Course Description:
CRIMLJUS 3130 Criminal Investigation
| Course Number: | CRIMLJUS 3130 |
| Course Name: | Criminal Investigation |
| Course Description: | An introduction to the principles and procedures of criminal investigation, including the identification of physical and testimonial evidence, creation of hypotheses for the development of leads and documentation of findings. |
| Prerequisites: | CRIMLJUS 2130 with a "C" or better and junior standing |
| Level: | Undergraduate |
| Credits: | 3 |
| Format: | Online |
| Semesters Offered: |
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| Registration Instructions |
Additional Information
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Define and apply specific legal concepts in relation to criminal investigations.
- Identify the logical steps of crime scene processing.
- Describe methods of appropriate evidence preservation for specific forensic analysis.
- Summarize methods of obtaining information from witnesses and databases.
- Detail the logical steps utilized to obtain a confession during an interrogation.
- Describe the logical process of conducting a criminal investigation within the confines of the U.S. Constitution.
- Identify and explain specific criminal activities, with major emphasis on violent crimes.
Unit Descriptions
Lesson 1: Criminal Investigations: An Overview; Documenting the Crime Scene: Note Taking, Photography,...
Lesson 2: Writing Effective Reports; Searches
Lesson 3: Forensics/Physical Evidence
Lesson 4: Obtaining Information
Lesson 5: Identifying and Arresting Suspects
Lesson 6: Death Investigations
Lesson 7: Assault, Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Elder Abuse
Lesson 8: Sex Offenses; Crimes against Children and Youths
Lesson 9: Robbery; Burglary
Lesson 10: Larceny, Theft, Fraud, and White-Collar Crime
Lesson 11: Motor Vehicle Theft; Arson, Bombs, and Explosives
Lesson 12: Computer Crime and Its Evolution into Cybercrime; A Dual Threat: Drug-Related Crime and Organized Crime
Lesson 13: Criminal Activities of Gangs and Other Dangerous Groups
Lesson 14: Terrorism and Homeland Security; Preparing for and Presenting Cases in Court
Number of Exams
There is a final exam for this course.
Number of Assignments
There are 11 written assignments, 28 discussions, and a research paper for this course.
Number of Projects
There are no group projects for this course.
Grading Information
Grades will be determined based on total accumulated points. Grades are NOT based on percentages, and therefore, will not be rounded at the end of the semester. Your grade will reflect the points that you earn. The breakdown of points is as follows:
Description Points Possible
Written Assignments (11 at 10 pts each) 110
Discussions: Initial Post (28 [2 per lesson (Lessons 1-14)] at 4 pts each) 112
Discussions: Response to Others' Posts (28 [2 per lesson (Lessons 1-14)] at 1 pt each) 28
Research Paper 200
Weekly Quizzes (15 [1 per week (Weeks 1-15)] at 10 pts each) 150
TOTAL
600
Possible extra credit points 10
Grading Scale:
A= 540 - 600 Points
B= 480 - 539 Points
C= 420 - 479 Points
D= 360 - 419 Points
F = 359 Points or below