Calumet College of St. Joseph

 

SYLLABUS FOR SCIENTIFIC CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

 

Term:  Fall, 2001-2002 (011) (Sept. 4 – Dec. 15)                                                     

Course Number: CRJ 330x

Instructor:   Dr. Allen Brown

Office:  507

Office Phone: 219-473-4267

E-mail:  abrown@ccsj.edu

Home Phone: 219-937-4561

Office Hours:  1 hour prior to class and posted.

 

Instructor Background:  Practicing attorney; former : business owner & social worker.

 

Course Time: Tuesdays 7:00 – 10:00p  ;  Room:  207

 

Course Description: This course provides students with a general overview of the scientific aspects of criminal investigation, including the study of fingerprints and application of the forensic sciences.  Emphasis will be placed upon the collection and examination of evidence.

 

Prerequisites: CRJ 100  and  ENG 104

 

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

Students in this course will:

·         Understand the historical origins, basic concepts, and starting point of criminal investigations.

·         Understand the “crime scene” as a major part of the criminal investigative process.

·         Become familiar with proper methods of searching a crime scene.

·         Become familiar with phases & procedures of victim, witness, and suspect interviews.

·         Understand uses of “traditional sources” of information in the investigative process.

·         Understand the importance and uses of computers in the investigative process.

·         Understand the legal meaning of burglary, robbery, homicide, and rape and the proper investigative procedures for each crime.

 

Textbooks:  “Criminal Investigation”, James Gilbert, 5th Ed., Prentice Hall, 2001.

 

Learning Strategies: Group Discussions, Team Projects, Collaborative Learning, Lecturing…etc.

 

Assessment:

 

Exams (Midterm, Final, Quizzes)                                                             80      % of grade

Class participation/collaboration/attendance/assignments               10      % of grade

Class presentation and assessment instruments                                 10      % of grade

 

 

Grading Scale:

 

A: 94-100  %         A-: 90-93  %        B+:  87-89 %    B: 84-86 %        B-:  80-83  %     C+: 77-79  %

C: 74-76    %         C-: 70-73   %       D+:  67-69  %   D: 64-66  %        D-:  60-63  %    F:  59 % & below

 

 

 

Student Responsibilities:

1.       Read all assigned materials PRIOR to class.

2.       Submit all homework when due.

3.       Take each test on assigned day; generally, no make-ups given.

4.       Attend class regularly; participate in class discussions.

 

Class Policy for Assignments:  All homework/assignments are to be submitted when due; late

                               work will be downgraded, and after one week late work will not be accepted.

 

 

Class Policy on Attendance:  No more than three (3) absences allowed; requests for exception MUST

            be made in writing within 1 week of returning to class; given at instructor’s discretion.

 

Class Policy on Electronic Devices: (Cell phones, Beeper, Pagers…etc.)  All devices shall

     be turned off prior to class start; medical or emergency exceptions by instructor approval only.

 

Class Dates:

Sept          04                        Overview and Introduction                                                Tests:

 

                   11                        Chs.  1 & 2                                                                           1. Chs.  1-3

 

                  18                      Chs. 2 & 3                                                                             2. Chs.  5-8

 

                    25                      Ch. 3                                                                                     3. Chs.  9-12

 

Oct            02                      Ch. 5 ; Test 1                                                                        4. Chs.  13 & 14  (Final)

 

                    09                      Chs. 5 & 6                                                                                              

 

                    16                       Chs. 6 & 7

 

                    23                       Chs. 7 & 8

 

                    30                       Ch. 9 ; Test 2

 

Nov            06                       Chs. 9 & 10

 

                    13                       Chs. 10 & 11

 

                    20                       Chs. 11 & 12

 

                    27                       Ch. 13; Test 3

 

Dec            04                       Ch. 14

 

                    11                       Final Examination                                                                           

 

 

 

 

 

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)

 

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.).  All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore.  These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

 

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).