AJ 105: Criminal Investigation

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2022
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Strongly Recommended: ENGL 101.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

Fundamentals of investigation and the techniques of crime scene recording and search. The collection and preservation of physical evidence, modus operandi processes, sources of information, interview and interrogation, follow-up, and case preparation. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Outline the general principles applying to all police investigation
  • Develop the ability to properly investigate specific types of cases
  • Provide information necessary for prosecution
  • Define preliminary and followup investigation
  • Know proper procedures for collection, identification, and examination of evidence
  • Outline the procedures at the crime scene: examination, photographing, and sketching

Major Course Content

  1. Introduction to Investigation

    1. The evolution of criminal investigation and criminalistics

    2. Legal aspects of investigation

  2. The investigation process

    1. Investigators, the investigative process, and the crime scenes

    2. Physical evidence

    3. Interviewing and interrogation

    4. Field notes and reporting

    5. Follow-up investigation

    6. The crime laboratory

  3. Crimes against persons

    1. Injury and death investigation

    2. Sex-related offenses

    3. Crimes against children

    4. Robbery

  4. Crimes against property

    1. Burglary

    2. White-collar crime and larceny

    3. Vehicle thefts and related offenses

    4. Computer Crime

    5. Agricultural, wildlife, and environmental crimes

    6. Arson and Explosives

  5. Drugs, terrorism, and homeland security

    1. Recognition, control, and investigation of drug abuse

    2. Terrorism

  6. The trial process and the investigator as a witness

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Current event articles relating to criminal investigations in newspapers, periodicals, publications.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Report and analyze the elements of criminal investigations in a true crime novel. The report should cover crime scene preservation, evidence collection, due process requirements, search and seizure, and crime scene documentation.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Each student must prepare analysis of three current events that relate to the topic of criminal investigations. The student will share the current event with the class verbally. The current event must come from a credible written source.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture