Catalog Description

Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Fundamentals of investigation; addresses the techniques, procedures, and investigation of crime, including organization of crime scene searches and recording; collection and preservation of evidence; sources of information; surveillance; interview and interrogation; follow-up investigation; resources; scientific analysis of evidence, case preparation and the role of the investigator in the trial process. (C-ID AJ 140) (CSU)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Apply current techniques in documenting a crime scene, property and evidence.
  • CSLO #2: Identify and explain various types of evidence and their use in the investigation process.
  • CSLO #3: Compare and contrast methods and legalities of obtaining suspect information by applying various interview and interrogation techniques.

Effective Term

Fall 2017

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

1. Analyze the characteristics of an effective investigator and their importance in the judicial process;
2. Identify critical ethical issues relating to criminal investigations;
3. Describe successive steps of the criminal investigation process beginning with first responder to the crime scene;
4. Describe the duties and safety considerations for the first responder;
5. Apply current techniques in documenting the description of property/evidentiary items found in a crime scene as well as their location;
6. Apply and demonstrate the legal considerations related to crime scene searches and seizures of evidence;
7. Contrast the various methods of evidence collection, preservation and crime scene security;
8. Identify the role of forensic examination in a criminal investigative process;
9. Recognize, identify and explain the types of evidence and their uses in the criminal investigation process;
10. Compare and contrast the various methods and legalities of obtaining suspect information, including interviewing and interrogating witnesses and suspects and use of data information systems;
11. Describe nature and types of violent crimes based on a criminal investigation and crime elements; and
12. Develop a list of common evidence found at property crime scenes.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • CSU Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Objective Examinations
            • Example: Students will list and identify various types of evidence found at various types of crime scenes.
          • Problem Solving Examinations
            • Example: After investigating a mock crime scene, students will create a written report in which they properly record the specific elements of the crime represented.
          • Skill Demonstrations
            • Example: Students will investigate a mock crime scene where they will locate and record evidence through the development of a crime scene sketch.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Lecture/Discussion
          • Distance Learning

          Lecture:

          1. Using PPT and crime-scene photographs, the instructor will explain the considerations for identifying, collecting and preserving various types of evidence commonly found at a crime scene. Students will complete an exercise that requires them to put the sequence of steps in order.

          Distance Learning

          1. Instructor will provide students with photographs of various crime scenes, and students will identify in chronological sequence the proper steps to process each crime scene.

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. Students will collect and analyze five current event articles which relate to different crimes and identify the crime elements. 2. Based on assigned readings students will compare and contrast various Intelligence sources available to the criminal investigator.

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          1. Students will investigate a mock crime scene where they will locate and record evidence through the development of a crime scene sketch. 2. Students will be given a crime scene scenario where they will conduct an interview of a "witness" and then write a report documenting the details of the interview.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          Sample Assignment: Given a scenario-based problem, the students will be placed into groups of 4-5 to analyze the given scenario and will submit their findings in an oral presentation to the class for discussion and evaluation.

          Required Materials

          • Criminal Investigation
            • Author: Hess and Orthmann
            • Publisher: Delmar Cengage Learning
            • Publication Date: 2016
            • Text Edition: 11th
            • Classic Textbook?: No
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Criminal Investigation: Basic Perspectives
            • Author: Lushbaugh and Weston
            • Publisher: Pearson
            • Publication Date: 2015
            • Text Edition: 13th
            • Classic Textbook?: No
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

          Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.