12/21/2024 10:09:59 AM	AJ 51B Course Outline as of Fall 2008	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  AJ 51B	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		17.5 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: 

Catalog Description:

Advanced principles in major felony investigations with emphasis on physical evidence and forensic science application in preliminary and follow-up investigation and courtroom testimony.  

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 emphasis on physical evidence and forensic science application in preliminary and follow-up investigation and courtroom testimony.  

(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:CSU;
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:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:	Summer 2012
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 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.  

Topics and Scope

1. Proper techniques of identifying, collecting and preserving physical

evidence in major felony investigations.

       A. Conduct survey

       B. Document location of all evidence

       C. Photograph all evidence prior to collection

       D. Protect at-risk evidence

       E. Collection, measuring, lighting equipment

2. Proper techniques for protecting a crime scene

       A. Establish inner and outer perimeter

       B. Assign personnel

       C. Use of various types of physical barriers

3. Appropriate measures for packaging various types of evidence

       A. Proper equipment

       B. Types of container and packaging material

       C. Specialty kits

4. Crime scene survey and search

       A. Initial survey

       B. Search pattern

       C. Contamination avoidance

5. Nature and physical properties of various categories of evidence

       A. Trace

       B. Transfer

       C. At-risk

6. Use of fingerprint, ballistics and DNA evidence

       A. Identification of suspect/s

       B. Elimination of possible suspect/s

       C. Identification of weapon

7. Incident/Crime report including a crime scene sketch and evidence

reporting

       A. Essential elements of a homicide investigative report

       B. Importance and use of crime scene sketch

       C. Evidence reporting

8. Proper procedures and responses for courtroom testimony

       A. Basic procedure

       B. Testimony preparation

       C. Testifying

       D. Cross-examination tactics  

Assignments:

1.  Six Written examinations

2.  Performance tests in physical evidence (group exercises).

3.  Class participation and attendance.

4.  Written outside assignments including investigative techniques

   research, investigative statute, and case law research (homework).

5.  Final examination - Crime Scene Practical.

6.  Notebook containing lecture notes and homework will be reviewed at

   semester end.  

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 - 35%
Written homework, Term notebook
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 10 - 30%
Homework problems
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 20 - 40%
Class performances, Crime Scene Investigation
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 20 - 45%
Multiple choice, True/false, Matching items, Completion, Short essay
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 0%
None

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION, Basic Course Workbook, Learning Domain 30,

Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, State of California,

current version.

PHYSICAL EVIDENCE BULLETINS DIRECTORY OF SERVICE by California Department

of Justice, current edition.  

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