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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRJ-111 Bergen Community College Division of Social Science, Business and Public Service Department of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security Course Designation, Number, and Title Date of Most Recent Syllabus Revision: September 21, 2010 Course Typically Offered: Fall____ Spring____ Summer____ Every Semester____ Other_________________ Syllabus last reviewed by: BCC General Education Committee ____ Date:____________ (Most courses need review Ad Hoc Committee on Learning Assessment ____ Date:____________ by only one of the following) Curriculum Committee: ____ Date:____________ A syllabus for this course must include as much of the followi ng information as is applicable. It is understood that syllabi will vary considerably from department to department, program to program, and discipline to discipline, contingent upon departmental, program, and discipline policies and practices. In adopting these guidelines, there is no intention to impose a "one size fits all" syllabus or course outline format on departments, programs, and disciplines. Basic Information About Course and Instructor Semester and Year: Course and Section Number: CRJ 111 Meeting Times and Locations: Instructor: Office Location: Paramus Phone: (201) 493-4095 Departmental Secretary: Marguerite MacDonald Office Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM Email Address: Course Description: Criminal Investigations analyzes the essential elements of investigation as a science of inquiry with an emphasis on the legal significance of evidence. Methods of searching for, collecting, preserving, and evaluating physical evidence and the techniques for locating and interviewing witnesses are explored. Organizational investigative functions and the development of an understanding of the crime laboratory and its role in a criminal investigation are also discussed. Student Learning Objectives: As a result of meeting the requirements in this course, students will be able to 1. To develop a general understanding of the science of inquiry relevant to criminal investigation. 2. To develop the basic concepts of criminal investigation. 3. To define what is meant by a complete investigation with emphasis on crime scene activities. 4. To emphasize the legal significance or physical evidence. 5. To explore the proofs of the most important crimes. 6. To develop an appreciation of the potentialities of scientific crime detection and suggest how to explore these potentialities. 7. To emphasize the technical services available to the criminal investigator. 8. To analyze the investigative function from the standpoint of organizational aspects OUTCOMES: 1. State the objectives of a Criminal Investigation. 2. Define preliminary and follow-up investigation and identify the major steps in each. 3. Describe the organization of the crime scene investigation. 4. Identify the typical crime scene problems. 5. Identify the three types of evidence and their utility. 6. Define “chain” of custody. 7. Distinguish between class and individual characteristic evidence. 8. Identify and compare the relative nature of physical evidence. 9. Define key terms and concepts related to field notes and reporting. 10. Describe the pre-interrogation and in-custody legal requirements. 11. Define “criminalistics” and the primary functions of a crime laboratory. 12. Discuss the psychological assessment of a crime scene. 13. Identify the steps for the investigative flow charts for the major crime. 14. Describe the elements of a search and arrest warrants. 15. Identify the major characteristics of a good witness. Means of Assessment: List means of assessment of student learning in pursuit of goals/objectives/outcomes (e.g., graded class discussions, objective tests and examinations, essay tests and examinations, student presentations in class (individual or group), writing assignments [papers, short essays, book reports, etc.]) Course Content: I. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION A. Nature of Investigation B. Phases of Investigation: Preliminary and Continuing Investigations C. Criminal Justice System D. Organizational Aspects II. LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE OF EVIDENCE A. Nature of Evidence B. Classification and Definitions C. Admissibility of Evidence D. Doctrine of Reasonable Doubt E. Proof and the Triers of Fact III. CRIME SCENE SEARCH A. Preliminary Activities B. The Theory of Transfer C. Assignment of Duties D. Field Notes E. The Survey F. The Search G. Mechanics of Search H. Precautions I. Evaluation J. Reconstructing Crime K. Equipment IV. PHOTOGRAPHING CRIME SCENE A. Evidence Rules Relating to Photos B. Photographing Crime Scene C. Selection of Point of Views D. Types E. Field Notes V. CRIME SCENE SKETCH A. General Considerations B. Elements of Sketching C. Projections D. Survey Methods E. Field Notes VI. CARE OF EVIDENCE A. Evidence Kit B. Evaluation of Physical Evidence C. Procedures D. Chain of Custody E. Protection F. Preservation G. Collection H. Identification I. Transmission VII. OBTAINING INFORMATION A. Basic Investigative Leads B. Interviews C. Interrogation D. Admissions, Confessions and Written Statements E. Informants F. Tracing and Sources of Information G. Missing Persons H. Surveillances I. Undercover Assignments J. Modus Operandi K. Field Contact Reports VIII. LABORATORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES A. Physical Evidence B. Laboratory Determination C. Medicolegal Services D. Expert Testimony E. Laboratory Equipment F. Voiceprint Identification G. Neutro Activation Analysis IX. INVESTIGATING CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS A. Homicide B. Sex Offenses C. Domestic Violence D. Crimes Against Children E. Robbery F. Assault X. INVESTIGATING CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY A. Burglary B. Larceny/Theft, Fraud and White-Collar Crime C. Computer Related Crime D. Motor Vehicle Theft and Related Offenses E. Arson XI. INVESTIGATING OTHER CRIMES A. Organized Crime - Agricultural, Wildlife and Environmental Crimes B. Drug Abuse C. Gangs and Cults D. Hate Crimes XII. IDENTIFICATION AND REPRODUCTION A. Observation and Description B. Identification by Witnesses C. Fingerprints D. Laundry and Dry Cleaner Marks E. Jewelry Marks F. Casting and Molding G. Various Impressions XIII. IDENTIFICATION AND ARRESTING SUSPECTS A. Legal Arrests B. Field Interrogations C. Developing a Suspect D. Locating Suspects E. Identifying Suspects F. Technological Advances XIV. SURVEILLANCES, UNDERCOVER ASSIGNMENTS AND RAIDS A. Surveillance B. Audio Surveillance C. Undercover Assignments D. Raids XV. SPECIALIZED-SCIENTIFIC METHODS A. Blood and other Biological Evidence B. Stains, Traces and Chemical Analysis C. Tracing Materials and Detective Dyes D. Hair and Fibers E. Invisible Radiation F. Documentary Evidence XVI. DECISION TO INTIATE THE CRIMINAL PROCESS A. Arrest Defined B. Elements C. Arrest vs. Detention D. Arrest Detention E. Arrest Procedures F. Arrest Warrant G. Probable Cause Requirement XVII. RULES OF EVIDENCE A. Evidentiary Concepts B. Judicial Notice C. Types of Evidence D. The Hearsay Rule E. Evidentiary Privileges F. Witnesses XVIII. INVESTIGATOR AS A WITNESS A. Investigator’s Role B. Credibility C. Understanding the Jury D. Appearance and Demeanor E. Trial Process F. Answering Questions G. Cross-Examination H. Use of Notes XIX. CASE PREPARATION A. Identity of the Defendant B. The Corpus Delicti C. Arranging Evidence D. The Investigator as a Witness E. The Case Folder F. Decision to Charge G. Closing an Investigation Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials: Critical Issues in Policing, Dunham & Alpert. Suggested Texts: Research, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s) List/describe/comment on course research/writing/presentation/examination requirements. State departmental policies on research, writing, presentation, and/or examination assignments [optional]. Include policy statements on student group work (if relevant). The Police and the Community, Radelit & Carter. Critical Issues in Law Enforcement, Moore. Policing Urban America, Alpert & Dunham. The Police and Society, Johnson, Misnes & Brown. Grading Policy: In determining a student’s grade a number of grading mechanisms are to be used. Essay type questions, classroom participation and a written class project are to be employed to enable students to develop skills of logical thinking and presentation as well as skills of critical analysis. Attendance Policy: BCC Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the instructor for each section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual course outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling purposes. TEXTBOOKS: SUGGESTED TEXTS: BIBLIOGRAPHY: Criminal Investigation, Swanson, Chamelin & Territo. Criminal Investigation, Bennett & Hess. Criminal Investigation, Weston & Wells. Criminal Investigation, Kirk. Forensic Science, Peterson. Elements of Criminal Investigation, Weston & Wells. Techniques of Crime Science Investigation, Suensson & Wendell. The Criminal Investigation Process, Greenwood, Chaiken & Peterssilia. Forensic Science Handbook, Safferstein. Handbook of Forensic Science, Smith. Fact Investigation, Binder & Bergman. Criminal Investigation Basic Procedures, IACP. Criminal Investigation Specific Offenses, IACP. Legal Aspects of Evidence, Hanley & Schmidt. Criminal Evidence, Imwinkelried, Grannelli, Gilligan and Lederer. Crime Scene Investigation, Goddard. The Crime Laboratory, Osterburg. Criminalistics for the Investigator, DeAngeles.