Criminal Investigation
Semester Hours Credit: 3
Lecture Hours: 48
Location: Vicenza Ed Center
Course Dates/Days/Times: 19 Jan -11 Mar 2015,
Mondays and Wednesdays, 1730-2030
Instructor: Terry M. Cramer, M.A.
Office Hours: M-F, 1700-1730
Instructor Email:
Phone: DSN 634-8153
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Terry Cramer, like many people, is fascinated by everything related to the Criminal Justice System. She earned her Associate’s degree in Administration of Justice from Portland Community College (Oregon), her BA in Criminology from Southern Oregon State College in 1978 and her MA in Conflict Resolution & Organizational Consulting from Antioch University Seattle in 1988. She worked in the criminal justice field for 7 years in Oregon and Alaska. She has taught courses in Conflict Resolution at Antioch University Seattle and was a law enforcement instructor for Central Texas College from 1991 to 1998. She taught for the University of Maryland European Division from 1998 to 2003 and has again been teaching for Central Texas College since 2003. In addition, she is the Area Manager for CTC’s Mediterranean/UK Region and the CTC Europe Campus Criminal Justice Program Manager.
I. INTRODUCTION
A. This course will provide the student a study of investigative theory, the collection and preservation of evidence, sources of information, concepts of interviewing and interrogation, the use of forensic sciences, and case and trial preparation.
B. This course is not chronologically dependent upon other Law Enforcement courses. It is a required course for the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice degree program.
C. This course is occupationally related and serves in preparation for careers in law enforcement, criminal justice, and corrections.
D. Prerequisite(s): (None)
II. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, Criminal Investigation, the student will be able to:
A. Define the goals and objectives of criminal investigation.
B. Demonstrate ability to conduct proper crime scene investigations.
C. Illustrate the use of forensic science for various statutory offenses.
D. Organize the criminal case including field notes, reports, crime scene activities, and other mandatory documentation.
III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A. The instructional materials identified for this course are viewable through
http://www.ctcd.edu/im/im_main.asp
Criminal Investigation, Orthmann & Hess, 10th Ed, Cengage Learning, 2013, ISBN: 9781305002340.
B. References:
1. Ferdico, John N, Henry F. Fradella, Christopher D. Totten, Criminal Procedure, 11th Ed, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2013.
2. Bohm, Robert M. and Keith N. Haley, Introduction to Criminal Justice, McGraw-Hill, 2010.
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A. Your first responsibility is scholarship. The grade you receive for this course will not be the grade of the instructor, but rather the grade you and you alone make.
B. You should attend class regularly and be prepared to participate in classroom discussions and to take unannounced quizzes relating to text assignments and lecture material presented from the beginning of the course. Please refer to ‘Class Attendance and Course Progress’ under the Academic Policies section in our current CTC Course Catalog: http://www.ctcd.edu/academics/catalogs/catalog-continental-international/academic-policies/.
C. You are encouraged to give your best effort throughout the course. From the beginning, you should plan for a steady, organized, and continuous effort, which in the long run will prove more effective for your final grade than a last minute crash-cram policy. Your course grade is not determined solely by exam grade. Such factors as class participation, initiative, attendance, and individual research papers will be considered in grade computation.
D. From time to time, special library and/or outside assignments will be made to members of the class individually and/or in groups. You are expected to read all assignments and fulfill your responsibilities to any group assignment.
E. You are expected to read all assigned material and bring your textbook to class. Keep informed on all assignments, especially after an absence.
F. Good class notes are indispensable for earning a good grade, since both the material assigned and that discussed in class will be the basis for examination material.
G. Scholastic Honesty: All students are required and expected to maintain the highest standards of scholastic honesty in the preparation of all coursework and during examinations. The following are considered examples of scholastic dishonesty:
Plagiarism: The taking of passages from the writing of others without giving proper credit to the sources.
Collusion: Using another’s work as one’s own, or working together with another person in the preparation of work, unless such joint preparation is specifically approved in advance by the instructor.
Cheating: Giving or receiving information on examinations.
H. Special Work: A term paper or other project, per requirements of the instructor, will be required. The subject must be appropriate for the course material. Check with the instructor when you have made a selection. The value is indicated in the semester grade computation and has considerable weight on your final average.
V. EXAMINATIONS
A. There will be a minimum of two major examinations and a written paper or project as follows:
1. Mid-term exam on 18 February
2. Final exam on 11 March
3. CSI Report due on 11 March
B. A student must be present for all examinations. Students who know in advance that they will be absent from an examination due to valid reasons must arrange to take an early examination. Unexpected absences due to illness or extenuating circumstances will require the student to see the instructor about individual make-up work.
C. Students without excused absences will be given a zero for the missed examination.
D. Examinations will consist of both objective (true/false, multiple choice, fill in-the-blank, and matching) and subjective (short answer and essay) questions. Students majoring in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement must be able to communicate both orally and in written form, thus some questions requiring the composition and writing of an essay answer will be required.
VI. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
The final grade in this course will be based on the following:
Quizzes, attendance & in-class participation 50 points
Practical CSI Exercise & Report 150 points
Mid-term exam 100 points
Final exam 100 points
Total possible points: 400
POINTS GRADES
360-400 = A
320-359 = B
280-319 = C
240-279 = D
less than 240 = F
VII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM COURSE INSTRUCTOR
A. Tuition refunds are made only in the case of class cancellation or official and timely withdrawal from CTC or from a course. Please refer to the current course catalog for more details, at http://europe.ctcd.edu/library/catalog.php.
B. GoArmyEd students should contact their education counselor before withdrawing and are required to withdraw through the GoArmyEd portal.
Please note: a military withdrawal does not override CTC’s grading policy. For self-pay students, refunds are computed from the date the Application for Withdrawal or Refund is filed with the CTC Field Representative or designated Student Services Officer. Special conditions apply to students who receive federal, state, and/or institutional financial aid.
Tuition and fees paid directly to the Institution by the Veterans Administration, Title IV (Financial Aid Programs, a sponsor, donor, or scholarship shall be refunded to the source rather than directly to the students.
C. Course Withdrawals, Student Responsibilities: It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course. The instructor cannot initiate a withdrawal based upon a student’s request. Rather, students must initiate the withdrawal with the designated Education Center Representative, through the CTC Field Representative or the Student Services Officer for that region.
Applications for Withdrawal will be accepted at any time before the completion of 75% of the course, after which time the student will be assigned an “FN”- “Failure for Non-attendance.”
D. Incomplete / Course in Progress Grade Policy: An “IP” or “Incomplete” grade may be assigned by an instructor if a student has made satisfactory progress in a course with the exception of a major quiz, final exam, or other project. The “IP” grade may also be assigned based on circumstances beyond a student’s control, such as personal illness, death in the immediate family, or military orders. Notice of absences, with supporting documentation, may be required by the instructor. The instructor makes the final decision concerning the granting of the incomplete grade. With an “Incomplete” grade, students are required to complete a set amount of work before the instructor will submit an official letter grade.
E. Cellular phones, beepers, and other electronic devices will be turned off while the student is in the classroom or laboratory unless the student is using the device for class purposes. No texting or social networking is allowed during class.
F. Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course requirements.
G. Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive educational experience is and respectful of those participating in a learning environment. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
VIII. COURSE OUTLINE
Note:
The instructor has the right to change the course schedule. Any changes will be announced in class. If the student misses a class period and changes are announced, it is the student’s responsibility to receive the missed information from a classmate or the instructor.
A. Unit One: Course Introduction, Chapter 1: Criminal Investigation: An Overview (21 & 26 January)
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Understand the myths of crime solving and the criminal investigation process.
b. Explain the ways in which our English roots have influenced current methods of criminal investigation.
c. Understand the modern developments in science and crime detection.
d. Consider recent research in criminal investigation.
e. Compare and contrast deductive and inductive reasoning.
f. Understand the various types of investigations, investigators, and modes of investigation.
g. Explain the role of the patrol officer in the preliminary investigation.
h. Understand the stage of the preliminary investigation and the role of the first officer.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Discuss course requirements and activities as contained in the syllabus
b. Classroom lecture/discussion
c. Reading Assignment: Chapter 1
d. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
B. Unit Two: Chapter 2, Documenting the Crime Scene: Note Taking, Photographing and Sketching (28 January & 2 Feb)
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Explain the ways that field notes can be used to assist the investigator in the preparation of his or her report.
b. Understand the admissibility of notes in court
c. Explain the proper methods of crime scene photography and preservation of photographic evidence.
d. Understand how to properly capture the crime scene on digital video.
e. Understand the usefulness of the rough and final crime scene sketch.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 2
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
C. Unit Three: Chapter 4, Searches (4 & 9 February)
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Discuss relevant U.S. Supreme Court precedents relating to police searches.
b. Understand and be able to apply the Exclusionary Rule to specific cases.
c. Understand the requirements of warrantless searches.
d. Explain how to properly structure a search warrant.
e. Describe the various methods of executing a search warrant.
f. Understand various types of crime scene searches.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 4
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
D. Unit Four: Chapter 5, Forensics/Physical Evidence (11 February)
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Explain the importance of marking and preserving physical evidence.
b. Understand the fundamentals of fingerprint science.
c. Identify the different types of fingerprint patterns.
d. Comprehend the various techniques of developing fingerprints.
e. Understand the significance of DNA analysis in the criminal investigation process.
f. Understand the importance of handwriting analysis in suspect development.
g. Understand other types of evidence
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 5
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
E. Unit Five: Virtual Class (16 February) Ch 5, present article from web on related topic, car searches, Forensics videos, Mid-term Review.
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Practical application of laws related to police searches.
b. Case law on police searches.
c. Practical application/understanding evidence collection.
d. Practical application/understanding print collection.
2. Learning Activities:
a. View videos
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 5
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
F. Unit Six: Review for Midterm and Mid-term Exam (February 18), Begin Ch 6
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
c. Review & /Midterm
G. Unit Seven: Chapter 6, Obtaining Information and Intelligence (February 23)
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will:
a. Understand all aspects of interviewing and interrogating.
b. Understand and be able to apply the Miranda warning.
c. Discuss exceptions to the Miranda rule.
d. Understand the concept of cognitive interviewing.
e. Understand the limitations of eyewitness reports.
2. Unit Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 6
c. Homework and other assignments designated by the instructor
H. Unit Eight: Chapter 3, Writing Effective Reports & Chapter 7, Identifying and Arresting Suspects (February 25)
a. Understand the importance and uses of reports.
b. Describe the common problems with police reports.
c. Be able to write a clear, coherent report.
d. Understand methods of identifying suspects.
e. Understand the purposes and types of surveillance.
f. Describe legal limitations in undercover assignments.
g. Learn the legalities of police line-ups in suspect identification.
h. Understand reasonable force in effecting an arrest.
i. Define the term arrest and how it differs from detention.
2. Unit Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Reading assignment: Chapter 3 & Chapter 7