Overview
Objectives
Materials
Grading
Exams
ELI Policies and Procedures
Contacting the Instructor
Beginning the Course

 
 

Overview
	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.  Top
Objectives
	If you do well in this course, you will be able to:   Recall the evolution of criminal investigation and criminalistics.  Describe the impact of crime and the importance of the investigative function.  Describe typical crime scene problems.  Recognize the importance of field notes, complete reports, and follow up investigations  State the rules of evidence.  Describe the methods of modern crime scene search techniques.  List various types and categories of criminal evidence.  Recognize the importance of the collection and care of evidence.  Describe ways of preserving the crime scene.  Describe methods of interviewing and interrogating witnesses.  Discuss legal implications regarding confessions and admissions.  Describe the role of the crime laboratory and the criminal investigation process.  Describe local, state, and federal crime laboratories.  Discuss specialized investigations in the United States. Top
Materials
	You may purchase the textbooks and materials for this course at any of the five NVCC bookstores. See ELI Policies and Procedures for locations and phone numbers. You may also purchase your textbooks and materials by mail by calling (888) 744-7839. Purchasing textbooks and materials by mail takes longer, so order your book early.  Required textbooks:  Criminal Investigation, Sixth Edition. Wayne W. Bennett & Kären M. Hess. 2001, Wadsworth/Thompson Learning. ISBN 0-534-57656-7  Study Guide for Criminal Investigation, Sixth Edition (Bennett & Hess). Prepared by Christine M.H. Orthmann. 2001, Wadsworth/Thompson Learning. ISBN 0-534-57654-0  Preliminary Investigations and Collecting Evidence. CD-ROM Package. LETS AS, Unit 14. Item Code: AS-SP-12-14, ISBN 1-929230-14-1. High Impact Training Solutions, Advanced Systems Technology, Inc.  Optional (but highly recommended):  Crime Scene Investigation, Thomas F. Adams & Jeffrey L. Krutsinger. 2000, Prentice Hall, Inc. ISBN # 0-13-593427-3. Seeking Employment in Criminal Justice and Related Fields, Third Edition. J. Scott Harr & Kären M. Hess. 1999, Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, Publisher. ISBN 0-534-52156-8.The Definitive Guide to Criminal Justice and Criminology On The World Wide Web. The Criminal Justice Distance Learning Consortium. 1999, Prentice Hall Publishers. ISBN 0-13-096251-1.  Top
Grading
	Assignment Possible Points Percent of Final Grade Provide email address 20 2 Personal web page 20 2 16 discussion forums 320 29 Use of web links 40 4 CD-ROM training 100 9 3 at-home exams 300 27 3 on-campus exams 300 27   Grading Scale A 1040-1100 points B 980-1039 points C 920-979 points D 860-919 points F Fewer than 860 points Top
Exams
	Since ELI courses are self-paced, you take exams when you are ready. You must take the on-campus exams at one of the five NVCC campus Testing Centers. See ELI Policies and Procedures for locations and phone numbers and information about proctors for students who live outside the Northern Virginia area. Call the Testing Center before you go to make sure they will be open and will stay open long enough for you to complete the exams. Take along a photo ID and the appropriate Exam Pass.  There are three at-home, open-book exams, and three proctored, on-campus, closed-book exams in this course. Each consists of approximately 50 multiple-choice and true-false questions. The at-home exams will help you prepare for the on-campus exams.  Top
ELI Policies and Procedures
	This is an Extended Learning Institute (ELI) course. ELI courses differ from campus courses in several important ways, including enrollment dates, communication with faculty, assignment completion requirements, and exams. You must follow ELI's policies and procedures if you take this course. Read (or review) ELI's Policies and Procedures before you begin the course.  Top
Contacting the Instructor
	You may contact me through email at llinville@nvcc.edu, by telephone during my campus office hours at (703) 323-3218, or by telephone during my ELI office hours at (703) 323-3347. If I am not in my office or at ELI, please leave a mesage at my office number. You may also call me to schedule a meeting in person, either at ELI or at my campus office in Annandale.  Top
Beginning the Course
	1. Use your web browser to connect to www. nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords. 2. Log on to your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email. 3. Log on to your Blackboard account. 4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments. Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. Top