Course Syllabus

Spring 2024 | CRJ-2070-VO02 - Forensics & Crime Scene Investigation

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Duane Tompkins
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Philip Crossman

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the principles of forensics and crime scene investigation with a focus on procedures specific to various crimes, including crimes against persons and property. Students use forensic science techniques to recognize, collect, evaluate, and preserve physical evidence discovered at the crime scene. The course covers courtroom evidence presentation methods, and crime scene problem-solving, sketching, photography, documentation, and searches.

Essential Objectives

1. Identify investigatory procedures used at crime scenes and legal safeguards established to prevent miscarriages of justice.
2. Understand the techniques and procedures for crime scene preservation, witness interviews, intelligence gathering, and management of forensic evidence.
3. Evaluate the role of forensic evidence in a crime scene investigation and in the exoneration of wrongfully convicted persons.
4. Employ appropriate investigative procedures for various crime scenes.
5. Demonstrate crime scene documentation, report writing, evidence presentation, and court room testimony.
6. Evaluate the role of independent investigations of police use of force and parallel investigations by the Department of Justice.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

CRJ-2070-VO02 Link to Textbooks/Resources Information for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

Methods of Instruction

The following are some methods of instruction typically used to facilitate learning in this course:

• Class discussions and discussion boards;
• Practical Exercises related to crime scene investigation,
• Written Assignments;
• Videos that are provided via hyperlinks in the online learning environment;
• Textbooks, handouts, and other materials;
• Sage Vantage exercises

The syllabus provides a general plan for the course and is, therefore, a fluid document. Deviations from this plan may be necessary to accommodate current events and other circumstances.

During the semester, you will work on various projects, such as creating your own mini-crime scene, writing a search warrant based on the mini-crime scene, and writing a police report. Each of these projects contributes toward your assignment grading. Video demonstrations will be provided for some projects.

"We are called to be architects of the future, not the victims."

-R. Buckminster Fuller

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Criteria

· Group Discussions - 45% of the final grade. You are expected to be prepared and ready to participate in the course discussion boards by reading the assigned material. Each week, a class discussion board will be based on the week's assigned readings and/or videos. Your participation adds to class dynamics and is important to your and others' learning experience; therefore, grades are based on the number of substantive replies to peers and your initial discussion.

· Assignments – 20% of final grade – These will demonstrate your ability to present ideas and express your views on the related topics relating to course content.

· Sage Vantage Exercises – 15% of the Final grade.

· Mid-Term and Final Assignment/Project – 20% of the Final grade. Rather than a Mid-Term, you present a mini-crime scene. Your final project will discuss a new trend in criminal investigation techniques or processes.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity