Contra Costa College
Course Outline
Course Number
Course Title
Prerequisite
Challenge Policy
Co-requisite
Challenge Policy
ADJUS 222
Basic Investigation
ADJUS 121 / ADJUS 122
Number of Weeks
Lecture Hours By Term
Lab Hours By Term
*Hours By Arrangement
Units
18
54
3
Students will be given the opportunity to
challenge pre-requisite by showing an appropriate
assessment score or may take the final for the
pre-requisite and must achieve 70% or better.
Advisory
*HOURS BY ARRANGEMENT:
0
Hours per term.
ACTIVITIES: (Please provide a list of the activities students will perform in order to satisfy the HBA requirement):
COURSE/CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of investigation; crime scene search and recording; collection and
preservation of physical evidence; scientific aids; sources of information; interviews and interrogation; and follow-up
case preparation. Not repeatable.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of the course the student will be able to:
Conduct a satisfactory investigation in criminal and non-criminal matters.
Gather facts, analyze the facts, and draw sound conclusions based on the facts revealed.
Explain the process of gathering evidence, the chain of evidence and the legal implication during an investigation.
Distinguish between an interview and interrogation and apply appropriate techniques to each.
INTENDED STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Conduct Interviews and interrogations
Develop a crime scene notebook
Student can conduct a basic investigation and create a report
COURSE CONTENT (Lecture):
Crime scene management
Utility of evidence
Documentation of evidence
Follow-up investigation
Interviewing
Interrogating techniques
Physical evidence
Laboratories
Ethical challenges
Surveillance
Source of information
Trial process
COURSE CONTENT (Lab):
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lecture and discussion
Guest speakers and demonstrations
Role playing
Field trips
Special projects and reports
Audio-visual presentation
Reading assignments
Information sheet
Student-instructor conferences
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
NOTE: To be UC/CSU transferable, the text must be dated within the last 7 years OR a statement of justification for a text beyond the
last 7 years must be included.
Textbook Title: Criminal Investigation: The Art and the Science, 7/E
Author:
Publisher:
Edition/Date:
Textbook Reading Level:
Justification Statement:
Lyman, Michael D.
Prentice Hall
7th, 2014
13
(For textbook beyond 7 years)
Lab Manual Title (if applicable):
Author:
Publisher:
Edition/Date:
OUTSIDE OF CLASS WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS:
Title 5, section 55002.5 establishes that a range of 48-54 hours of lecture, study, or lab work is required for one unit of credit.
 For each hour of lecture, students should be required to spend an additional two hours of study outside of class to earn one
unit of credit.
Title 5, section 55002(a) 2F establishes coursework should call “for critical thinking and the understanding and application of
concepts determined by the curriculum committee to be at college level.”
 For degree applicable courses: List one example of critical thinking out-of-class assignments
Outside of Class Weekly Assignments
Hours per week
Weekly Reading Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
2
Students will read the textbook and handouts and create a notebook as a study guide for testing.
Weekly Writing Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
2
Students will be exposed to report writing prompts using the milo range simulator. They will create investigative
reports as homework assignments. This will require them to refine their observation and critical thinking skills.
Weekly Math Problems (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
Lab or Software Application Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
2
The class will be broken into two groups. Group one will watch a use of force simulation on the milo range system.
Group two will interview group one students as a homework assignment and create a witness statement from their
interview experience. The purpose of this exercise is for students to develop observation; verbal communication and
witness statement report development skills. Group one and two will switch roles every week.
Other Performance Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
STUDENT EVALUATION: (Show percentage breakdown for evaluation instruments)
Title 5, section 55002 (a) 2A requires that the grade be based on demonstrated proficiency in subject matter.
 For degree applicable courses: Course requires essay writing, or, in courses where the curriculum committee deems
appropriate, problem solving exercises, or skills demonstrations by students.
Title 5, section 55002(a) 2F requires that coursework call for critical thinking and the understanding and application of concepts
determined by the curriculum committee to be at college level.
 For degree applicable courses: List (an) example(s) of methods of evaluation that assess critical thinking.
40
20
%
Essay
Report preparation
Computation or Non-computational Problem Solving Skills
Observation and articulation development
Skills Demonstration
20
%
Interview/ interrogation
Objective Examinations
20
%
%
Other (describe)
%
%
%
GRADING POLICY: (Choose LG, P/NP, or SC)
Pass / No Pass
x Letter Grade
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass
Prepared by: Dr. Rick Ramos
Date: March 6, 2015
Revised form 08/14
Student Choice
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
or
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass