6. How will I know how to discuss limitations and critique a given case?

• 750 words per case (including description, context and critique but excluding references) x 3 forensic technologies = 2,250 words in total. Please note that the 10% rule always applies, so + or – 10% of the word count is acceptable.

• You should include references to all the sources you consult while learning about the case. This may include internet news articles, dedicated website links (i.e. innocence project, forensic files website etc.), academic articles from peer-reviewed journals, relevant books/textbooks chapters, and works of fiction (books, films, TV) if relevant.

• 4 sources per case minimum, including 1 academic journal article per case. Please note that this is the bare minimum. The more the better.

• All sources must be referenced in bibliographic fashion, so they should be listed in alphabetical order and specifically to each case. Please refer to the referencing guidelines on Moodle for instructions on how to reference different types of sources.

• You will need to carry out searches on the internet and in the library. You can start off by browsing through the list of resources provided in this handbook on page 14.

• This is where it gets interesting! We will discuss controversial cases in class, so you will be exposed to different types of controversies. Your understanding, ability and skill will be showcased through discussion of limitations and critique. This is your chance to get creative and apply notions you learnt from reading relevant literature to the analysis of your chosen case.

Critically examine the “for” and “against” theoretical views of the Dividend Irrelevance Theory, ensuring the response is supported by relevant academic research in this area.

Strategic Corporate Finance

Individual assignment

Weighting – 100% of the marks for this module

This is an individual assignment of 3,000 words. (+ or – 10%)

Students are required to submit their coursework through JIRA. Only assessments submitted   through   JIRA   will   be   marked.   Any   other   submission   including submission to your study centre in hard copy will be treated as a non-submission.

If your centre supports Turnitin©, a copy of your Turnitin© originality report must be submitted in conjunction with your assignment. It would be a major offence if the plagiarism amounts to more than 10% of the text.

Requirements:

Part A of the assessment is compulsory for all students with a marking allocation of

50% awarded within this element. Students will then select to attempt EITHER Part B or Part C of the assessment with this element of the work also being awarded a mark allocation of 50%.

The assignment has been designed to cover the following learning outcomes associated with successful completion of the module:

Knowledge

K1. Critical understanding of the key strategic decisions that a business may have to make and appreciated how accounting and finance can assist in making and evaluating those decisions.

K2. Critical understanding of specific analytical skills in key decision areas within strategy and finance at local and international level.

K3. Critical understanding of the limitations of the current state of financial theory in making strategic business decisions.

Skills

S1. Competence in applying the key valuation concepts and methodologies of financial decision making in order to contribute to the wider decision making of the organisation.

Part A (compulsory)

You have recently joined the investment team as a financial analyst at Asset Unlimited Consultancy Ltd, a financial advisory firm based within Hong Kong. As part of the initial duties you have been asked by the Board of Directors to investigate the three-year performance of a SINGLE company which could be a technology, property or financial company that is currently listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with the view to potentially investing future company funds into the chosen company.

Required:

Prepare a report for the Board of Directors of Asset Unlimited Consultancy Ltd analysing and evaluating the three-year share price performance of your chosen company.

In this section students should analyse 3-year share price performance of the company by:

1. linking significant news events to the share price increases and decreases;
2. looking at the company’s financial ratios and one other key area (e.g. dividend policy, M&As, capital structure alteration, corporate governance policy, financing strategy, investment strategy etc.), so can demonstrate both knowledge and understanding of a range of topics, theories, and concepts covered within the UGB363 Strategic Corporate Finance module. A report format should be utilized that offers clear, concise analysis, resulting in the production of robust recommendations. For ratio analysis, you should show the formula used but could extract the ratios from financial based websites. Marks will be awarded based upon your analysis and interpretation.

Total for Part A – 50 marks

Part B

(a) It was said that “an efficient market is “informationally efficient” if market prices at each moment incorporate all available information about future values and hence the market price is an unbiased estimate of the true value of the investment.”

Required:

Critically evaluate the above statement, ensuring the response is supported with relevant empirical evidence.

(35 marks)

(b) Your friend David has asked you for advice about his investment portfolio. He is considering investing in companies listed on the Growth Enterprise Market (GEM) in Hong Kong because he thinks he can get abnormal returns by investing in GEM.

Required:

Discuss whether the Growth Enterprise Market is considered to be an efficient market. Explain to David what characteristics are usually required to be present for a market to be described as efficient.

(15 marks)

In this section students should demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the theoretical aspects that underpin the differing strengths of market efficiency. The discussion / evaluation should be supported with relevant, contemporary, academic research that has been undertaken within this field and should be referenced accordingly. Real-life examples could be used for the discussion of Hong Kong stock market. Ensure the response does not become overly descriptive within its approach, rather, attempt to incorporate a critical viewpoint throughout, allowing logical conclusions to be offered.

Total for Part B – 50 marks

Part C

Kelly Ltd has just announced a dividend of $2 per ordinary share in 2021. The pattern of recent dividends, which are paid on 31 December is as follows:

(a) If shareholders require a 14 per cent return on their shares, what is a fair price for Kelly’s shares based on the dividend growth model?

(8 marks)

(b) Kelly now decides to increase its debt level, thereby increasing the financial risk associated with its equity shares. As a consequence, Kelly’s shareholders increase their required rate of return to 15 per cent. Calculate a new price for Kelly’s shares and comment on the problem with using the dividend growth model as a way of valuing shares based on this example.

(7 marks)

(c) Critically examine the “for” and “against” theoretical views of the Dividend Irrelevance Theory, ensuring the response is supported by relevant academic research in this area.

(35 marks)

Write a report in which you provide A comparative analysis of the overall performance of both portfolios, including reference to specific share price fluctuations that occurred following events that affected the entire Stock Market or events that affected individual companies.

Financial Management 3rd Assignment

Your asset management firm have been approach by a high net worth client who wishes to invest £200,000 in two portfolios of shares. You are a group of Portfolio Managers who have been asked by your senior financial executive to produce a report for this client regarding the performance of your client’s portfolios.

You need to set up 2 portfolios using Virtual Trader. Each portfolio will have an initial investment of £100,000 each.

Portfolio 1

You do not need to consider any particular theory for this portfolio. You can simply invest in companies in which you have an interest or companies that you believe will perform well on the London Stock Exchange over the next few months. It is suggested that you read the financial pages of the newspapers or relevant websites to help you with this task.

Portfolio 2

For this portfolio you need to use the Capital Asset Pricing Model which can be applied in a number of ways. The choice is yours.

The senior financial executive would like you to include the following in your report, which should be no more than 3,000 words in length:

• A critical analysis of the Capital Asset Pricing Model.
• A comparative analysis of the overall performance of both portfolios, including reference to specific share price fluctuations that occurred following events that affected the entire Stock Market or events that affected individual companies.
• Recommendations as to what you would do differently in the future in order to improve the performance of your portfolios.

Virtual Trader Rules

1. The website is virtualtrader.co.uk.
2. You will need to create one account per group. You will be directed to open an account once you click on ‘Create your portfolio Now’ on the front screen.
3. To create your portfolios select My Portfolios,(under the Portfolios Button at the top of the screen) and then click on the create Virtual Trader Portfolio and then enter a name and description for each portfolio.

You will be given £100,000 for each portfolio.

4. You can begin trading as soon as you like. You must NOT reset either portfolio before the end of the project. If you reset your portfolio during the project, marks will be deducted from your overall total.
5. On the website you will need to read:
6. Investing : The Basics
7. Strategies
8. Trader Tricks
9. Dictionary

create a ‘portfolio’ of evidence in relation to a Scheme of Work (SoW) that contributes to curriculum development in your subject.

Title: Curriculum Development Portfolio

You will create a ‘portfolio’ of evidence in relation to a Scheme of Work (SoW) that contributes to curriculum development in your subject.

• Stages 1-4 will be completed in Part One
• Stage five: write a reflective report (3000 words) including insights gained from feedback on your presentation and further practice/reading
• Stage six: Include your rationale, PowerPoint slides and peer review feedback (from part one) as appendices when submitting Part Two via Turnitin
• Your reflective report will draw upon; peer feedback, your personal reflections on your performance in part one, and appropriate additional reading, educational policy, research/theory and evidence from practice.
• Use one of the models of reflective practice introduced in this session (e.g. Gibbs, Brookfield, Moon, Schon or Kolb)
• Present your written statement using the same academic conventions as you did with assignment one (use an academic style of writing, support your statements with evidence/citations and Harvard referencing)
• Link your conclusions to targets for your development as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) looking forward to your first post

explain how the strategies outlined in this policy will make that airport, airline, or aviation organisation more attractive and competitive.

Description

The issues facing the aviation industry are complex and require sophisticated policy and strategy responses. However, developing an understanding of them is a rewarding experience for any aviation student seeking a career in strategic management. Taking into account key factors in the political, economic, social and technological environment which influence policy-making the relationship between research and policy-making has to be considered as well. As part of this assignment, you will choose a piece of aviation policy or strategy. This could, for example, be taken from any level on the policy hierarchy – from corporate strategy to any wider policy. Following this, you will explain how the strategies outlined in this policy will make that airport, airline, or aviation organisation more attractive and competitive. Here you are suggested to use a range of models such as Ansoff Matrix (1957), PESTEL (1967), Boston Matrix (1968), Porter’s Five Forces (1979), Mintzberg (1987), Bowman’s Strategic Clock (1997), Core Competencies (1990) Blue Ocean Strategy (2005), etc. as your 4/6/2022 Writers Hub – Freelance Writing https://www.writershub.org/writer/orders/852847#instructions 2/2 framework for analysis. You need to write a 2,000-word essay (excluding your bibliography and appendices). A copy of your chosen policy or strategy document must be included in the appendices. Please include a cover sheet with the name or title of your essay. Your answer is expected to be in prose. Please do not present your findings as a series of bullet points or notes. You may use diagrams or non-text elements wherever appropriate to clarify your explanations. You should include a word count at the end of your report. You are to work alone in writing the report and all submissions must be individual. You must submit the assignment electronically using Blackboard.

Apply and evaluate the use and adequacy of valuation methodologies to solve complex valuation problems within the appropriate legal and professional frameworks.

Module Outcomes Assessed:

1. Apply and evaluate the use and adequacy of valuation methodologies to solve complex valuation problems within the appropriate legal and professional frameworks.

2. Synthesise knowledge of valuation techniques and other land and property related knowledge in arriving at an opinion of value.

3. Collate, evaluate and utilise market data in the preparation of valuation figures.

Task outline:

Your firm has been instructed by your client Joseph Waller to provide an opinion of the market value of property in his ownership as at 1^st March 2022. The valuation is required for the purposes of future secured lending.

The details of the property assets are set out in this brief below.

Given that you have not inspected the assets listed nor had an opportunity of speaking with the owners of the property you may need to make assumptions in putting together the valuations. It is important that you state what those assumptions are.

You will also see that you have not been instructed as to the location of the properties listed. You are asked to assume that the property is located in whatever part of the country you either work or live in. This should clearly be stated somewhere in your submission.

You are not required to report your valuation figures within a formal valuation report but you are to assume that you are creating the valuation figures and supporting notes that will be retained on your file in the event that you should ever be required to defend your valuation.

Your file note should clearly set out your valuation approach, methodology, evidence and analysis to produce valuation figures that are completely supported by your workings.

Your file note should also summarise what you consider to be the main points/issues or assumptions that you would consider necessary to bring to your client’s attention in any valuation report relating to the assets that you are valuing.

Distinguish between the accounting for capital expenditures and revenue expenditures.

Description

Write a One page essay paper on the following topic: Distinguish between the accounting for capital expenditures and revenue expenditures. Reference: (H) Survey of Accounting Carl S. Warren, 2018 Cengage ISBN.13: 978-1-305-96188-3

Identify the factors which contribute towards environmental damage.

Assignment

Scenario

Paul Dukas, a sole trader, owns and operates a small garage providing car maintenance and repair services. Paul is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce and has been asked to chair a team, who will study the local Business Environment and produce materials for use by the Chamber and local businesses. He has asked you to support him with this work. Task 1 – External factors and environmental impacts You must produce a presentation with supporting notes in which you detail how external factors can impact on a business environment. You should: • Describe a range of external factors that may have an effect on business organisations. • Explain why business organisations choose to carry out a PESTLE analysis. • Describe the three-step crisis management procedure. • Identify the factors which contribute towards environmental damage. • Explain how factors which contribute towards environmental damage can be minimised. • Explain how a lack of care for the environment can impact on business profitability and reputation. Extension activities: To gain a merit grade you must prepare additional presentation slides. Using a business organisation of your choice, complete a PESTLE analysis, to describe the political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental factors facing your chosen organisation. © ATHE LTD 2018 2 17062016 Version 1.0 To gain a distinction grade you must prepare 3 leaflets which the Chamber of Commerce can add to the collection of leaflets, which are displayed in Reception. The leaflets must: • Make recommendations for dealing with the external opportunities and challenges facing an actual organisation you have chosen. • Evaluate how a chosen organisation has managed a specific crisis. • Make recommendations to a chosen organisation on how to reduce their environmental impact. LO1 AC 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 LO2 AC 2.1, 2.2 1M1, 1D1, 1D2, 2D1 Task 2 – Marketing Booklet The Chamber of Commerce has asked Paul to produce a booklet on Marketing that can be distributed to small businesses in the local area. The booklet must include the following: • An explanation of the function of marketing and how this is different from selling. • A description of the purpose of: a. a marketing plan b. marketing objectives He has specifically asked you to add examples here. • An explanation of the differences between internal and external data and information. • An explanation of the differences between primary and secondary information. Extension activities: To gain a merit grade you are required to provide additional sections to your booklet that describe: • the elements of the marketing mix, giving specific examples from an organisation that you have selected. • how organisations use the information that has been collected for marketing purposes. To gain a distinction grade you must choose a business organisation with which you are familiar. Using your chosen organisation you are required to provide an additional section to your booklet that: • evaluates a specific marketing campaign used by an organisation you have selected. © ATHE LTD 2018 3 17062016 Version 1.0 LO3 AC 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 3M1, 3M2, 3D1 Task 3 – Ethics and Culture Paul has asked you to prepare a section for a sample handbook for managers in start-up businesses. The sample handbook must include: • A description of the benefits to organisations of behaving ethically. • An explanation of the effect of organisational culture on business organisations. The explanation should include a range of examples from different organisations to illustrate the points you are making. Extension activities: To gain a merit grade you must include the following in your information sheet: • An explanation of why individuals and organisations might make unethical decisions or use unethical business practices. This explanation should use a range of practical examples. • An explanation of how management style would vary in a power, task and person culture. • A short personal case study, based on yourself. This case study should provide an assessment of which type of organisational culture you would prefer to work in. To gain a distinction grade you must include the following in your information sheet: • A review of the ethical record of a business organisation operating in the private sector. You should use a business organisation with which you are familiar

How do businesses make money?

Description

1 page writing assignment to answer the following question: How do businesses make money? What strategies can they use to gain a competitive edge? Reference: (H) Survey of Accounting Carl S. Warren, 2018 Cengage ISBN.13: 978-1-305-96188-3

You are the marketing research executive in an agency invited to tender for this ASOS project in the UK, you are required to produce a Research Proposal.

ASOS plc is a British online fashion and cosmetic retailer – www.asos.com

The company was founded in 2000 in London, primarily aimed at young adults. The website sells over 850 brands as well as its own range of clothing and accessories, and ships to all 196 countries from fulfilment centres in the UK, USA, and Europe.

The new marketing manager has developed the attached Research Brief which requires each student to complete two tasks as follows:

TASK ONE:

You are the marketing research executive in an agency invited to tender for this ASOS project in the UK, you are required to produce a Research Proposal.

[Further details at the end of the Research Brief.]

TASK TWO:

The Market Research Agency (in which you work as a marketing research executive) has been commissioned to do this Research project for ASOS.

You have been asked to produce an online questionnaire

(up to a maximum of 10 questions).

[Further details at the end of the Research Brief.]

Note:

No additional research into ASOS is needed to complete the two tasks as there is enough content within the ‘Research Brief’ to address the requirements of the two tasks.

The Research Brief (case scenario) is based on a mix of real and fictional data whereby Harvard referencing is intermittently used.

The emphasis in this assessment is to apply the module (5MARK012W) learning