PAPER WEEK 3
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CRJ 320 – Criminal Investigation |
(Prerequisite: CRJ 105)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course introduces students to the fundamentals of criminal investigation by examining processes involved in identifying and arresting criminal suspects, identifying types of crimes and offenses, and in preparing for the in-court presentation of evidence through testimony. In addition, techniques and preservation for evidence collection and examination are discussed. Developing “high technologies” useful to the criminal investigator are explored.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Required Resources
Cho, H.L., Hess, K. M., & Orthmann, C. H. (2017). Criminal investigation (11th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.
Microsoft PowerPoint (2016 version or newer)
Supplemental Resources
Giacalonoe, J. (2017). The Criminal Investigative Function: A Guide for New Investigators (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Looseleaf Law Publications, Inc.
Lushbaugh, C., & Weston, P. (2015). Criminal Investigation: Basic Perspectives (13th ed.). Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Lyman, M. (2016). Criminal Investigation: The Art and the Science (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Describe the major components of and responsiblities involved in the investigative process.
2. Recommend improvements to the criminal investigation process in selected areas.
3. Describe the procedures for the preparation of field notes and the documentation of a crime scene.
4. Evaluate the importance of search and seizure, processing the crime scene, collecting evidence, the criminal intelligence function, and the use of information resources in the investigative process.
5. Analyze the process of undercover and surveillance operations.
6. Analyze the procedures involved in making an arrest, conducting interviews and interrogations, and the importance of the accurate identification of suspects.
7. Recommend effective ways to apply the investigative process to violent crimes.
8. Describe effective ways to apply the investigative process to property crimes and financial crimes.
9. Describe effective ways to apply the investigative process to drug offenses, organized crime, and other dangerous groups.
10. Explore the nature and investigative processes of investigating terrorism.
11. Predict changes that will take place in criminal investigation in the next twenty (20) years.
12. Describe effective ways to apply the investigative process to cybercrime.
14. Use technology and information resources to conduct research in the criminal investigation process.
15. Write clearly and concisely about the criminal investigation process using proper writing mechanics.
WEEKLY COURSE SCHEDULE
The standard requirement for a 4.5 credit hour course is for students to spend 13.5 hours in weekly work. This includes preparation, activities, and evaluation regardless of delivery mode.
|
Week |
Preparation, Activities, and Evaluation |
Points |
|
1 |
Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 1: Criminal Investigation: An Overview · e-Activity · Use the Internet or the Strayer University Online Library (https://research.strayer.edu) to research articles on the criminal investigative process (e.g., initial report, initial investigation/police contact, incident review/case screening, follow up investigations, case preparation and approval, prosecution and charging of crime, and conclusion) conducted by a criminal investigator. Be prepared to discuss. Activities · Lecture(s) · Discussion Evaluation · None |
20
|
|
2 |
Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 2: Documenting the Crime Scene: Note Taking, Photographing, and Sketching · Chapter 3: Writing Effective Reports Activities · Lecture(s) · Discussion Evaluation · None |
20
|
|
3 |
Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 4: Searches · Chapter 5: Forensics / Physical Evidence · e-Activity · Use the Internet or the Strayer University Online Library (https://research.strayer.edu) to research articles on conducting the investigatory search, and take notes on goals of the search. Next, research the “elephant-in-a-matchbox” doctrine. Be prepared to discuss. Activities · Lecture(s) · Discussion Evaluation · Assignment 1: Crime Scene Investigation |
20
160 |
|
4 |
Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 6: Obtaining Information and Intelligence · Chapter 7: Identifying and Arresting Suspects · e-Activity · Use the Internet or the Strayer University Online Library (https://research.strayer.edu) to research articles on the Reid, Kinesic, and Peace Methods of interrogating suspects. Be prepared to discuss. Activities · Lecture(s) · Discussion Evaluation · Quiz 1: Chapters 1 through 5 |
20
60 |
|
5 |
Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 8: Death Investigations · Chapter 9: Assault, Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Elder Abuse Activities · Lecture(s) · Discussion Evaluation · None |
20
|
|
6 |
Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 10: Sex Offenses · Chapter 11: Crimes Against Children Activities · Lecture(s) · Discussion Evaluation · Quiz 2: Chapters 6 through 9 |
20
60 |
|
7 |
Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 12: Robbery · Chapter 13: Burglary · Chapter 14: Larceny / Theft, Fraud, and White-Collar Crime Activities · Lecture(s) · Discussion Evaluation · Assignment 2: Death Investigations |
20
200 |
|
8 |
Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 15: Motor Vehicle Theft · Chapter 16: Arson, Bombs, and Explosives · Chapter 18: A Dual Threat: Drug Related Crime and Organized Crime · e-Activities · Use the Internet or the Strayer University Online Library (https://research.strayer.edu) to research the opioid crisis in the U.S. Take notes on commonly abused drugs and the responses to the opioid crisis. Take notes on the criminal investigation process and be prepared to discuss. Next, use the Internet or the Strayer Library to research the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) article entitled “ODMAP: A Digital Tool to Track and Analyze Overdoses,” found at https://nij.gov/publications/Pages/notes-from-the-field-opioid-epidemic-beeson. Be prepared to discuss. Activities · Lecture(s) · Discussion Evaluation · Quiz 3: Chapters 10 through 14 |
20
60 |
|
9 |
Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 19: Criminal Activities of Gangs and Other Dangerous Groups · Chapter 20: Terrorism and Homeland Security · e-Activities · Use the Internet or the Strayer University Online Library (https://research.strayer.edu) to research articles within the last three years (3) on a criminal investigation of illegal gang activities within a city of your choice. Be prepared to discuss. Activities · Lecture(s) · Discussion Evaluation · None |
20
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|
10 |
Preparation · Reading(s) · Chapter 17: Computer Crime: Impact and Prevention · Chapter 21: Preparing for and Presenting a Case in Court · e-Activity · Use the Internet or the Strayer University Online Library (https://research.strayer.edu) to research a current activity, bulletin, and/or tips of your choice, from https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas (U.S.-CERT the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team) website. Be prepared to discuss. Activities · Lecture(s) · Discussion Evaluation · Assignment 3: The Big Stage! |
20
200 |
|
11 |
Preparation · Reading(s): None Activities · Lecture(s) · Discussion Evaluation · Quiz 4: Chapters 15 through 21 |
20
60 |
GRADING SCALE – UNDERGRADUATE
|
Assignment |
Total Points |
% of Grade |
|
4 Quizzes (open book with 2-hour time limit each quiz) (For Quiz 1–3, 20 questions each, worth 3 points apiece; for Quiz 4, 40 questions, worth 1.5 points apiece) |
240 |
24% |
|
Assignment 1: Crime Scene Investigation |
160 |
16% |
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Assignment 2: Death Investigations |
200 |
20% |
|
Assignment 3: The Big Stage! |
200 |
20% |
|
Participation (10 discussions worth 20 points apiece) Note: Week 11 discussion is not graded. |
200 |
20% |
|
Total |
1,000 |
100% |
|
Points |
Percentage |
Grade |
|
900 – 1,000 |
90% – 100% |
A |
|
800 – 899 |
80% – 89% |
B |
|
700 – 799 |
70% – 79% |
C |
|
600 – 699 |
60% – 69% |
D |
|
Below 600 |
Below 60% |
F |
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CRJ 320 Student Version 1192 (12-03-2018) Page 1 of 6