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 of evidence. There will be a segment devoted to peace officer reports and required Minnesota forms.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

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	February 2023	Criminal Justice
St. Cloud State University

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
Natural Resources Law Enforcement	AAS
Criminal Justice	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
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Students will be able to process a crime scene in chronological order.

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;
• Students will be able to apply decision making skills resulting in an in-custody arrest;
• Provide interview techniques necessary for living in and working effectively in a racial heterogeneous society;
• Discuss 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