SHAW UNIVERSITY

 

                                         Department of Social Sciences

 

                              CRJ403.48G Basic Criminal Investigation

 

                           Robert Smith, B.S., B.S., M.C.J., Magistrate,

                               7th Judicial District, Wilson County

 

                       Telephone:  (252) 205-1990, rsmith@shawu.edu

 

                    Office Hours:  Monday & Wednesday 6:00-7:00 PM

 

                                                     Spring 2006                                         

Class meets Monday & Wednesday 7:05-8:20 PM

Course Description:  Deals with the processes used by a criminal investigator in solving crimes. Special emphasis will be given to the crime scene search, recordation, and processing of evidence. If time permits the course will also get into report writing and case preparation.

Course Goals and Objectives: This course will focus on disseminating knowledge that is necessary for persons who are currently working or likely to work in the criminal justice system in order to enable them to become more efficient investigators of crime.

Required Text: Swanson, Charles R., Chamelin, Neil C., Territo, Leornard, and Taylor, Robert W. (2006), Criminal Investigation.  9th Edition, New York: McGraw Hill.

Grades: Class Quizzes will constitute 60 percent of the grade and the final exam will represent 30 percent of the grade. Ten percent of the grade will be for class participation. There will be a series of 6 short in-class quizzes.  Each class will be a direct preparation for the following classes.

Course Evaluation:

Attendance Policy: Students are required to attend class regularly. Final grades will be reduced for more than three unexcused absences or the same number of incidents of being late for class.  If a student is not in class when attendance is taken, then the roll will record them as absent. No attempt will be made to adjust attendance records for tardy students.  Students should not leave class and return, or leave class and not return, prior to the conclusion of regular class hour; doing so will result in a tardy.

Book Policy: The required text prescribed for the course must be brought to the class. Points will be deducted from final grade for failure to comply. Each student is expected to follow the syllabus and read all materials prior to the scheduled class time. All electronic and telephonic devices with sound alarms are prohibited from activation in the classroom. Should these devices get activated more than once, you will be excused from the class.

Make-up Test Policy: There are no make-up exams. Students will be given a total of six exams.  The grade for the course will be based on the average of the six exams and the final exam. Since the final exam is comprehensive; when the final exam is graded; the portion of the exam that the student missed will be counted twice to compensate for any missed scheduled exam.

Student conference policy: Office hours will be utilized for conferences pertaining to all student and class issues. Seniors are encouraged to make an appointment for a conference (progress report) before making final plans for graduation.  

Examinations: There will be six course tests that will be administered as designated on the Course Syllabus and in the Registrars’ forthcoming test Schedule. Each exam constitutes 100 points. The tests will consist of questions that are true/false, multiple choices, and essay. The number of questions will be determined by the relevant subject matter. Examinations are cumulative.

Contingency assignments: The instructor reserves the right to administer unannounced quizzes in order to assess class status and standing regarding the course. Students who consistently perform poorly on these quizzes will be presumed to have failed to comply with course requirements and are required to schedule an assessment conference with this Instructor. Good study habits are a student’s responsibility. Failure to study will affect the final grade.

Assignment Schedule and Grading: The scheduled exams constitute 100 points each.

                        Grading scale: A=90-100

                                             B=80-89

                                             C=70-79

                                             D=60-69

                                             F= Below 59 is failure.

Class Preparation Policy: Students must take notes during class in order to retain material for discussions and examinations. Class lectures are appropriated to college level discussion and examinations. Reading assignments are to be completed before class at the times designated. These assignments could be subject to change due to extended discussions, and other activities.

Course Outline and Reading Assignments:

January

16               HOLIDAY

18               week 1            Introduction to Course and Review of Syllabus

                                          The Evolution of Criminal Investigation and Criminalistics

23              Last Day to Drop a Class           

23 & 25    week 2             The Evolution of Criminal Investigation and Criminalistics

30              week 3             Legal Aspects of Investigation (Exam I)

February 1                                        

6 & 8        week 4            Investigators, the Investigative Process, and the Crime Scene

13 & 15    week 5             Physical Evidence (Exam II)  

20 & 22     week 6           Interviewing and Interrogation

27             week 7             Field Notes and Reporting

March 1

6 & 8        week 8            The Follow-Up Investigation and Investigative Resources (Exam III)

13 & 15    week 9            The Crime Lab and Crime Scene Reconstruction

20 & 22     week 10         Injury and Death Investigations

24-            Spring Break

April 2

3 & 5        week 11           Sex-Related Offenses (Exam IV)

10 & 12     week 12          Crimes against Children

14 – 17      Easter Break

19              week 13        Robbery (Exam V)

24 & 26     week 14        Burglary

May

1 & 3        week 15      White-Collar Crime and Larceny and Review for Finals (Exam VI)

5              Last Day of Classes

8-11         Final Exam Periods