Syllabus Sections
Publish Date
05/23/2018 13:44:58
Criminal Investigation
CRIJ-2314
Credit Summer 2018
05/29/2018 - 07/05/2018
Course Information
Section 001
Lecture
MW 15:00 - 19:00
HLC1 1306.00
Gerald Hildebrand
Office Hours
-
M W
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland Campus room 1306
Will also meet from 7:00pm to 8:00pm on M/W at same room.
Course Requirements
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Attendance: Each student is expected to attend all classes. Those who choose not to attend or cannot attend will lose valuable information and will not benefit from the class discussions. Attendance will be formally recorded. Each student starts the course with 100 points for attendance. If a student is absent or tardy 4 points will be deducted from the 100 point total. There will be about 10 pop-quizzes given during the term. The total score on the pop-quizzes will equal a major exam score (100 points total). If a student is not present for a pop-quiz, which generally will be given at the beginning of the class over material expected to be covered that week, will NOT be able to make it up. There is no extra credit planned for this course but may be considered if available to the entire class. Excused absences are rare and involve a serious illness or emergency. Advanced notice or some type of communication is desirable for those with serious illness or emergencies. Each emergency case will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Students who fail to attend class and do not withdraw before August 1, 2013 will receive an “F” for the course. It is the student’s responsibility to drop the course as the instructor will not initiate this process. |
INSTRUCTOR’S GRADING POLICY |
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There will be three major examinations, 10 pop quiz totals, and the attendance score which will comprise the grading structure in this course amounting to a total of five hundred points. The sum of these five grading criteria will arrive at a final total numeric count. This will be used to determine the alpha grade as follows:
450-500 = A 400-449 = B 350-399 = C 300-349 = D < 300 = F
Students who fail to prepare or do not participate in class discussions can lose up to 4 points against their attendance score for those particular classes. Tests cannot be re-taken. Electronic devices: All electronic devices are to be silent during class. If a student must answer a silent call they must quietly leave the classroom to do so. All electronic devices will be turned off during test periods. Any call handled during test periods will be grounds for receiving a zero for the examination. If a student receives a call or must make a call during a test period this must be approved by the instructor with no exceptions. Students who disrupt class with a call during class time or engage in text messaging or other telephonic or computer/internet activity will have to vacate the classroom and ten points will be de deducted from the attendance score. No Texting in class is allowed. If a student is using a computer to take notes it must be done quietly and be used strictly for that purpose. If computer use disrupts other students or the instructor it may be terminated at the discretion of the instructor. Class discussions: All students are expected to participate in class discussions and be prepared with the reading material prior to each class. Failure to participate will affect your final grade and may be grounds for deducting points from the next pop-quiz. I request that each person raise their hand to be recognized and that only one person at a time will have the floor. It is acceptable to disagree with the instructor and other students so long as the discussion is respectful and professional. |
Readings
Textbook:
Current edition of Criminal Investigation
Author: Swanson, Chamelin, & Territo
Publisher: McGraw Hill
Course Subjects
Chapter 1 Introduction, Orientation and Syllabus
Chapter 1 History/Identification Methods (History DVD)
Chapter 2 Legal Aspects- Arrest, Search & Seizure
Chapter 3 Investigation processes/crime scene
Chapter 4 Physical Evidence
Examination #1 over chapters 1- 4
Chapter 5 Interview/Interrogation
Chapter 5 Interview/Interrogation (Williams Interrogation)
Chapter 6 Field Notes and Reporting
Chapter 7 Follow-up and investigative resources
Chapter 8 Crime Laboratory
Examination # 2 over chapters 5 - 8
Chapter 9 Injury and Death
Chapter 10 Sex-related offenses
Chapter 21 Terrorism
Examination 3 over chapters 9-10 and 21
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
- Field Notetaking
Unit Goal: 15.1 The student will understand the principles, uses, and the application of taking proper field notes.
- Define and identify use of field notes.
- Select and organize types of information that should be entered into officer’s field notebook.
- Compile questions that should be answered in field notes in order to complete report.
- Identify and describe the two systems of field notetaking and the mechanics of keeping field notes.
- List the advantage of proper field notes.
- List the rules for complete notetaking.
- Criminal Investigation – Introduction
Unit Goal: 33.1. The student will have a working knowledge of the goals and objectives of criminal investigation.
- Define Criminal Investigation
- Identify the tools of the criminal investigator.
- List the goals of criminal investigation.
- Identify the duties of the officer in conducting the preliminary investigation.
- Identify the elements of the continuing or follow-up investigation.
- Define corpus delicti and discuss its significance in the criminal investigative process.
- Define evidence and discuss its legal significance.
- Define reasonable doubt and discuss its significance in criminal cases.
- List five qualifications of an investigator.
Unit Goal: 33.3.The student will obtain a working knowledge of basic preliminary investigatory procedures associated with various crimes.
- Identify and discuss general preliminary investigatory procedures to be followed when dealing with crimes against property.
- Identify and discuss general preliminary investigatory procedures to be followed when dealing with crimes against persons.
Unit Goal: 33.4.The student will obtain a working knowledge of forensic procedures and terminology related to homicide investigation.
- Define autopsy and discuss its value in homicide investigations.
- Define the following terms as they relate to homicide investigation and discuss their significance.
Unit Goal: 33.5.The student will obtain a working knowledge of laboratory and other procedures of value in the criminal investigative process.
- Identify typical laboratory and other procedures useful in furthering criminal investigations.
- Criminal Investigation – Protection of and Crime Scene Search
Unit Goal: 33.6.To increase the student’s understanding of, respect for , and actual application of the tasks required in conducting a criminal investigation.
- List and describe procedures to be taken upon arrival at the scene.
- Describe procedures for identifying victim in case of serious injury or death.
- Identify the available special units which may be called to the scene.
- Identify information which should be made known to other officers.
- Discuss the legal authority to protect the crime scene and establish the perimeters.
- Describe procedures for securing the crime scene.
- Criminal Investigation – Interviewing Techniques
Unit Goal: 33.9.To recognize the components of and the differences between interviewing complainants/witnesses, victims and suspects.
- Explain the legal requirements for conducting interviews.
- Describe and practice the techniques used in conducting an interview.
- Criminal Investigation – Case Management
Unit Goal: 33.12. To develop proficiency in the case management process.
- Describe and list reasons for case preparation or management.
- Discuss the value of a properly prepared case folder.
- Identify and prepare the type of documentary information included in a case folder and in a prosecution summary.