12/21/2024 5:14:40 AM	AJ 154 Course Outline as of Fall 2013	Inactive Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  AJ 154	Title:  ADVANCED CRIMNL INVEST
Full Title:  Advanced Criminal Investigation
Last Reviewed:11/7/2011

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  AJ 51B

Catalog Description:

Advanced principles in major felony investigations with an emphasis on identification, collection, and preliminary processing of physical evidence.  Includes the application of investigative techniques, trial preparation, and courtroom presentation.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion of AJ 57 ( or AJ 54B or AJ 51A)

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Advanced principles in major felony investigations with an emphasis on identification, collection, and preliminary processing of physical evidence.  Includes the application of investigative techniques, trial preparation, and courtroom presentation.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:Course Completion of AJ 57 ( or AJ 54B or AJ 51A)
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Certificate Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the proper techniques of identifying, collecting, and preserving physical evidence in major felony investigations.

2. Apply proper techniques for protecting a crime scene.

3. Recognize appropriate measures for packaging various types of evidence.

4. Employ the principles of a safe and proper crime scene survey and search.

5. Analyze the nature and physical properties of various categories of evidence.

6. Examine the use of fingerprints, ballistics, trace, and DNA evidence.

7. Prepare an incident/crime report including a sketch and evidence report.

8. Identify proper procedures and responses for courtroom testimony and presentation of evidence.

Topics and Scope

I. Identifying, Collecting and Preserving Evidence

       A. Scene survey

       B. Document location of all evidence

       C. Photograph all evidence prior to collection

       D. Protect at-risk evidence

       E. Collection, measuring, lighting equipment

       F. Personal safety

II. Crime Scene Protection

       A. Establish inner and outer perimeter

       B. Assign personnel

       C. Use of various types of physical barriers

       D. Locating evidence

III. Packaging Evidence

       A. Proper equipment

       B. Types of container and packaging material

       C. Specialty kits

IV. Crime Scene

       A. Initial survey

       B. Search pattern

       C. Contamination avoidance

       D. Evidence identification

V. Categories of Evidence

       A. Trace

       B. Transfer

       C. At-risk

VI. Fingerprints, Ballistics and DNA

       A. Identification of suspect and victim

       B. Elimination of possible suspect

       C. Identification of evidence

VII. Incident/Crime Report

       A. Essential elements of a homicide investigative report

       B. Importance and use of crime scene sketch

       C. Evidence reporting

VIII. Courtroom Testimony and Presentation

       A. Preliminary considerations

       B. Testimony preparation

       C. Testifying

       D. Cross-examination tactics

       E. Follow-up investigations

Assignments:

1.  Six written homework assignments including research of investigative techniques, procedures, investigative statutes, and case laws

2.  Performance tests in physical evidence identification and collection (group exercises)

3.  Class participation and attendance

4.  Weekly reading and application of legal resources

5.  Final examination - written research paper and group presentation

6.  Notebook containing lecture notes and homework assignments

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 10 - 20%
Written homework, notebook
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 10 - 30%
Homework
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 20 - 40%
Class presentation, crime scene investigation
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 20 - 35%
Research paper
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 5 - 10%
Attendance and participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Criminal Investigation (10th). Swanson, C., N. Chamelin, L. Territo, and R. Taylor. McGraw Hill: 2011.

Instructor prepared materials

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