STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY CANTON, NEW YORK COURSE OUTLINE JUST 203 – Criminal Investigations Prepared By: Dr. Brian K. Harte SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, HEALTH, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE Department of Criminal Justice April 2012JUST 203 – Criminal Investigations A. TITLE: Criminal Investigations B. COURSE NUMBER: JUST 203 C. CREDIT HOURS: 3 D. WRITING INTENSIVE COURSE: No E. COURSE LENGTH: 15 weeks F. SEMESTER(S) OFFERED: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter G. HOURS OF LECTURE, LABORATORY, RECITATION, TUTORIAL, ACTIVITY: 3 hours per week H. CATALOG DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct a thorough preliminary investigation of crimes. Techniques used to investigate common categories of crimes will be discussed. A major emphasis in this course will be the preparation and execution of investigative plans as they relate to a team approach. Other skills will include interviewing, crime scene processing, and basic forensic examination of evidence. I. PRE-REQUISITES/CO-COURSES: Pre-requisite: JUST 101, Introduction to Criminal Justice or permission of instructor J. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of this course, the student will be able to: Course Objective Institutional SLO 1. Associate the legal authorities and limitations of statutory law to police procedures. 1. Communication 2. Critical Thinking 2. Apply the implementation of investigative plans to develop criminal investigative tasks. 1. Communication 2. Critical Thinking 3. Distinguish appropriate investigative methods pertaining to various categories of crime. 1. Communication 2. Critical Thinking 4. Interpret the rules of search and seizure as they pertain to the collection of evidence. 2. Critical Thinking 3. Professional Competence K. TEXTS: Bennett, W. W., & Hess, K. M. (2010). Criminal Investigation (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.L. REFERENCES: None M. EQUIPMENT: Technology Enhanced Classroom N. GRADING METHOD: A-F O. MEASUREMENT CRITERIA/METHODS: • Exams • Quizzes • Assignments P. DETAILED COURSE OUTLINE: I Criminal Investigation: An Overview A. Definition of criminal investigation. B. Basic functions of an investigator. C. Characteristics of an investigator. D. The response of the first responder at a crime scene. E. Arrest and interview of crime scene suspects F. Crime scene/evidence protection and security. G. Meaning/importance of res gestae statements. H. Determining if a crime has been committed. I. Responsibility for solving crime. J. Investigator interactions with other personnel/agencies. K. Avoiding civil lawsuits. II. Documenting the Scene A. Characteristics and importance of note taking. B. Filing notes. C. Use of notes in court. D. Purposes of crime scene photography E. Purposes of crime scene sketching. F. Types of crime scene sketches. G. Types of photographic equipment. III. Search and Seizure A. Fourth Amendment B. Search warrants. C. Consent searches D. Stop and frisk E. Incident to arrest F. Expectation of privacy IV. Physical Evidence A. Collection evidenceB. Preserving evidence C. Examination of evidence D. Reconstruction of scenes E. Admissibility of evidence in court V. Obtaining Information A. Source of information B. Interview and interrogation C. Juvenile interviews VI. Identifying Suspects A. Developing suspects B. Locating and arresting suspects C. Surveillance VII. Sex Offenses A. Classifications of sex offenses B. Sexual offenders C. Interviewing victims D. Medical Examinations E. Collection of Evidence VIII. Death Investigations A. Classifications of homicide B. Elements of the crime C. Manners of death D. Causes of death E. Mechanism of death F. Preliminary investigation G. Autopsy H. Suspects IX. Crimes Against Children A. Extent of the problem B. Types of abuse C. Offenders D. Victims E. Preliminary investigation F. Interviewing children G. Court testimony X. Robbery A. Elements of the crime B. Preliminary investigation C. Investigative tacticsXI. Burglary A. Elements of the crime B. Preliminary investigations C. Crime scenes D. Evidence E. Fencing property F. Recovering stolen property G. Suspect identification XII. Larceny A. Elements of the crime B. Types of larceny C. Preliminary investigations D. Collection of evidence E. Stage larceny XIII. Arson and explosions A. Elements of the crime B. Types of arson C. Types of explosives D. Preliminary investigations E. Crime scenes F. Safety considerations G. Special tactics XIV. Computer Crime A. Elements of the crime B. Viruses C. Search warrants D. Seizure of computers E. Recovery of data XV. Organized Crime A. Types of organized crime B. Methods of investigation C. Drugs D. Hate crimes E. Ritualistic crimes F. Special considerations XVI. Drugs A. Drug categories B. Drug testing C. BuysD. Possession E. Stings F. Seizures G. Labs Q. LABORATORY OUTLINE: