Huntingdon College
W. James Samford, Jr. School of Business and Professional Studies
COURSE NUMBER: CJ201
COURSE NAME: Criminal Investigation
Fall 2014 Session II Rainsville
5:30-9:30
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME: Mr. Brent Satterfield
CONTACT INFOMATION: bsatterfield@hawks.huntingdon.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course examines the investigative process and covers the
techniques used to investigate various types of crimes. It covers the theories and practices
used in the investigative process, including the use of new and innovative techniques, and
develops a working knowledge of the steps of investigation from initial crime scene security
to the presentation of evidence and testimony in court.
PREREQUISITE: None.
TEXT REQUIRED: Hess Orthmann, Christine and Hess, Karen Matison, (2013) Criminal
Investigation, 10th Edition, Cengage Learning.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
• Learn the procedures, techniques, and applications of private and public investigation,
including the elements of an effective, efficient investigation, and understand the
equipment, technology, and procedures that facilitate investigation.
• Learn the various investigative responsibilities, including: documenting the scene; note
taking, photographing, and sketching; writing reports; searching crime scenes and
suspects; identifying and collecting physical evidence; obtaining information and
intelligence; and identifying and arresting suspects.
• Learn the basics in investigating violent crimes.
• Learn about investigating crimes against property.
• Know the investigative challenges involved in investigating the following: computer
crimes and cybercrimes; drug-related crime and organized crime; illegal activities of
gangs and other dangerous groups, such as hate groups and cults.
• Learn about the investigation of terrorism and homeland security issues.
• Know how to end an investigation and prepare for and present cases in court.
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING CRITERIA:
Exams: Five quizzes. Each quiz is worth 100 points, for a total possible of 500 points from
quizzes. Each quiz covers the subject matter of its respective class session and is not cumulative.
Each quiz will also include one discussion question which may be answered at your option.
Discussion answers will be evaluated, and points earned will be “bonus” points for the respective
quiz. The purpose of the quiz is to make certain that you have read the text. Questions appearing
on the quiz may not necessarily be taken from the presentation and discussion of the material
during the class.
Writing Assignments: There will be a writing assignment due for each class. Each writing
assignment will be worth 10 points, for a total possible of 50 points from writing assignments.
The subject matter of each writing assignment will be taken from the material covered in the text
for that class period. The purpose of the writing assignments is to assess your critical thinking
skills and ability to apply what you have learned in the text to a real-life situation. Wherever you
see instructions to use the Internet and do a search, please do the following: a) go to the Library's
web site and use our online catalogue (Countess OneSearch), and b) go into the Library’s
databases. If you do not find what you are seeking there, you may search the Internet at large, but
do not use Google; use Google Scholar for your searches.
Quiz scores will be averaged and will be equivalent to 60 percent of your overall grade for the
course. Written assignments will be equivalent to 30 percent of your overall grade for the course.
Class participation accounts for 10 percent of your overall grade for the course.
CLASS SCHEDULE:
Week One – Introduction and Basic Investigative Responsibilities
Reading Assignment
Chapter 1: Criminal Investigation: An Overview
Chapter 2: Documenting the Crime Scene: Note Taking, Photographing, and Sketching
Chapter 3: Writing Effective Reports
Writing Assignment #1
Using the Internet, do a search for “report writing in law enforcement.” Find one current article
relevant to writing offense reports. Outline the article, and summarize it. Be prepared to present
your outline and summary to the class.
Quiz #1 at the end of the session.
Week Two – Basic Investigative Responsibilities
Reading Assignment
Chapter 4: Searches
Chapter 5: Forensics/Physical Evidence
Chapter 6: Obtaining Information and Intelligence
Chapter 7: Identifying and Arresting Suspects
Writing Assignment #2
Do an Internet search on how technology has speeded up the processing of DNA. Use the articles
to write an essay on how technology has sped up DNA processing. Be prepared to present your
essay to the class and to discuss with the class what you predict the future holds in terms of DNA
evidence.
OR
Do an Internet search on criminal profiling, psychological profiling, and racial profiling. Write
an essay, defining each and explaining how they are alike and how they are different.
Quiz #2 at the end of the session.
Week Three – Investigating Violent Crimes
Reading Assignment
Chapter 8: Death Investigations
Chapter 9: Assault, Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Elder Abuse
Chapter 10: Sex Offenses
Chapter 11: Crimes against Children
Chapter 12: Robbery
Writing Assignment #3
Do an Internet search on elder abuse. Read the articles, and identify whether or not elder abuse is
a growing problem. Find a related criminal case that is associated with elder physical abuse,
neglect, sexual or financial exploitation. Write an essay regarding elder abuse, using the related
criminal case. Be prepared to present your essay to the class.
OR
Do an Internet search on negotiating with hostage-takers. Read the articles, and write an essay on
what techniques can be and have been successfully used to negotiate with those who have taken
hostages in the commission of violent crimes. Be prepared to present your essay to the class.
Quiz #3 at the end of the session.
Week Four – Investigating Crimes Against Property
Reading Assignment
Chapter 13: Burglary
Chapter 14: Larceny/Theft, Fraud, and White Collar Crime
Chapter 15: Motor Vehicle Theft
Chapter 16: Arson, Bombs, and Explosives
Writing Assignment #4
Do an Internet search on identity theft. Write an essay on identity theft using information in
articles you found from the search. Be prepared to present your essay to the class.
OR
Read Question B on page 503. In essay format, answer questions 1 through 4 on page 504. Be
prepared to present your essay to the class.
Quiz #4 at the end of the session.
Week Five – Other Challenges to the Criminal Investigation
Chapter 17: Computer Crime
Chapter 18: A Dual Threat: Drug-Related Crime and Organized Crime
Chapter 19: Criminal Activities of Gangs and Other Dangerous Groups
Chapter 20: Terrorism and Homeland Security
Chapter 21: Preparing for and Presenting Cases in Court
Writing Assignment #5
Read Application on Pages 585 and 586. In essay format, answer questions 1 through 6 on page
586. Be prepared to present your essay to the class.
OR
Do an Internet search on the USA Patriot Act (2001). In essay format, discuss specific
applications of the Act to law enforcement practices and explain how they might differ from
conventional practices. Include in your essay a discussion of the phrase “extraordinary times
demand extraordinary measures” and whether or not it justifies bending the rules in the war on
terrorism. In other words, do the ends justify the means? Should law enforcement be permitted to
use roving wiretaps and breach privileged inmate-attorney communications in the name of
national security, or is this the beginning of the end of our civil liberties? Be prepared to present
your essay to the class.
Quiz #5 at the end of the session.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Absences and Tardiness – All students are required to attend the first session. Those who do
not attend the first session will be automatically dropped from the course. Students with more
than one absence will receive an "F" for the course. Since this class meets only five times,
missing a single class meeting is equivalent to missing three weeks of a regular term. If you
cannot attend a class you must let the instructor know via email as soon as possible. In case of
absences you are responsible for obtaining all handouts and assignments. Tardiness may result in
a deduction in your class participation grade. Excessive tardiness may count as an absence.
Participation –Participation is not the same as attendance. Participation requires students to
come to class prepared to actively participate, which makes the classroom experience more
meaningful. However, participation is not just speaking out in class. The contributions made by
the student should be related to the course content and meaningful to the class discussion.
Late Assignments – Late assignments are NOT accepted unless under extreme emergency
situations.
Accommodation of Special Needs- Huntingdon College makes every reasonable
accommodation for disabilities that have been processed and approved through our Disability
Services Committee in accord with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990. In order to request disability-related services at Huntingdon College,
students must self-identify to the Disabilities Intake Coordinator, Camilla Irvin, and provide
appropriate and up-to-date documentation to verify their disability or special needs. After the
accommodations have been approved by the Disability Services Committee, the 504
Coordinator, Dr. Lisa Olenik Dorman, will notify your professor(s) of the committee’s decision.
If you have any questions regarding reasonable accommodation or need to request disabilityrelated services, please contact Disability Services at (334) 833-4577 or e-mail at
disabilityservices@huntingdon.edu.
Academic Honesty –Plagiarism is literary theft. Failure to cite the author of any language or of
any ideas which are not your own creation is plagiarism. This includes any text you might
paraphrase, as well. Anyone is capable of searching the Internet or any printed media; your
research paper is intended to broaden your knowledge, stimulate your creativity, and make you
think, analyze, and learn. It is not consistent with the College Honor Code, nor with scholarly
expectations to submit work which is not the product of your own thinking and research. Severe
penalties will result upon the submission of any work found to be plagiarized, including potential
failure of the entire course. It is easy and simple to properly cite all sources used in your paper.
Take no risks – cite your sources.