CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

AJ005

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

INSTRUCTOR

:

Jim Smith

TELEPHONE

:

(408) 741-2553 (Voice Mail)

E-MAIL

:

jim_smith@westvalley.edu

WEB SITE

:

http://instruct.westvalley.edu/smith

 

 

 

TEXT

:

No text required for this class.

SUPPLIES

:

A pocket notebook is required. Available for purchase at the WVC bookstore.

 

 

 

 

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 well 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 tuse 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 use 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 a proper format.

 

EVALUATION METHODOLOGY:

 

 

1.      Written Examinations

 

 

A.  Four Tests

(Handouts / Lecture / Videos)

Point Value

 

 

 

 

 

Test 1

 

50

 

Test 2

 

50

 

Test 3

 

50

 

Test 4

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

B.  Final

(Comprehensive)

100

 

 

 

 

 

1.  Lecture / Videos / Handouts

 

 

2.  Guest Speakers / Facility Tours

 

 

 

2.      Active Participation in Class Activities

 

 

A.  Mandatory Classroom Assignments

 

1.  Field Interview Exercise

25

      2.  Fingerprint Cards (2 required)

50

3.  Latent Fingerprint Cards (2 required)

50

      4.  Interview / Interrogation Exercise

25

5.  In class exercises on lecture material

           (must be completed during class period assigned)

50

 

 

      Total Points Possible

500

 

(Excluding Extra Credit)

 

 

 

3.      Extra Credit Opportunities

 

 

A.  Tire or Footprint Impression Cast

25

 

      B.  An individual or partner presentation on a successful homicide investigation.  (See instructor for details)

50

 

 

4.      Grading Evaluation               (Final Grade)

 

 

450 – 500 = A

400 – 449 = B

 

350 – 399 = C

300 – 349 = D

000 – 299 = F

 

 

 

5.      Attendance Policy

 

 

Regular attendance is required.  Poor attendance will directly affect your grade.

In-class exercises can only be turned during the assigned class period

 

 

Do not sign the roll for another student or ask another student to sign for you.

Cheating is always grounds for academic dismissal.  Refer to West Valley College

Policy on student conduct for further details.

 

CLASSROOM CONDUCT:

 

 

·        Come to class on time, prepared, supplied with paper, pens, and your notebook.  If it should be necessary to arrive late or to leave early, do so as unobtrusively as possible: e.g., sit near the door, open and close book quietly, etc.  If you arrive late, inform the instructor at the close of class for attendance credit.

 

·        Be a professional student.  Do not show contempt for the class by using the time to visit with friends, do homework for other classes or engage in discourteous or disruptive behavior.

·        Turn off or have all cell phones and beepers on silent mode.

 

 

HOMEWORK POLICY:

 

 

·        Homework is due on the assigned due date.  Late homework will be accepted up to one week from the due date.  Late credit is 50% or the original assigned value.  No homework or extra credit will be accepted during final week.

 

·        Instruction of missed classroom assignments will not be repeated on an individual basis.  You may make up a missed assignment with the assistance of a fellow student.