I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Criminal Investigations

2. Course Prefix & Number:
CRJU 2108

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

Internship Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course will cover the methodology of criminal investigations including every facet of the investigation, from the preliminary investigation to the court proceedings. It will also cover evidence recognition, collection, and preservation. There will be a segment devoted to police reports and required Minnesota forms.

5. Placement Tests Required:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Name of Institution	Course Number and Title	Credits
Hibbing College	2595 Criminal Investigations	3

2. Transfer - regional institutions with which this course has a written articulation agreement:

Name of Institution	Date of Acceptance	Discipline/Area/Program of Transfer
Bemidji State University	June 2009	Criminal Justice

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Name of Program(s)	Program Type
Criminal Justice	AAS     Diploma   Certificate

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Interview and interrogation skills

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Apply criminal procedure to criminal investigations;
• Make application to district courts for search warrants;
• Employ search techniques, evidence recovery, and lab analysis to evidence found at crime scenes; and
• Analyze elements of crimes as applicable to specific criminal investigations.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

 

1.     Basic Investigative Responsibilities

• Documenting the Crime Scene
• Writing Effective Reports
• Searches
• Forensics/Physical Evidence
• Obtaining Information and Intelligence

2.    Investigating Violent Crimes

• Death Investigations
• Assault, Domestic Violence, Stalking and Elder Abuse
• Sex Offenses
• Crimes Against Children
• Robbery

3.   Other Challenges to the Criminal Investigator

• Computer Crimes
• A Dual Threat
• Criminal Activities of Gangs and Other Dangerous Groups
• Terrorism and Homeland Security
• Preparing for and Presenting Cases in Court

4.   Investigating Crimes Against Property

• Burglary
• Larceny/Theft, Fraud and White Collar Crime
• Motor Vehicle Theft
• Arson, Bombs and Explosives