Discipline: Administration of Justice Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Administration of Justice 13


COURSE DESCRIPTION
13 Criminal Investigation Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
Fundamentals of investigation; crime scene search and recording; collection and preservation of physical evidence; scientific aids; modus operandi; sources of information; interviews and interrogation; follow-up and case preparation. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Introduction and fundamentals of basic crime scene search and recording, interviewing and interrogation.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of the
functions and fundamentals of crime scene investigation including:
various methods of crime scene investigation, the recognition and utility of various categories and types of evidence, and    
the collection and preservation of various types of evidence to
ensure maximum admissibility in a court of law.

Demonstrate a basic ability to develop and manage a criminal
case from inception to final adjudication in a court of law.

Demonstrate a basic knowledge of interviewing and interrogation
techniques.

Demonstrate written communication skills in an investigative team
exercise.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Introduction to the basic required elements of investigating a
    crime scene
    1. Securing the scene
    2. Search methods
  2. Basic required procedures of the collection and preservation of
    evidence
    1. Introduction to collection and handing of criminal evidence
    2. Types of criminal evidence
    3. Chain of custody
  3. Introduction to the impact of alcohol and alcohol related behaviors relating crime and its aftermath
    1. Alcohol and it’s relation to crime, accidents and endangerment to society
    2. Impacts of alcohol on society
  4. Introduction to the study of tool marks and impressions as related to crime scenes
    1. Marks and impressions relating to numerous types of
      criminal investigations
    2. Tire tread marks and impressions
  5. Introduction to the study of the science of projectiles
    1. Basic firearm introduction
    2. Introduction to shot patterns, striations and impressions
      relating to ballistics
  6. Basic required elements of fingerprints and the process of lifting
    them from a crime scene
    1. Types of fingerprint patterns
    2. Introduction to lifting and preservation of finger and palm prints
  7. Basic introduction to trace evidence and their value in a criminal
    investigation
    1. Introduction to hair, fibers, paint, soil and glass
  8. Introduction to basic interviewing and interrogation techniques
    1. Basic interviewing and interrogation skills and legal
      ramifications
  9. Introduction to the investigation of burglary and it’s elements
    1. Burglary tools and different types of burglary suspects
    2. Impressions
  10. Introduction to the elements of Homicide Investigation
    1. Introduction to death investigation
    2. Introduction to types of death and autopsy procedures
    3. Introduction to law enforcement computer systems

 
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Presentation of lectures and discussions of the study of the crime scene investigation and forensics.
  • Video presentations of methods of crime scene investigation, collection of types of  evidence, ballistics and of death investigation.
  • Guest lecturers invited to class to discuss fingerprinting analysis and basic techniques of lifting fingerprints, death investigation and autopsies.
  • Presentation and discussion actual case studies of criminal cases including recent cases in the media.
  • Distributing handouts demonstrating the basic methods of investigation, fingerprints, trace evidence and death investigation.
  • Cooperative/Collaborative learning tasks and activities designed to assist students in working together as a group processing a simple crime scene, recording evidence, photographing, sketching, utilizing  basic learned interviewing and interrogation skills with one another, giving the student the needed confidence to express, discuss and evaluate the various factors involving the staged crime scene leading to a conclusion for solving the staged crime scene.
  • Power point presentations
  • Individual and group conferences in order toe valuate and advise students on crime scene processing methods and interviewing skills.

 
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Written assignments designed to assess the students’ written communication skills necessary for documentation of the crime scene.
  • Written book reports to assess the students’ ability to read, comprehend and interpret crime scene details and collection methods.
  • Mid-term examinations and quizzes designed to assess the students’ ability to recall basic material and methods used, necessary for crime scene processing.
  • Participation and application of students; oral communication skills in group exercises designed to increase students’ confidence and enhance cognitive thinking skills.
  • Written book reports to assess the student’s ability to read, comprehend, define and interpret crime scene details and collection methods.
  • Documenting, analyzation and synopsis of crime scenes.
    Final examination designed to assess students’ mastery of course material, basic crime scene processing methods and essential concepts studied within the course.
  • Introduction to Law enforcement computer systems.
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Pena, Manuel. Practical Criminal Investigation. 5th ed. Thomas & Wadsen Publishing, 0.
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