CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND EVIDENCE
Public Administration Course #329
Spring 2006
SYLLABUS
Professor:
William L. Flink
Office: Room G-5
Basement of Maury Building
College Office Hours: Thursday 5:30 pm - 6:15 pm
Also, Monday thru Friday, 4pm – 6 pm
Telephone: (540) 447-0932
E-mail address: flinkwl@jmu.edu
TEXTBOOK REQUIRED: Criminal Investigation, (Seventh Edition) by Bennett & Hess.
Wadsworth/Thompson Learning, 2004
SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Reserved, and other readings, may be announced from time-to-time.
Current events from daily newspapers that may have application to class
Weekly news magazines as applied in number 2 above.
Topical handouts as they may become available.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To become familiar with the history, background, and development of criminal investigations. To
become familiar with the type of investigations frequently utilized by those other than law
enforcement personnel such as attorneys, reporters, and private investigators. Emphasis will be
placed on techniques utilized in the collection of information suitable for admissibility as evidence
in court. The preparation of a suitable written investigative report will also be included. The report
presentation will be from the perspective of an experienced criminal investigator.
COURSE FORMAT:
The following format will be utilized as much as possible in conducting this course. Reading
assignments. Lectures. Class participation and discussions. An investigative project, to be
determined, will be conducted in class. It will include the preparation of a written investigative
report. An independently written research project conducted outside of class is required with the
possibility of a brief oral summary of your report for the entire class.
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CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND EVIDENCE
Public Administration Course #329
Spring 2006
Grades will be determined roughly as follows: Points
1.
Mid-Term Examination:
100
(Will cover all material discussed
or assigned prior to the examination.)
2.
Class participation and attendance:
50
3.
Research Abstract and Class Assignments
50
4.
Independent Research Paper:
50
5.
Class Investigative Project:
50
6.
Final Examination :
100
(Will cover all material discussed
or assigned during the course.)
400 Total Points
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance will be considered a part of your class participation. Roll will be taken each class.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH STUDENT TO SEE THAT HE/SHE HAS
PROPERLY INDICATED HIS/HER ATTENDANCE ON THE CLASS ROSTER THAT
WILL BE CIRCULATED DURING EACH SESSION. Excused absences from class will be
granted for emergency or justifiable reasons. These excuses will be granted only upon receipt of a
timely written request or e-mail message from student stating the reason for missing. You can
expect to see a negative impact on your final grade if you have more than a ten-percent un-excused
absence rate for the course.
RESEARCH PAPER:
An original individual research paper of at least ten typed pages (double spaced) on a criminal
investigative or evidence topic selected by the student and approved by the instructor is required.
Subsequent to completion of the paper, you may be called on to present a five or six minute oral
summary of the results of your research. A list of suggested research topics is attached. The list is
not all-inclusive and should you have a topic not included on the list, please feel free to discuss it
with the instructor. I strongly believe it is of more value and more fun for you to research/write on
a topic of specific interest to you, and I will be flexible in this regard.
A short typed abstract (regular 8.5 x 11-inch paper) containing research topic, question to be
studied, intended scope of inquiry and relevancy must be submitted and approved prior to initiation
of research. Appearance, neatness, proper grammar, punctuation and clarity of expression are
important and will count as part of your grade. If appropriate, the research paper may have a cover
sheet, outline, and captions, to support the body of the report. All papers must have a bibliography
which identifies sourced used in the paper. Research material may be obtained from the library
(including the law library, government documents, and current and historic periodicals) the Internet
and personal interviews or other sources with credibility. You may express some of your own
views on the topic being studied, but the majority of the research must come from credible and
professional sources. Your own views must be labeled as such.
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CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND EVIDENCE
Public Administration Course #329
Spring 2006
THE RESEARCH PAPER AND WRITTEN CLASS INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT MUST
BE TURNED IN ON THE DATE ANNOUNCED. FAILURE TO DO SO, WITHOUT
JUSTIFICATION, WILL BE CONSIDERED WHEN GRADING.
CALENDAR:
The following calendar is an attempt to logically schedule the semester studies for this course. It is
expected that adjustments will be required as the semester progresses and such adjustments will be
made as needed and announced in class:
January 12:
Course Introduction
January 19:
Historical Origins of Criminal Investigations (Chapter 1 and 2 of Text)
January 26:
Laws of Evidence (No reading assignment due)
February 2:
Investigative Note-Taking and Reports, Interviews and Interrogations
(Chapters 2, 5 and 20 of Text)
February 9:
Searches and Introduction To Physical Evidence (Chapter 3 and 4 of Text)
February 16:
Physical Evidence (Continued) (Chapter 4 of Text) RESEARCH PAPER
ABSTRACT DUE. (Prepare (typed) on standard 8.5 x 11-inch sheet of paper.)
February 23:
Identifying Suspects and Death Investigations (Chapters 6 and 7 of Text), Start
Class Investigative Project. (Report Forms) Review for Mid-Term Exam.
March 2:
Mid-Term Exam
March 9:
Spring Break
March 16:
Investigative Project – Crime Scene
March 23:
Continued Class Investigative Project, Death Investigations (Chapters 7 of Text)
March 30:
Continued Class Investigative Project, Death Investigations (Chapters 7 of Text);
EXTRA CREDIT READINGS DUE
April 6:
Death Investigations (Continued) and Other Crimes of Violence (Chapters 7 and
8 of Text)
April 13:
Sex Crimes and Crimes Against Children (Chapters 9 and 10 of Text);
RESEARCH PAPER DUE
April 20:
Specialized Investigations (Chapters 14, 15, and 16 of Text);
INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT WRITTEN REPORT DUE.
April 27:
Final Exam
May 4:
Administrative Time/Counseling
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CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND EVIDENCE
Public Administration Course #329
Spring 2006
APPROVED EXTRA READINGS
An additional goal in this class is to stimulate your interest in the subject material of the course.
The following books are provided as suggested outside reading for this course. This list is not allinclusive and any legitimate book, which involves criminal investigations, could also be of interest
or value. Reports on these books will be considered as extra credit for this course. A list of books
approved to be read for extra credit are listed below. No other readings shall be approved for
extra credit. Reports on approved reading should be three to five pages in length, double-spaced
and typed. The report should highlight what has been learned from the book concerning criminal
justice and criminal investigation. Extra credit book reports must be turned-in for grading on
or before March 30, 2006. Extra credit readings are 10 points. Only one extra credit book
report is allowed during the class.
American Terrorist: Timothy McVeigh & The Oklahoma City Bombing, Lou Michael and Dan
Herbeck
Helter Skelter, by Vincent Bugliosi with Curt Gentry
Famous Crimes Revisited, by Dr. Henry Lee & Dr. Jerry Labriola
Reasonable Doubt, by Henry Hurt
Echoes of Darkness, by Joseph Wambaugh
The Only Living Witness, by Stephen Michaud & Hugh Aynesworth
The Boston Strangler, by Gerold Frank
Murder in Memphis, by Mark Lane & Dick Gregory
Witnesses From The Grave, by Christopher Joyce & Eric Stover
American Jihad: The Terrorists Living Among Us, by Steven Emerson
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CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND EVIDENCE
Public Administration Course #329
Spring 2006
RESEARCH PAPER:
An original research paper of at least 10 pages (double spaced) on a criminal investigation topic
selected by the student and approved by the instructor is required. Suggested research topics are
listed below, however, this list is not all-inclusive and you may select another topic. I believe it is
important for you to research and write on a topic of specific interest to you and I will be flexible in
this regard, however, all topics must be approved by the instructor.
This abstract should be typed on standard 8.5 x 11-inch paper. If appropriate, the research paper
may have a cover page, outline, and captions to support the body of the report. All papers must
have a bibliography that identifies sources used in the paper. Research material may be obtained
from the library (including the law library, government documents, and current and historic
periodicals) the Internet and personal interviews or other sources with credibility. Don't hesitate to
express your own views on the topic being studied, but label them as such.
Appearance, neatness, proper grammar, punctuation and clarity of expression are important and will
count as part of your grade. All research papers are to be typed and will be kept by the instructor at
the end of the semester.
SUGGESTED RESEARCH PAPER TOPICS:
Ballistics
Counterfeiting
Counterintelligence
Credit Card Fraud
DNA Analysis
Espionage Investigations
Facial Reconstruction
Forensic Computer Investigation
Forensic Odontology
Gang Investigations
Homicide Investigation Techniques
Narcotics Investigations
Organized Crime Investigations
The Use of Hypnosis in Investigations
The Ruby Ridge Confrontation
Criminal Psychological Profiling
The O.J. Simpson Investigation
The Brinks Robbery Investigation
The Bombing at the Atlanta Olympics
New Technology In Criminal Investigations
Terrorism Investigations
Vice Investigations
White Collar Crime
Police Misconduct Investigations
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