CRJ-134: Criminal Investigation

School
Liberal Arts
Division
Social Sciences
Department
Criminal Justice
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Criminal Justice
Course Number
134
Course Title
Criminal Investigation
Credit Hours
3.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
Completion of CRJ-131, with a grade of C or better.
Catalog Course Description

Introduces criminal investigation and the techniques of forensic science. Topics include information accumulation, specific crimes, and preparation for purposes of prosecution.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Core Course Topics
  1. Criminal Investigation: An Overview
    • Identify the early pioneers of the science of investigations.
    • Apply Inductive and Deductive Reasoning skills to crime scene investigations.
    • Identify and define the nature of a crime
  2. Writing Effective Reports
    • Analyze the characteristics of a good/bad police report.
  3. Crime Scene Search
    • Explain what is meant by the “corpus delecti” of a crime.
    • Explain the Exclusionary Rule of Evidence.
    • Explain Geographic Profiling.
  4. Forensic/Physical Evidence
    • Describe the evolution of the Exclusionary Rule.
    • Explain the “silver platter” doctrine.
    • Differentiate between the different types of evidentiary hearings.
  5. Obtaining Information
    • Define “Rapport”.
    • Distinguish between Interrogations and Interviews.
    • Distinguish between Confessions and Admissions.
    • Recognize the differences between the Crime Scene Search Methods.
  6. “Modus Operandi”
    • Define modus operandi.
    • Analyze how "modus operandi" can assist in identifying and apprehending a suspect.
  7. Identifying and Arresting Subjects
    • Describe proper procedures when arresting an individual.
  8. Homicide Investigation
    • Describe the various postmortem changes occurring at the time of death.
    • Outline the priorities of a homicide scene.
  9. Crimes Against Children
    • Identify types of child molesters.
    • Categorize different types of child abuse.
  10. Search Warrants
    • Examine the requirements for a Search Warrant.
    • Analyze the 10 exceptions to a Search Warrant.
  11. Line-ups
    • Describe proper rules of a line-up procedure.

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement

Students will be assessed by completing 3 written, multiple choice exams. They will also perform in class written assignments.

Outcomes

General Education Categories
  • Social Sciences
MTA Categories
  • Category 4: Social Sciences
Satisfies Wellness Requirement
No
Effective Term
Fall 2022