4/24/2024 6:03:39 PM	AJ 51A Course Outline as of Spring 2012	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:
Course Completion of AJ 22, AJ 51, and AJ 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:Course Completion of AJ 22, AJ 51, and AJ 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.  Analyze the legal steps in conducting a crime scene search.

9. Determine the investigative aspects of search and seizure.

10. Determine the investigative aspects of corpus delicti.

Topics and Scope

1.  Introduction to preliminary investigation

   a. Proceeding to the scene

   b. Rendering aid to the injured

   c. Arresting of the suspect

   d. Locating and identifying witnesses

   e. Interviewing witnesses

   f. Securing the crime scene

   g. Interrogating the suspect

   h. Noting crime scene conditions and events

   i. Arranging for the collection of evidence

   j. Report writing

   k. Yielding 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 does not apply

   f. Miranda and minors

   g. Attenuation and impeachment

4.  Investigative aspects of identification methods

   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.  Read 10 - 20 pages weekly

2.  Written assignments including analysis of corpus delicti of California criminal law, case briefs, criminal procedures pertaining to search, seizure, arrest, and evidence (4-8 assignments)

3.  Completion of course workbook on investigative procedures and rules

4.  Group research project and presentation

5.  Two to three exams

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 and research project
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 15 - 30%
Workbook problems and research project presentation
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%
Exams
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 0%
None

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

California Criminal Evidence Guide (8th). Hill, Raymond. Halleck Creek Publishing: 2010

California Criminal Evidence Guide: Student Workbook, Bowling, Ray. Halleck Creek Publishing, 2010

California Penal Code. State of California: current annual edition

Instructor prepared materials

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