3/13/2025 1:20:55 PM	AJ 54B Course Outline as of Summer 2012	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  AJ 54B	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		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 51A

Catalog Description:

This course examines the techniques, procedures, and ethical issues in the investigation of crime, including organization of the investigative process, crime scene searches, interviewing and interrogating, information sources, evidence utility, and the role of the investigator in the criminal trial process.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion of AJ 22 and AJ 54A

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

This course examines the techniques, procedures, and ethical issues in the investigation of crime, including organization of the investigative process, crime scene searches, interviewing and interrogating, information sources, evidence utility, and the role of the investigator in the criminal trial process.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:Course Completion of AJ 22 and AJ 54A
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: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

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 procedures for conducting a preliminary investigation.

2.  Describe the procedures for first responders to crime scenes.

3.  Describe the duties and legalities related to crime scene management, including searches and seizures.

4.  Evaluate the legal aspects of admissions and confessions.

5.  Describe the the preparation and legalities for an interview or an interrogation when conducting a criminal investigation.

6.  Identify and list the evidentiary and legal aspects of an infield showup, photographic lineup, physical lineup, and other non-witness methods of identification.

7.  Illustrate examples of the theory of transfer involving physical evidence at a crime scene.

8.  Identify the role of forensic examination in a criminal investigative process.

9.  Describe and apply the investigative aspects of corpus delicti.

10. Identify key investigative resources.

11. Describe the stages of the criminal investigation process.

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. Documenting crime scene conditions and events

   i. Collection of evidence

   j. Report writing

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

    a. Determining actus reus

   b. Determining mens rea

   c. Determining attendant circumstances

6.  Investigative Resources

   a. Federal resources

   b. State resources

   c. Local resources

   d. Expert witnesses

Assignments:

1.  Read 10 - 20 pages weekly

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

3.  Group research project and presentation

4.  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%
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:

1. Criminal Investigation (10th ed.). Swanson, C., Chamelin, N., Territo, L., & Taylor, R., 2011.

2. Instructor prepared materials

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