During previous years some scholars have debated that criminal investigation is an art and not a science. Others have argued that modern investigative methods are primarily scientific in nature. In recent years, major technological developments have increased law enforcement services and advanced crime solving capabilities. Criminal investigation is indeed an art; an art that embraces and incorporates many precepts of modern science and technology. 

This course presents an overview of the fundamentals of criminal investigation and introduces the student to a variety of investigative procedures and techniques. It also examines the collection, handling, and preservation of evidence and trace materials. The course traverses the initial investigative steps of information, interrogation, and instrumentation to collect and assemble detailed information. An overview of specific offenses, and special investigative techniques and methods are also studied. 

Entry Level Competencies: None

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

1. examine the evolution of criminal investigation and criminalistics.
2. create an awareness of the impact of crime and the importance of the investigative function.
3. examine typical crime scene problems.
4. create an awareness of the importance of field notes, complete reports, and follow up investigations
5. study the rules of evidence.
6. review the methods of modern crime scene search techniques.
7. survey various types and categories of criminal evidence.
8. create an awareness regarding the collection and care of evidence.
9. investigate ways of preserving the crime scene.
10. develop methods of interviewing and interrogating witnesses.
11. discuss legal implications regarding confessions and admissions.
12. examine the role of the crime laboratory and the criminal investigation process.
13. examine local, state, and federal crime laboratories.
14. discuss specialized investigations in the United States.

Possible Assignments Include: (Subject to change each semester. The actual assignments are available in the Syllabus in the Blackboard course site on the first day of classes.)

Your final grade may be based on the following scale. Please note that you must also pass at least several exams in order to pass the course, regardless of your scores on the other assignments.

There are 2 exams in this course.

Last Updated: August 10, 2011