SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 4:05:38 PMAJ 51B Course Outline as of Fall 2009

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  AJ 51BTitle:  ADVANCED CRIMNL INVEST  
Full Title:  Advanced Criminal Investigation
Last Reviewed:11/7/2011

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled017.5 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total 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:
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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: Untitled document
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:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive: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:
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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
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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
       D. Locating evidence
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
       D. Evidence identification
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 and victim/s
       B. Elimination of possible suspect/s
       C. Identification of evidence
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. Preliminary considerations
       B. Testimony preparation
       C. Testifying
       D. Cross-examination tactics
       E. Follow-up investigations

Assignments:
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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 - 20%
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 - 35%
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
5 - 10%
Attendance and participation


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Criminal Investigation (10th). Swanson, C., N. Chamelin, L. Territo, and R. Taylor. McGraw Hill: 2009

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