CJA 210 Criminal Investigation 1

An exploration of the history, practice, and profession of criminal investigations. Provides an overview of general and offense-specific investigative principles and methods with an emphasis on the identification, documentation, collection and preservation of physical, testimonial, and documentary evidence. Topics include crime scene management, investigation, and reconstruction; criminal identification and criminalistics techniques; initial and follow-up investigatory phases; roles of law enforcement and support personnel; inductive and deductive reasoning; interpretation and application of substantive law; covert operations; and constitutional constraints. Fundamentals of criminal investigation, theory, and history; crime scene to courtroom with emphasis on techniques appropriate to specific crimes.

Credits

3

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Discuss the central tenets that form the basis of criminal investigative work, including a comparison of preliminary and follow-up investigations, types of reasoning, steps and stages in the investigative process, and Locard’s exchange principle
2. Compare the various types and sources of evidence and their relative value to the investigation and prosecution of crime
3. Identify the relevant scientific and technical resources that are available to the criminal investigator
4. Describe how constitutional safeguards impact investigative process and conduct
5. Demonstrate appropriate crime scene management techniques and practices including the identification, documentation, collection, and preservation of significant items of physical evidence
6. Identify the relevant techniques, tactics, and strategies that may be employed during the investigation of specific crimes