Los Angeles Valley College Emergency Services Department Syllabus Administration of Justice 5 Criminal Investigation Fall 2015 Section Number 3020 Tuesdays, 6:45 to 9:55 P.M. (1845-2155 hrs.) INSTRUCTOR Mr. B. Hendricks Classroom: Emergency Services Training Building, Room 110 (Formerly LS 110) Student Drop in Hours / Office Hours: ½ hour before the start of class *It is best to make an appointment or call my officer prior to dropping in. Office: Emergency Services Training Building, 112c E-mail: hendriws@lavc.edu Phone: 818-947-2477 COURSE DESCRIPTION CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION: Fundamentals of investigation and the techniques of crime scene recording and search. The collection and preservation of physical evidence, method of operation processes, sources of information, interview and interrogation, follow-up, and case preparation. CLASS SCHEDULE COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is about the fundamentals of criminal investigation and the techniques most often used to search for evidence. REQUIRED TEXT "Criminal Investigation", 4th Edition by Ronald F. Becker, ISBN-13: 978-1449650544, ISBN-10: 1449650546 COURSE CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES I. Criminal Investigation: An a. Goals b. Basic Functions c. Characteristics of an Effective Investigator d. Crime Scene Investigators e. The Follow-up Investigation f. Computer-Aided Investigation g. Major-Case Task Forces II. Documenting the Scene: Note Taking, Photographing and Sketching a. Field Notes b. Investigative Photography: An
c. Types of Investigative Photography d. Identifying, Filing and Maintaining Continuity of e. Crime-Scene Sketches: An f. Computer-Aided Drawing g. Admissibility of Sketches and Drawings in Court III. Searches a. Legal Searches and the Fourth Amendment b. The Exclusionary Rule c. The Crime-Scene Search d. Search Patterns e. Use of Dogs in a Search IV. Forensics/Physical a. Investigative Equipment b. Discovering, Recognizing and Examining c. Collecting, Marking and Identifying d. Packaging & Preserving evidence e. Frequently Examined f. Handling & Infectious Disease g. Protecting & Storing h. Admissibility of in Court i. Final Disposition of V. Obtaining Information a. Sources of Information b. Interviewing & Interrogating c. Questioning Children and juveniles d. Evaluating & Corroborating Information e. Scientific Aids to Obtaining & Evaluating Information f. Use of Psychics & Profilers VI. Identifying and Arresting Suspects a. Identifying Suspects at the Scene b. Developing a Suspect c. Locating Suspects d. Identifying Suspects e. Surveillances, Undercover Assignments & Raids: The Last Resort f. Legal Arrests VII. Death b. Elements of the Crime c. Challenges in d. Discovering & Identifying the Victim e. Estimating the Time of Death f. Unnatural Causes of Death and the Method Used g. Physical h. The Medical Examination i. Death Notification j. Strategies for Reducing Homicide VIII. Assault, Domestic Violence, Stalking and Elder Abuse a. Assault: An c. Elements of the Crime d. Special Challenges in e. Investigating Domestic Violence f. Investigating Stalking g. Investigating Elder Abuse IX. Sex Offenses b. Rape/Sexual Assaults c. Sex Offenses d. Challenges to Investigation e. The Police Response f. Interviewing the Victim g. Prosecution of Rape and Statutory changes h. Civil Commitment of Sex Offenders After Their Sentences are Served i. Sex Offender Registry and Notification X. Crimes Against Children a. The Extent of the Problem c. Terminology d. The Effects of Child Abuse e. Challenges to the Investigation f. The Initial Report g. Interviewing Abused Children h. i. Child Sexual Abuse Rings
XI. Robbery a. Robbery: An b. classification c. Elements of the Crime: Robbery d. Special Challenges In the e. The Complete Investigation f. False Robbery Reports XII. Burglary a. Burglary versus Robbery c. Elements of the Crime: Burglary d. Special Challenges in the e. Precautions for Explosives at the Scene f. Modus Operandi Factors g. Fake Burglaries h. The Offenses of Receiving Stolen Goods i. Preventing Burglary XIII. Larceny/Theft, Fraud, White- Collar and Environmental Crime a. Larceny/Theft: An b. Elements of the Crime: Larceny c. Classification of Larceny/ Theft d. Types of Larceny/Theft e. Fraud f. White-Collar Crime XIV. Motor Vehicle Theft a. Motor Vehicle Identification of Motor Vehicle Theft c. Elements of the Crime d. Motor Vehicle Embezzlement e. Interstate Transportation f. Insurance fraud g. Thefts of Other Types of motor vehicles XV. Arson, Bombs, and Explosives b. Elements of the Crime c. The Model Arson Law d. The Arsonist e. Special Challenges in f. Search Warrants & Fire g. Investigating Bombings & Explosions XVI. Computer Crime a. The Scope of the Problem b. Terminology c. Classification of computer Crimes d. Viruses e. Special Challenges in XVII. Organized Crime, Bias/Hate Crime, and Ritualistic Crime a. Characteristics of Organized Crime b. Major Activities c. The Threat of Specific Organized Crime Groups d. The Decline of Organized Crime e. Motivation for Hate Crimes f. Hate Crime Offenders g. Ritualistic Crime: An h. Symbolism XVIII. Gang-Related Crime a. Gangs Defined b. Extent of Gangs c. Types of Gangs d. Gang Activities e. Identifying Gang Members XIX. Illegal Drugs and Terrorism a. Seriousness & Extent of the Drug Problem of Controlled Drugs c. Clandestine Drug Laboratories d. Drug Asset Forfeiture e. Terrorism: An f. Terrorists as Criminals g. The Local Law Enforcement Response: Investigating Terrorism XXI. Writing Reports, Preparing for and Presenting Cases in Court a. The Importance of Reports b. Organizing Information c. Characteristics of Effective Reports d. Computerized Report Writing e. Closing a Case by Arrest and Prosecution f. Preparing a Case for Prosecution g. The Trial h. Sequence of a Criminal Trial
i. Testifying under Direct Examination j. Testifying under Cross Examination Upon completion of this course the student will be able to: 1. Outline the general principles applying to all police investigations. 2. Develop the ability to properly y investigate specific types of criminal cases. 3. Locate the necessary information for prosecution. 4. Define preliminary and follow-up investigations. 5. Recognize the proper procedures for collection, identification, & examination of evidence. 6. Outline the procedures at the crime scene: examination, photographing, and sketching. 7. Explain the elements of interrogation. 8. Identify sources of information. GRADES Final grades will be based on the student s performance the quizzes, homework, participation, examinations and written assignments. 90-100% =A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, Below 59% = F Make Up Tests are given at the discretion of the instructor. If granted, a Make Up Test will only be given upon arrival after a documented emergency is proven. Quizzes will be typically given at the beginning of class and returned at the end of class. If you are not present at the end of class to collect your quiz, no points will be awarded. Grades will be averages together; five-six tests, one paper and one quiz grade (quiz points are cumulated for a maximum of 100 points). STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES & RULES *CELLULAR PHONE USAGE DURING CLASS IS PROHIBITED.* THE USE OF ELECTRONICS TO RECORD OR PHOTOGRAPH CLASSROOM MATERIAL IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR NOTE TAKING (LAPTOP COMPUTERS) IS PERMITTED. THOSE FOUND USING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR REASONS OTHER THAN NOTE TAKING WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE AND WILL NOT RECEIVE PARTICIPATIOIN CREDIT FOR THAT DAY AND/OR WILL POSSIBLY SUBJECT TO FURTHER DICIPLINARY PROCEDINGS. No Food is NOT Allowed In The Classroom.
Students are responsible to know and follow the "District and College Policies" and "Standards of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Action" as listed in the Los Angeles Valley College Catalog and Schedule of Classes. Adds and Drops: It shall be the student's responsibility to follow the procedures outlined in the L.A. Valley College Catalog and Schedule of Classes. It is the student s responsibility to drop classes. Students should be aware of the last day to drop classes without incurring fees, drop classes with refund of enrollment fees, drop classes without receiving a W and drop classes with a W. Beyond the last date to drop with a W, a letter grade will be issued. State law requires all students whose name appears on an instructor's grade sheet be given a letter grade. Questions, ideas, discussion and participation in class are encouraged. This class welcomes an open forum. All will be heard equally. Respect and consideration of others is required and disparage will not be tolerated. There may be differences of opinion expressed. The views reflected within class are solely of the individual and shall not be reflected upon the school. Cellular phones ringing or the operation of phones in class disturb everyone. If your phone rings or you are caught texting during class, you will be asked to leave and you will not receive credit for attendance. Sleeping, reading other material, studying for other classes, unrelated computing and other disruptive behavior will be subject to discipline. ATTENDANCE Attendance will be taken each class meeting. Students who are late, absent, or leave class early, may be dropped and/or have their final grade affected. After the third absence you receive, you may be dropped. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY This course will follow the college guidelines on this policy. All work submitted in this course must be your own and prepared by you. Cheating or plagiarism will constitute a score of zero on that assignment, referral for discipline and possible expulsion from class. ACCOMMODATIONS If you have specific physical, psychiatric, learning disability or need a special accommodation, please let the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office (818-247-2681) or me know so that we can assist you appropriately. *NOTE: CONTENTS OF THE SYLLABUS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE DISCRESSION OF THE INSTRUCTOR*