Fall 2011
INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
CRJU 2005
COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: Sheriff Larry Waller
Office location: 121 Roberta Drive
Barnesville, GA 30204
Email address: lwaller@gdn.edu
Office phone number: (770) 358-5159
Office hours: By Appointment
Textbook: Gilbert, James M. (2007). Criminal Investigations (2007) (8th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ.
ISBN-13: 978- 0-13- 500560-6
Course Number: CRN: 839Course Name: Introduction to Criminal
Investigation
Course classroom Instructional Complex Rm. IC 209
Monday evening 6:00- 8:45P
Credit hours: 3 quarter hours
Prerequisite: CRJU 1100 or instructor approval
MISSION:
The Mission of Gordon College, is to:
1. Prepare students for transfer into and success in baccalaureate and professional degree programs through the college transfer program;
2. Prepare students for entry into and success in specific occupations and careers especially demanded by the surrounding community through appropriate Associate and Baccalaureate programs;
3. Strengthen the academic skills of students otherwise unprepared for entry-level college work through the Learning Support program; and
4. Serve the community by providing opportunities for life-long learning and professional development through community service programs
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This class is designed to develop an analytical understanding of the criminal investigative process by merging theoretical and proven practical aspects of crime detection and solution.
COMPETENCY AREAS:
At the end of the course a student that commits to five hours per week of diligent study will have a basic competency in each of the areas listed below.
- Basic Criminal procedure, Evidence collection and preservation, Evidence admissibility, and Search warrants
- Historical origins, basic concepts, methods, and reporting
- Crime scenes, interviewing and interrogation, information sources, computer aided investigation
- Specific criminal offenses
- Narcotics and drug offenses
- Domestic violence, Organized crime, Hate crimes, Arson
- Suspect identification, court appearances
- The future of criminal investigation
OBJECTIVES:
Understand evidence collection, preservation, admissibility, criminal procedure
Understand the historical context of investigation
Define the investigative process from starting to reporting
Understand crime scene investigation, interviews and interrogations, and information
Understand burglary, robbery, homicide and aggravated assault, rape and sex crimes,
larceny and drug offenses
Understand gang investigations, domestic violence, hate crimes, organized crime, arson
Understand fingerprinting, voice stress analysis, eyewitness identification
Methods of Instructional Delivery:
This course is presented utilizing traditional delivery methods.
Attendance:
Students are expected to be punctual and attend all classes, exams and other meetings as required by each course’s schedule or as indicated in the course syllabus. THERE ARE NO EXCUSED ABSENCES. ALL ABSENCES COUNT EQUALLY REGARDLESS OF THE REASON. Students are responsible for all material covered in classes missed.
Quality of Student Work : Use of proper grammar, correct spelling, and writing principles are expected in all work. Full credit will not be granted for work that contains grammar or spelling errors. All papers must be typed and adhere to rules of the American Psychological Association (APA format).
If you do not understand APA find an APA Handbook.
Evaluation: The following grading scale will be utilized in the determination of the student’s course grade.
Percentage of Points Earned Corresponding Letter Grade
90 to 100% A
80 to 89% B
70 to 79% C
60 to 69% D
0 to 59% F
The student’s knowledge of the material presented in this course will be evaluated based on the satisfactory completion of all assigned work. The student will also be examined on his/her knowledge of the objectives outlined in each lesson, as presented in the Projected Learning Schedule, which is an integral part of this Syllabus.
Examinations: A mid-term examination and comprehensive final examination will be given over the course of the quarter. The exams will consist of fill in the blank questions. The mid-term exam will count as 33.33% of the final grade and the final exam will also count as 33.33% of the student’s final grade as well. Examinations may not be made up except under exigent circumstances as approved by the instructor. Students are expected to discuss these issues with the instructor in advance of the examinations. There can be no change in the date of the final exam.
HOMEWORK: IF YOU DO NOT READ THE TEXT YOU WILL PROBABLY NOT PASS THIS COURSE.
PROJECT
Each student will select a topic from the index on page 529 of the text and prepare a 6-8 page paper on that topic.
The following rules apply to this project:
1. All papers are due on October 17
2. Assignments will be made for presentation dates
3. The original must be turned in via email (No hard copies) on October 17 and the student must keep a copy.
4. Papers must be on time; be 6-8 full pages,12 font,1” margins; use proper grammar, correct spelling and punctuation; written in APA style.
5. Wikipedia is not to be used as a source.
6. At least 6 sources must be cited.
7. Not over three internet sources may be used. The CRJU2005 text may be used for one book source.
11. Every paragraph must show at least one in-text citation and all projects will be evaluated for plagiarism using Turnitin. Paraphrasing the authors' work without cites is plagiarism.
PROJECT GRADE
The following criteria will be used:
Content 30%
On time 30%
Number of pages 30%
Sources
Bibliography & cites 10%
There will be no partial credit given for on time and number of pages. The project counts 33.33% of the final grade.
FINAL AVERAGE BREAKDOWN:
Project 33.33%
Mid-Term Exam 33.33%
Final-Exam: 33.33%
FOR EACH ABSENCE THERE WILL BE A 1% DEDUCTION FROM FINAL.
REMEDIATION/ENRICHMENT: Computer labs and tutoring assistance are available for students’ use. If you need additional help from the instructor, please feel free to ask. Your ability to learn and apply the material provided in this course is our number one priority. We want you, the student, to be successful. Please do not be afraid to ask for help, and please take advantage of the resources available to you.
The publishers of the text have included relevant End-of-Chapter Web sites and exercises. Students must read and study the text. Class time will be spent exploring new concepts, practical exercises, power points, and student participation. Examination questions will be drawn from outside study material as well as lecture notes. IF A STUDENT FAILS TO READ AND STUDY THE TEXT HE OR SHE WILL PROBABLY BE UNABLE TO PASS THIS COURSE.
SPECIAL EVENTS: On occasion criminal justice professionals may speak with our classes about their respective fields. In the event that a guest speaker is scheduled, all students are expected to dress in a professional manner. Cot-off jeans, shorts, t-shirts, and/or flip-flops are unacceptable. Any student who does not comply with this request will be asked to leave and change into appropriate attire. This policy will also apply in the event that the class participates in any educational field trips.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AND PLAGIARISM
Any act of academic dishonesty by a student may result in a grade of F or zero for the relevant assignment. An act of academic dishonesty may also result in one or more of the following consequences:
1. A failing grade for the course;
2. Charges filed against a student for violation of the Student Code of Conduct as described in the catalog and/or other measures as deemed appropriate by the instructor.
3. Every paragraph must contain at least one in-text citation. If it is not your own original thought you must cite the source every time. Paraphrasing the authors words is NOT your own thought.
In any profession especially in Law Enforcement, ethical behavior is mandatory. We are held to a higher standard than the average citizen and each officer should always behave in a manner that will be recognized as a credit to the profession. He voluntarily swears an Oath of Office that assures that his actions are above reproach and he must always refrain from any activity that may have even the appearance of impropriety.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY: Safety is a major concern for any chosen field of study. It is imperative that you become familiar with basic safety precautions and procedures to ensure the well being of you and your colleagues.
Cell Phone Policy:
All cellular phones and electronic devices must be turned off and placed in a pocket, purse, or book bag during class. An audible cellular phone serves to disrupt the academic environment. Students who answer cellular telephone calls during class will be excused for the remainder of the class. Text messaging during class is forbidden. Exceptions may be granted only at the discretion of the instructor. Students must discuss this with the instructor prior to any class. Cell phones are NOT to be used as calculators during exams.
Laptop Computers are not allowed during class sessions. They are encouraged as a learning tool but must be turned off during instructional periods.
PROJECTED LEARNING SCHEDULE
WEEK #1: 15 Aug. Orientation & Introduction (1st.Class)
WEEK #2: 22 Aug. Introduction, Chapter 1-2
WEEK #3: 29 Aug. Chapter 2-3-4
WEEK #4 5 Sep. LABOR DAY
WEEK #5: 12 Sep. Chapter 4-5
WEEK #6: 19 Sep. Chapter 5-6
WEEK #7: 26 Sep. Chapter 6-7
WEEK #8: 3 Oct. MID TERM EXAM
WEEK #9: 10 Oct. FALL BREAK
WEEK #10: 17 Oct. Chapter 8-9 TURN IN PROJECTS
WEEK #11: 24 Oct. Chapter 9-10
WEEK #12: 31 OCT. Chapter 10-11
WEEK #13: 7 Nov. Chapter 11-12
WEEK #14: 14 Nov. Chapter 12-13
WEEK #15: 21 Nov. Chapter 13-14 (Tksgiving holiday Nov.23-25)
WEEK #16: 28 Nov. Chapter 14-15
WEEK #17: 5 Dec. Chapter 15 (Last class)
Final Exam as scheduled Dec. 7 Wednesday (7:15pm- 9:15pm)
Students should note that this is a projected schedule and is subject to change.
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