Temple College Criminal Justice
Criminal Investigation
CJSA1342/CRIJ 2314
MISSION STATEMENT
The primary mission of the Temple College Criminal Justice Department is to provide
educational opportunities that will allow the student the ability to achieve their career goals.
This is accomplished in a twofold manner: 1) delivering quality criminal justice education that
provides the student with the basic knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to begin a career in
criminal justice, and 2) provide each student with the knowledge and ability to develop career
contacts in his or her chosen field.
Catalog Description
Investigative theory; collection and preservation of evidence; sources of information;
interview/interrogation techniques; uses of forensic sciences; case and trial preparation.
Class Day and Time
Course Requirements
A.
Your first responsibility is to scholarship. The grade you receive will be the results of
your efforts, not a gift from the instructor.
B.
This course is designed to require a steady, continuous effort from the student. A crashcram policy will not result in the best grade possible. In addition to exams, factors such
as class participation, initiative, attendance and individual research will be considered in
grade computations.
C.
From time to time, special library and other assignments may be made given to members
of the class, individually, and/or in groups. You are expected to read all assignments and
fulfill your responsibilities to any assignment.
D.
Good class notes are indispensable for earning a good grade since both the material
assigned and material discussed will be the basis for examination material. Regular
attendance is essential for the same reason.
Examinations
A.
There will be a minimum of three examinations as follows;
1.
3.
Three week examination
Twelve-week examination
2.
4.
Mid-Term examination
Final examination
NOTE: The twelve week examination may be optional, at the instructors discretion.
B.
Unannounced short quizzes may be given covering material that has been assigned or
discussed.
C.
Occasionally a student will find it unavoidable to be absent from an examination. Only
student with excused absences will be permitted to make-up examinations. It is the
students responsibility to contact the instructor for test make-up dates.
D.
Examinations may be structured to include both subjective and objective types of
questions. At the time of testing students will be equipped with paper, pencil, and
scantron.
Evaluation of Students
1.
2.
3.
4.
Multiple choice, True/False, short answer completion, and matching.
Take home examinations.
Incentive Points
Special work (briefs, reaction papers, group projects, reseach paper)
Examination Dates
Three Week Examination
Twelve Week Examination
Mid-Term Examination
Final Examination
Semester Grade Computation
Exam
Three Week
Mid-Term
Twelve Week
Final Examination
Incentive Points
Special Work
Total Points
Points
100
200
200
300
50
150
1000
200
250
0
350
50
150
1000
Points
900 -1000 = A
800 - 899 = B
700 - 799 = C
600 - 699 = D
Withdrawal from a Course or Courses
From time to time a student may find it necessary to withdraw from a class or classes. The
Temple College catalog outlines the necessary procedures to properly withdraw from classes.
Refer to the catalog for the proper withdrawal policy.
Text:
Berg, Bruce L., Criminal Investigation, Glencoe, McGraw-Hill,1997.
Module 1
Investigative Theory
A.
Crucial Role of Investigative Process
The student will;
1.
2.
3.
4.
B.
Describe the importance of the investigative process.
Define preliminary investigation.
Describe the duties of officers conducting a preliminary investigation.
Compare and contrast criminal investigation and preliminary
investigation.
Objectivity
The student will;
1.
2.
C.
Discuss the necessity of maintaining objectivity while conducing an
investigation.
List the five qualifications of an investigator.
Purpose of Investigation
The student will;
1.
2.
D.
List and discuss the purpose of an investigation.
Discuss how an investigation assists in crime detection.
Concept of Proof
The student will;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
E.
Define mere suspicion
Define probable cause
Discuss the concept of “Beyond reasonable doubt”.
Define corpus delicti.
Describe the role mere suspicion, probable cause, corpus delicti play in the
concept of proof of guilt or the occurrence of a crime.
Basic Techniques
The student will;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Describe the role of observation as an investigative technique.
Define interview.
Define interrogation.
Compare and contrast interview and interrogation.
Describe the role interviewing and interrogation techniques play as an
investigative technique.
Define instrumentation
Describe the role of instrumentation plays as an investigative tool.
Define information.
Describe the importance of information in an investigation.
Activities;
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lecture
Class discussion
Reading assignment
Group Investigation & due date
Module 2
Collection and Preservation of Evidence
A.
Crime Scene Conduct
The student will;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
B.
Define crime scene
List, describe, and demonstrate crime scene protection techniques.
List and describe different duties for investigators.
Identify and discuss preliminary procedures followed in dealing with
crimes against property.
Identify and discuss preliminary procedures followed in dealing with
crimes against persons.
Protection of and Crime Scene Search
The student will;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
List and describe procedures taken upon arrival at the scene.
Describe procedures for identifying victims of serious injury or death.
List and identify the available special units which may be called to the
scene.
Identify information released to other officers.
Discuss the legal authority to protect the crime scene and establish the
perimeters.
6.
7.
C.
List, describe, and demonstrate the procedures for securing the crime
scene.
List, describe, and demonstrate methods of searching a crime scene,
Handling Evidence
The student will;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Describe the necessity of maintaining evidence integrity.
Describe and demonstrate the techniques used to mark evidence.
Describe and demonstrate the techniques used to properly package
evidence.
Discuss and demonstrate the proper storage of evidence
Define chain of custody
Describe the necessity of maintaining chain of custody
Describe and demonstrate how chain of custody is kept.
Discuss the legal restrictions pertaining to evidence collection.
Activities;
1.
2.
3.
Lecture
Class discussion
Reading assignment
Module 3
Sources of Information
A.
Surveillance
The student will;
1.
2.
3.
B.
Define surveillance
Describe surveillance techniques
Discuss the importance of surveillance to an investigation.
Informants
The student will;
1.
2.
3.
C.
Define informants
Discuss the importance of informants to investigations.
Describe methods used to develop informants.
Testimonial Evidence
The student will;
1.
2.
D.
Define testimonial evidence
Describe the uses of testimonial evidence.
Physical Evidence
The student will;
1.
2.
E.
Define physical evidence.
Discuss methods used to collect information from evidence.
Records
The student will;
1.
Discuss how records are used to collect information.
Activities;
1.
2.
3.
Lecture
Class discussion
Reading assignment
Module 4
Interview and Interrogation
A.
Legal Issues
The student will;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Discuss the legal requirements for conducting interviews/interrogations.
Describe the physical settings recommended for interviews/
interrogations.
Describe and demonstrate the necessity of establishing rapport during an
interview/interrogation.
Demonstrate the techniques used in conducting an interview/interrogation.
Describe and demonstrate methods of recording information.
List methods of recording information.
Discuss the necessity of testing the credibility of a witness/informant.
Activities;
1.
2.
Lecture
Class discussion
3.
Reading assignment
Module 5
Field Note Taking
A.
Field Note Taking Techniques
The student will;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Define and identify uses of field notes.
List the types of information entered into an officer’s notebook.
Discuss the importance of answering Who, What , When, Where, Why
and How.
Identify and describe the two systems of field Note taking.
List the advantage of proper field notes.
List the rules for complete Note taking.
Demonstrate proper Note taking techniques.
Activities;
1.
2.
3.
Lecture
Class discussion
Reading assignment
Module 6
Case and Trial Preparation
A.
Case preparation
The student will;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Describe and list reasons for case preparation.
Discuss the importance of written documentation.
Discuss the value of a properly prepared case folder.
List and discuss the importance of liaison with the prosecutor.
Define case summary
Describe the development of case summaries.
Describe proper courtroom demeanor of an investigator.
Complete a criminal case, complete with a case summary.
Activities;
1.
2.
3.
Lecture
Class discussion
Reading assignment
Module 7
Uses of Forensic Sciences
A.
Forensic Pathology
The student will;
1.
2.
B.
Define forensic pathology
Describe the contribution of forensic pathology to an investigation.
Forensic Toxicology
The student will;
1.
2.
B.
Define forensic toxicology
Describe the contribution of forensic pathology to an investigation.
Photography
The student will;
1.
2.
3.
C.
Discuss the importance of photography to an investigation.
List and discuss the type of equipment necessary for proper crime scene
photographs.
Discuss the legal requirements of photographs in the courtroom.
Fingerprints
The student will;
1.
2.
3.
D.
Discuss the history of fingerprints.
List the type of fingerprints.
Describe and demonstrate proper fingerprint lifting techniques.
Ballistics
The student will;
1.
2.
E.
Define ballistics
Describe the use of ballistics during an investigation.
Hair and Fiber
The student will;
1.
F.
Describe the uses of hair and fiber evidence.
Polygraph
The student will;
1.
2.
3.
G.
Discuss the history of the polygraph
Discuss the legal restrictions placed on the polygraph in court.
Discuss the uses of the polygraph.
Handwriting Analysis
The student will;
1.
2.
Discuss the history of hand writing analysis.
Discuss the uses of handwriting in an investigation.
Activities;
1.
2.
3.
Lecture
Class discussion
Reading assignment