MASTER SYLLABUS

2020-2021

A.	Academic Division: Liberal Arts

B.	Discipline: Criminal Justice

C.	Course Number and Title: CRMJ1110 Criminal Investigations I

D.	Course Coordinator: Anne Strouth, Associate Professor, A.A.S., B.S., M.S.

Assistant Dean: Dr. Steve Haynes

Instructor Information:

Name:	Click here to enter text.

Office Location:	Click here to enter text.

Office Hours:	Click here to enter text.

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E-Mail Address	Click here to enter text.

E.	Credit Hours: 3

Lecture: 2 hours

Laboratory: 3 hours

F.	Prerequisites: None

G.	Syllabus Effective Date: Fall, 2020

H.	Textbook(s) Title:

Criminal Investigation: The Art and the Science

Author: Lyman, Michael

Copyright Year: 2017

Edition: 8th

ISBN #: 9780134115276

Workbook(s) and/or Lab Manual: None

J.	Course Description: This course introduces the student to the study of investigative procedures beginning with the preliminary investigation through the follow-up phase. Additional topics covered within this course include documenting the crime scene, death investigations, interviewing techniques, evidence recognition, identification and collection. The laboratory experience will provide actual investigation situations to enhance student learning.

K.	College-Wide Learning Outcomes

College-Wide Learning Outcomes	Assessments - - How it is met & When it is met
Communication – Written
Communication – Speech
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence
Critical Thinking
Information Literacy
Quantitative Literacy	Quantitative Literacy VALUE Rubric

L.	Course Outcomes and Assessment Methods:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student shall: (any or all assessments can be conducted)

Outcomes	Assessments – How it is met & When it is met
1. Differentiate between the three major types of evidence.	Exam, video reaction assignments, chapter discussion questions, critical thinking exercise – weeks 1-2
2. Determine the three primary responsibilities of the first responder to the crime scene.	Computer based case scenarios, research questions, exam, video reaction assignment – weeks 1-2 and week 15
3. Identify and reconstruct the crime scene search patterns.	Exam, lab exercises, lab observation, student demonstration – weeks 4-5
4. Identify and compose the information that should be included in the chain of custody records.	Exam, group work, lab exercises, lab observation – weeks 9-10
5. Identify the ten principles of collecting and preserving physical evidence.	Computer based case scenarios, exam, lab exercises, student demonstration - weeks 4,5,6
6. Given a mock crime scene, equipment, and blank reports, used by a police agency, the student will work in a small group and plan, organize, prepare, and process a crime scene, which will include: a. completing necessary reports, and developing search warrants b. diagramming and measuring the crime scene, c. and preparing a written case report of the case as well as an oral presentation of the case findings.	Mock crime scene analysis, lab exercise weeks 13-15
7. Prepare a rough sketch of a mock crime scene.	Lab exercises, lab observation, student demonstration – week 3 and week 15
8. Prepare a detailed court-ready drawing from a rough sketch of a mock crime scene.	Discussion questions, , lab check-offs, mock crime scene, exam, lab exercises, student demonstration- week 3 and week 15
9. Given a mock scenario, the student shall prepare and conduct a successful interview.	Lab exercise, student demonstration, mock crime scene analysis exercise, – week12 and week 15
10. Describe how to identify and obtain information from suspects and victims of crimes.	Video reaction assignment, student demonstration, research questions, lab exercise, exam – weeks 6,7,8
11. Prepare a search warrant utilizing a mock scenario.	Lab exercise, chapter discussion questions – weeks 9-10
12. Utilize the proper steps in effective note taking during the investigation of crimes.	Exam, lab exercise, student demonstration – weeks 2-3

M.	Topical Timeline (Subject to Change):

Criminal Investigation (An Overview)

Investigative Photography and Crime-Scene Sketches

Investigative Notes and Reports

Searches

Physical Evidence

Obtaining Information

Evidence Collection

Identifying and Arresting Suspects/Photo Identification and Line-Ups

Preparing for and Presenting Cases in Court

Search Warrants

Biohazard Material

Interviewing Techniques

Death Investigations

Week One:

Introduction

Pretest

Overview, Criminal Investigation

Week Two:

Photography

Field notes/Sketching

Week Three:

Field notes

Sketches

Photography

Week Four:

Searches/writing reports

Evidence Collection

Week Five:

Searches/writing reports

Photography

Evidence Collection

Week Six:

Evidence/Obtaining Information

Evidence Collections

Week Seven:

Evidence/Obtaining Information

Physical Evidence

Week Eight:

Evidence/Obtaining Information

Physical Evidence

Week Nine:

Warrants and Preparing Cases for Court

Week Ten:

Warrants and Preparing Cases for Court

Biohazard Materials

Week 11: Death Investigations

Interviewing Techniques

Week 12:

Interviewing Techniques

Week 13:

Final Lab Exercise-

Week: 14:

Prep for Finals, Final Lab Exercises

Week 15:

Prep for Finals, Final Lab Exercises

Week 16 Finals

N.	Course Assignments:

Student Demonstrations

Hands-on lab exercises/observations

Mock crime scene analysis

Video Reaction Assignments

Critical Thinking Worksheets/Exercises/Case Scenarios

Chapter Discussion Questions

Research Questions

Progressive Exams

At a minimum the following labs will be conducted:

Field Notes

Sketching

Photography

Mock Crime

Evidence Collection

Case Scenarios/Evaluations

Interviewing

O.	Recommended Grading Scale:

NUMERIC	GRADE	POINTS	DEFINITION
93–100	A	4.00	Superior
90–92	A-	3.67	Superior
87–89	B+	3.33	Above Average
83–86	B	3.00	Above Average
80–82	B-	2.67	Above Average
77–79	C+	2.33	Average
73–76	C	2.00	Average
70-72	C-	1.67	Below Average
67–69	D+	1.33	Below Average
63-66	D	1.00	Below Average
60-62	D-	0.67	Poor
00-59	F	0.00	Failure

P.	Grading and Testing Guidelines:

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Q.	Examination Policy:

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R.	Class Attendance and Homework Make-Up Policy:

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S.	Classroom Expectations:

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T.	College Procedures/Policies:

Important information regarding College Procedures and Policies can be found on the syllabus supplement located at

http://catalog.ncstatecollege.edu/mime/download.pdf?catoid=5&ftype=2&foid=3