SRV 240 - Boundary Law

1. Review general evidence
   1. Explain the importance of evidence
   2. Identify the classification and types of evidence gathered by surveyors
   3. Define the law of evidence and burden of proof
   4. Discuss preponderance of evidence
   5. Describe admissibility, relevancy and conclusiveness of evidence
   6. Discuss when extrinsic evidence is used
   7. Explain the duties of surveyors in finding evidence
2. Recognize verbal evidence
   1. Discuss the value of writing as evidence
   2. Explain evidence to prove intent of conveyances
   3. Identify spoken verbal evidence
3. Examine other evidence
   1. Discuss retracements and evidence
   2. Explain the value of monuments as evidence
   3. Describe disturbed evidence
   4. Define evidence of witness objects
   5. Discuss chain of history of monuments
   6. Review witness evidence to prove monuments
   7. Define possession evidence
   8. Explain evidence of fences to prove boundaries
4. Recognize measurements as evidence
   1. Discuss types of measurements
   2. Explain standardization of measuring devices
   3. Describe direction and the methods of observing directions.
   4. Demonstrate computations and significant figures
   5. Identify errors in measurement
   6. Describe evidence of measurement
   7. Explain errors in position and traversing
   8. Discuss specifications and standards
   9. Practice closure, adjustments and computations
5. Investigate plats as evidence
   1. Describe types of plats and features
   2. Explain plats of survey results
   3. Discuss surveyors certificates
   4. Discuss original plats and laws regulating platting
6. Identify guarantees of title and location
   1. Describe registration of title versus ownership
   2. Explain title and possession guarantees
   3. Define abstract of title and attorney’s opinions
   4. Discuss title insurance
   5. Explain corrective instruments
   6. Discuss the Torrens principle of title registration
7. Identify unwritten transfers of land ownership
   1. Identify unwritten conveyances
   2. Discuss estoppel
   3. Define unwritten agreements and dedications
   4. Explain adverse possession
   5. Discuss claim of title
   6. Explain the difficulty of determining unwritten rights and the surveyor?s duties to unwritten title transfers
8. Examine the role of the surveyor in court
   1. Explain the pretrial discovery and initial court appearance
   2. Discuss the duties of a surveyor in court and conduct on the stand
   3. Discuss the jury, witnesses and the expert witness
   4. Define opinion evidence, hypothetical questions and cause and effect
   5. Explain discovery by interrogatories, depositions, admissions or production of documents
   6. Discuss preparation for testimony
9. Review the Iowa Administrative Code [193C] relating to land surveying in the state of Iowa
10. Discuss the Code of Iowa chapters that relate to land surveying in the state of Iowa