12/21/2024 7:49:35 AM	AJ 51A Course Outline as of Fall 2008	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  AJ 51A	Title:  BASIC CRIMNL INVEST
Full Title:  Basic Criminal Investigation
Last Reviewed:12/13/2021

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:

Basic principles of criminal investigation and evidence as they apply to the justice system.  

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Completion of AJ 50, 54 and 55.

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100.

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Basic principles of criminal investigation and evidence as they apply to the justice system.  

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:Completion of AJ 50, 54 and 55.
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:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: AJ 140	Criminal Investigation	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): AJ57

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.  Describe the basic steps in conducting a preliminary

investigation.

2.  Evaluate the legal aspects of admissions and confession

and give examples of when a statement is legally obtained.

3.  Formulate the basic steps in preparing for an interview or an

interrogation in conducting a criminal investigation.

4.  Identify and list the evidentiary and legal aspects of an infield

showup, photographic lineup, physical lineup, and other non-witness

methods of identification.

5.  Compile a list of investigative resources available on the local,

state and federal level.

6.  Illustrate examples of the theory of transfer involving

physical evidence at a crime scene.

7.  Analyze the role of various expert witnesses that can assist

in a criminal investigation.

8.  Define basic investigative vocabulary as prescribed by Learning Domain

#30 (Preliminary Investigation) prescribed by the California Commission

on Peace Officer Standards and Training.

9.  Analyze the legal steps in conducting a crime scene search.

10. Determine the investigative aspects of search and seizure.

11. Determine the investigative aspects of corpus delicti.  

Topics and Scope

1.  Introduction to preliminary investigation

   a. Proceed to the scene promptly but safety

   b. Render aid to the injured

   c. Effect arrest of the suspect

   d. Locate and identify witnesses

   e. Interview witnesses

   f. Maintain the crime scene

   g. Interrogate the suspect

   h. Note all crime scene conditions and events

   i. Arrange for the collection of evidence

   j. Report writing

   k. Yield to follow-up investigators

2.  Investigative aspects of search and seizure

   a. Emergency searches of crime scenes

   b. Crime scene search warrants

   c. Administrative, probation and parole searches

   d. Legal aspects in the physical seizure of evidence

3.  Investigative aspects of admissions and confessions

   a. Miranda Rule

   b. Admonition and waiver of rights

   c. Counsel issues

   d. Questioning after assertion of rights

   e. When Miranda doesn't apply?

   f. Miranda and minors

   g. Attenuation and impeachment

4.  Investigative aspects of lineups, showups, and other methods of

   identification

   a. Infield showup

   b. Photographic lineup

   c. Physical lineup

   d. Other non-witness methods of identifications

5.  Investigative aspects of corpus delicti - common crimes

   a. Murder and manslaughter

   b. Robbery

   c. Rape and sex crimes

   d. Aggravated assault

   e. Cohabitation abuse

   f. Burglary

   g. Theft

   h. Review of Evidence Code provisions relating to criminal

      investigations

6.  Investigative resources

   a. California Department of Justice

   b. Criminalistics - Bureau of Forensic Services

   c. Federal resources

   d. Local resources - task force operations

   e. Expert witnesses  

Assignments:

1.  Two mid-term examinations consisting of 50-75 multiple-choice

questions.

2.  Twelve written assignments on the corpus delicti of crimes, laws of

arrest, case law pertaining to search and seizure and Miranda, and

relevant provisions of the California Evidence Code which apply in a

criminal investigation.

3.  Four written assignments covering internet research on resources

applicable to a criminal investigation.

4.  Final Examination - group oral from prepared questions evaluated by an

oral board comprised of experienced investigators.

5.  Completion of a course workbook on investigative areas of Search and

Seizure, Miranda, and Methods of Identification.  

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 20 - 40%
Written homework, Internet research assignment.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 15 - 30%
Homework problems
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 35 - 60%
Multiple choice, True/false, Matching items, Short essay; Oral Board examination
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 5 - 10%
Workbook exercises.

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION, Basic Course Student Workbook, LD#30,

Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, State of

California, current edition.

CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL EVIDENCE GUIDE, 6th or 7th Edition, Raymond Hill,

Halleck Creek Publishing, 2003.

CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL EVIDENCE GUIDE, Student Workbook, Ray Bowling, Halleck

Creek Publishing, 2003.

CALIFORNIA PENAL CODE, current edition.  

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