AJ005 Online Syllabus

AJ005 Online
Criminal Investigation
Course Syllabus

Instructor	: Jim Smith
Telephone	: 408 741-2553
Email	: jim_smith@westvalley.edu
Website	: http://instruct.westvalley.edu/smith
Required Text	: Criminal Investigation by Swanson (Tenth Edition). McGraw Hill Publishers.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

	Fundamentals of investigation, crime scene search and recording, preliminary investigation of physical evidence, modus operandi, sources of information, interviews and interrogation, follow-up investigations.

COURSE GOALS:

To provide the student with the knowledge of why crime is investigated and the results that are desired.
To develop in the student the knowledge necessary to prepare a case for court from the initial investigation to the trial.
To equip the student with elementary interviewing and interrogation skills as swell as learning the legal requirements of confessions, admissions and statements.
To teach the student the necessary steps and procedures as well as peculiarities in investigation of major crimes with emphasis on the crime of homicide.
To provide the student with the types of investigative aids that are available such as records, computerized files, computer fingerprint files, and how to use these systems.
To equip the student with the fundamentals of crime scene investigation, preservation of evidence, and courtroom presentation of the completed investigation.

GENERAL PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:

	When presented with the basic techniques of note taking, the student will be able to satisfactorily analyze and compile data for sue in formal reporting of investigations. Given case studies, the student will demonstrate basic investigative proficiencies, to the satisfaction of the instructor, by synthesizing a situation and reducing the crime to reportable elements. The student will demonstrate the basic steps of interviewing using non-verbal observation and communication skills while conducting a satisfactory interview. In assigned exercises, the student will satisfactorily apply basic English rules to good reporting structures; to describe and identify evidentiary items in proper format.

EVALUATION METHODOLOGY:

	1. Written Examinations			Point Value

	A. Syllabus Quiz			20

	B. Autobiography Posting (including two replies to other postings)			20

	C. Thirteen Weekly Lesson Quizzes (Handouts/PowerPoint/Text)

	Lesson 1
	Chapter 1 The Evolution of Criminal Investigation and Criminalistics			20

	Lesson 2
	Chapter 2 Legal Aspects of Investigation			20
	Chapter 3 Investigators, the Investigation Process, and the Crime Scene

	Lesson 3
	Chapter 4 Physical Evidence			20

	Lesson 4
	Chapter 5 Interviewing and Interrogation			20
	Chapter 6 Field Notes and Reporting

	Lesson 5
	Chapter 7 The Follow Up Investigation and Investigative Resources			20
	Chapter 8 The Crime Lab and Crime Scene Reconstruction

	Lesson 6
	Chapter 9 Injury and Death Investigation			20

	Lesson 7
	Chapter 10 Sex Related Offenses			20
	Chapter 11 Crimes against Children

	Lesson 8
	Chapter 12 Robbery			20

	Lesson 9
	Chapter 13 Burglary			20

	Lesson 10
	Chapter 14 White-Collar Crime and Larceny			20
	Chapter 15 Vehicle Thefts and Related Offenses

	Lesson 11
	Chapter 16 Computer Crime			20
	Chapter 17 Agricultural, Wildlife, and Environmental Crimes

	Lesson 12
	Chapter 18 Arson and Explosives			20

	Lesson 13
	Chapter 21 The Trial Process and the Investigator as a Witness			20


	D. Final Examination (Comprehensive)			100
	All final questions will be taken from the chapter quiz questions.

	2. Homework
	A. 13 Weekly Lesson Assignments @ 25 Points Each			325

	Total Points Possible			725

	3. Grading Evaluation (Final Grade)
	653 - 725 = A	581 - 652 = B	509 - 580 = C
	437 - 508 = D	000 - 507 = F


	Items of Interest

	Absolutely no homework or assignments will be accepted during the week of the final exam (summer or condensed classes excepted). This may not be the same week as the classroom schedule, it is the week when the final is posted for this online class. The last week of this course usually ends earlier than the regular classroom schedule (summer or condensed classes excepted). This allows time to trouble shoot any possible technical problems that may occur prior to the submission of final grades. You must complete and submit the final exam before the deadline. I can't stress enough that you must follow the class calendar of due dates. Past students that didn't read the syllabus, this notice, or just forgot, were very disappointed when they learned they missed the final and had to settle for a lower grade than they could have earned. There is a link to the class calendar in the Assignments menu of the class. The college policy on plagiarism and classroom dishonesty is strictly enforced in this class. If you submit work that is not your own, you will be dropped from the class. The instructor may make changes to the syllabus during the semester. It is your responsibility to stay informed of these changes. You must check the class website at least once weekly for emails, postings from the instructor and upcoming assignment due dates! There will be no extra credit. Please do not inquire. All students will be assessed equally based upon the established course requirements.