Syllabus: CRJ104

Dr. Baker

Great BasinCollege

Course Syllabus

CRJ164: Principles of Investigation3 Semester Credits

No PrerequisitesSection Y19Spring 2006

Meeting Time:Independent Study

Meeting Location:WebCT, Telephone

Instructor:Stephen A. Baker, Ph.D., 775-753-2348 or e-mail via WebCT

Office Hours:M-W 11:00—12:00; T 2:00—4:00; R 2:00—3:00,or by appointment

Catalog Description: Fundamentals of investigation, crime scene search and recording, collection and preservation of physical evidence, scientific aids, sources of information, case preparation, interviews and interrogations, and follow-up.

Required Textbook: Bennett, W. W. & Hess, K. M. (2004). Criminal Investigation,7thedition, Wadsworth: Belmont, CA.

Attendance Policy: Each student is entitled to three hours excused absence per the GBC catalog, as noted on page 49, or the instructor may drop a student.

Grading Policy: Grading is based on a point system, as outlined below:

Section Exams300 points540-600 points(90%+)A

Final Exam100 points480-539 points(80-89%)B

Written Assignments100 points420-479 points(70-79%)C

Project100 points360-419 points(60-69%)D

Total600 points1359 points or less(0-59%)F

1Total points may be adjusted based on the total sum of assignments as determined by the instructor.

Course Requirements: Students are responsible for reading assigned chapters. Additionally, students should be prepared to discuss text material with the instructor or other students, as well as relevant newsworthy information when called upon. Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions and activities. Contributions to the class are directly proportional to the quality and quantity of knowledge gained. Class participation will be evaluated and incorporated into the final grade. Participation credit can help a student if he/she is within a point or two of the next highest grade by pushing the student up to the higher grade. Students can earn participation credit if they contribute to class discussions, share relevant experiences, demonstrate familiarity with the assigned reading, share news articles, and actively participate in class activities.

*ALL PAGERS AND CELL PHONES MUST BE TURNED OFF DURING CLASS.*

Course Assessment:

Course Objective / Student Outcomes / Measurement
Communicate clearly and effectively in written and oral forms, i.e. discussion, reading, listening. /
  • Define the viewpoints
  • Define the basic terminologyused in criminal justice
/
  • Class discussion review
  • Quizzes and/or exams
  • Written assignments

Describe the methods used by investigators to locate and identify evidence, to document the scene of a crime, and to conduct crime scene searches. To be familiar with the types of forensic evidence and their value in an investigation. /
  • Know the various types of crime scene search patterns
  • Know the methods of collecting evidence and how to document where and how evidence is found
/
  • Quizzes and/or exams
  • Class discussion review
  • Written assignments

Understand the types of person’s crimes and property crimes and how each investigation should be conducted. /
  • Know the difference between interview and interrogation techniques
  • Know the elements of person’s and property crimes
/
  • Quizzes and/or exams
  • Class discussion review

Recognize the challenges to the investigator posed by various types of crime activity. Know how to prepare a crime report and how to testify in court. /
  • Know the proper way to document the information obtained during an investigation
  • Understand the role of the investigator in presenting evidence in a courtroom during direct and cross-examination
/
  • Written assignments
  • Quizzes and/or exams
  • Class discussion review
  • Class demonstrations

Define the terms used in investigations and recognize the techniques used to investigate crime. /
  • Compare the similarities and differences between investigations of crimes
  • Explain arrest methods
  • Relate crime to personal experience
/
  • Demonstrations, assigned readings
  • Class discussion review
  • Internet research

Exams: Exams may employ multiple choice, true-false, matching, fill-in-the-blank, or essay style questions. Exams will not be cumulative. Exams will be based on the material presented since the preceding exam. Generally, there will be no make-up exams. There are no make-ups for the final exam except under extreme emergency situations approved ahead of time.

Discussion Questions: Students will be required to answer selected discussion questions at the end of each chapter.

Assignments: Students will be required to participate in practical exercises conducted during the course of the semester in conjunction with assigned reading. Each assignment will be graded and the scores will accumulate for a final written assignment grade. Assignments could require that the student prepare a written police report, a sketch of a crime scene, a position paper on a topic, etc.

Class Project: The student will submit an idea for a project to the instructor for approval. The project may involve working with an investigative agency or observing them work. A written overview of the project with the students observations and evaluation shall be submitted for a grade.

General instructions for written assignments: Please check out the section entitled “Writing Samples” on the WebCT site.

Current Issues: Each student is encouraged to read newspapers or via the Web for topics of interest and current issues that are related to the study of criminal justice. Students are asked to bring articles to class so that they may be discussed.

Note: The course content and following schedule may be changed to meet the needs of the class or at the discretion of the instructor.

Course and Reading Schedule:

Block 1Introduction & Basic Investigative Responsibilities

  • Introductions, Course Overview
  • Chapter 1—Criminal Investigation: An Overview
  • Chapter 2—Documenting the Scene: Note Taking, Photographing and Sketching
  • Chapter 3—Searches
  • Chapter 4—Forensics/Physical Evidence
  • Chapter 5—Obtaining Information
  • Chapter 6—Identifying and Arresting Suspects

Block 2Investigating Violent Crimes

  • Chapter 7—Death Investigations
  • Chapter 8—Assault, Domestic Violence, Stalking and Elder Abuse
  • Chapter 9—Sex Offenses
  • Chapter 10—Crimes Against Children
  • Chapter 11--Robbery

Block 3Investigating Crimes Against Property

  • Chapter 12—Burglary
  • Chapter 13—Larceny/Theft, Fraud, White-Collar Crime and Environmental Crime
  • Chapter 14—Motor Vehicle Theft
  • Chapter 15—Arson, Bombs and Explosives

Block 4Other Challenges to the Criminal Investigator

  • Chapter 16—Computer Crime
  • Chapter 17—Organized Crime, Bias/Hate Crime and Ritualistic Crime
  • Chapter 18—Gang-Related Crime
  • Chapter 19—Illegal Drugs and Terrorism
  • Chapter 20—Writing Reports, Preparing for and Presenting Cases in Court

Exam Schedule:

Block 1—February Exam 1

Block 2—MarchExam 2

Block 3—AprilExam 3

Block 4—May Final Exam—Date/time to be announced

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Syllabus: CRJ104

Dr. Baker

Great BasinCollege

General Policies

The Americans with Disabilities Act

The instructor is willing to make reasonable accommodations for limitations due to any disability, including learning disabilities. Please see me before or after class to discuss any special needs you may have. Please see information posted on page 33 of the GBC catalog.

Sexual Harassment Policy

The policy of GBC is to provide an educational, employment, and business environment free of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal and/or physical conduct or communications constituting sexual harassment, as defined and otherwise prohibited by State and Federal law. Sexual harassment by and between: employees, students, employees and students, and campus visitors and students or employees, is prohibited by this policy. Please review the information provided by the GBC catalog on page 31.

Academic Honesty

All students assume, as part of their obligation to the college, the responsibility to exhibit in their academic performance, qualities of honesty and integrity. All forms of student dishonesty are subject to disciplinary action. Students are strongly encouraged to do their own work and give full credit to the work of those they incorporate into any submitted assignments. To do otherwise is plagiarism.

Educational Environment Conduct

Consistent with a collegiate environment of educational study, students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner appropriate for an institution of higher learning. The disruption or obstruction of teaching will not be tolerated. Students are expected to be respectful and tolerant of diverse opinions/ideas even if they do not agree with them.

The discussion of criminal justice issues often requires a “real world” look at topics and pertinent issues. Students should be aware that this course might generate discussions, use videos, and have guest speakers, etc., which portray a graphic and honest look at deviant behavior and crime. If you are easily offended, please let the instructor know so that you may be excused from participation in such issues.

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