CRJ 141 - Criminal Investigation

1. Explain general contemporary issues associated with criminal investigation
   1. Understand criminal investigation terminology
   2. Describe the goals of criminal investigations
   3. Elaborate on proper criminal investigation protocol
   4. Develop knowledge in computer-aided criminal investigation technology
   5. Understand the interrelationships between the criminal investigator and others in the criminal justice system
2. Describe procedures for the proper documentation of a crime scene
   1. Understand the importance of, and proper way to make field notes
   2. Understand the importance of, and proper way to photograph crime scenes
   3. Understand the importance of, and proper way to make sketches of crime scenes
   4. Describe the security steps taken to maintain the integrity of documentation evidence
   5. Discuss the admissibility of photos and sketches in court
3. Appreciate the virtues of writing effective reports
   1. Analyze the components of a well-written report
   2. Become familiar with computer-aided report writing technology
   3. Understand the procedure for self-evaluation of a report
   4. Describe how a well-written report benefits the individual officer, their department, and the criminal justice system as a whole
4. Develop an understanding of legal principles associated with criminal investigations
   1. Analyze the constitutional standards relating to searches and seizures of evidence
   2. Analyze the constitutional standards relating to interviews and interrogations of criminal suspects
   3. Analyze the legal principles for arrests with, and without warrants
   4. Analyze the legal principles associated with the identification of criminal suspects
5. Explain procedures used for the proper identification, preservation, and collection of physical evidence
   1. Discuss the various types of evidence storage containers
   2. Describe the various methods used to collect physical evidence
   3. Define procedures used to maintain evidence integrity for presentation in court
6. Discuss the various types of commonly identified and examined physical evidence
   1. Analyze the types and significance of friction ridge evidence
   2. Analyze the types and significance of D.N.A. evidence
   3. Analyze the types and significance of blood evidence
   4. Analyze the types and significance of hair and fiber evidence
   5. Analyze the types and significance of impression evidence, including footwear, vehicle tires, tool marks, and bite marks
   6. Analyze the types and significance of firearms and ballistics evidence
   7. Analyze the types and significance of other types of physical evidence
7. Discuss and analyze criminal investigations as related to crimes against persons
   1. Identify the criminal investigation and legal standards for homicides and other death investigations
   2. Identify the criminal investigation and legal standards for the crime of assault
   3. Identify the criminal investigation and legal standards for sex offenses
   4. Identify the criminal investigation and legal standards for crimes against children
   5. Identify the criminal investigation and legal standards for the crime of robbery
8. Discuss and analyze criminal investigations as related to property crimes
   1. Identify the criminal investigation and legal standards for the crime of burglary
   2. Identify the criminal investigation and legal standards for crimes related to theft, fraudulent practices, and so-called “white-collar” crimes
   3. Identify the criminal investigation and legal standards for crimes related to arson and explosives
9. Develop and understanding of other formidable challenges to the modern-day criminal investigator
   1. Discuss computer crime and the evolution of Cybercrime
   2. Discuss drug-related crime
   3. Discuss organized crime
   4. Discuss the criminal activities of street gangs and other subversive groups in our society
   5. Discuss issues relating to domestic and international terrorism and homeland security
10. Explain the importance of preparing for, and presenting cases in a court of law
    1. Understand the role of the prosecutor
    2. Discuss the proper ways to prepare a case for prosecution
    3. Develop an understanding of trial processes and procedures
    4. Develop an understanding of the court process
    5. Explain the reason and proper ways to testify in court