Course Syllabus CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
Course Syllabus CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
Course Syllabus CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
COURSE SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Mrs. Jennifer Garcia
Master of Science, Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership, University of San Diego, 2018
Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Forensic Science, Southern Oregon
University, 2009
CONTACT INFORMATION:
EMAIL: [email protected]
VOICEMAIL: (818) 364-7600 Ex. 4873
GOOGLE VOICE: (661) 347-6954
COURSE SCHEDULE:
DATES: February 4 – June 2, 2019
NO CLASS ON: SPRING BREAK: April 15 - 19
LECTURE: Mondays and Wednesdays (7:50am to 9:10am)
LOCATION: Room 104, Sun Valley High School
COURSE TEXTBOOK:
This textbook is required for the class: Criminal Investigation: Law and Practice, Second edition,
Brown, Michael F., 2001, Elsevier. REQUIRED
Other Materials: One College ruled notebook for Journals, or a word processing software
Pens, Pencils, Markers, Highlighters, Ruler, Computer and Internet access
1. Document a basic crime scene using note taking, photography and sketching.
2. Conduct a basic criminal investigation.
3. Apply the law of search and seizure in a criminal investigation.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
• Be prepared for class. “Prepared” meaning the student has completed their assigned work on-time
(or makes prior arrangements with the instructor during an emergency), and is able to
contribute to the class by achieving the course goals.
• PARTICIPATE!!! I recognize this is stressed in many courses, but this course is designed to
develop a sound platform to learn more about the criminal justice community.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:
This is a lecture-based course, so we will rely upon both audible and visual learning theories. The
text will be used during lecture hours, but the reading assignments occur outside of class
hours. Also, supplemental materials may be distributed in class and/or posted upon the class
website.
Students must have access to school library or public library. It is necessary to activate student
identification so that online library access is granted.
PLAGIARISM:
Presenting any published information, words, ideas, or conclusions as one’s own, will not be
tolerated. Students who borrow information from ANY reference material must document their
source. Students who present as their own the material written by others will be reported to the Dean
and penalized. Students WILL NOT cite “Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia” as a
reference. Cheating of any sort will not be tolerated. A grade must be earned, so do your own work.
GRADING:
ASSIGNMENT POINTS
Journal 100
Case Study Paper 50
Mid – Term Exam 100
Investigative Method Paper 50
Final Exam 100
Mock Crime Scene & Sketch 100
In order to calculate your grade, add up the total points you receive and match to grade listed above.
No make-up exams or papers will be given.
Grammar, spelling and flow of content will be considered for your grade on all written assignments.
Please use MLA or APA format.
This paper is to be typed, double spaced, two page minimum, in “Times New Roman or Arial”
font size no larger than 12. No handwritten papers will be accepted! Due online or in class
WEEK 5, Wednesday, March 6th.
2. Examine one aspect or tool of criminal investigation and explain the history, use and
future of this specific method of investigation;
3. Conduct research on the method you chose and an actual case study which used this
method;
4. Write an analysis of an actual case study on how a certain criminal investigation was
This paper is to be typed, double spaced, two page minimum, in “Times New Roman or Arial”
font size no larger than 12. No handwritten papers will be accepted! Due in Class Wednesday
May 2nd.
4
Begins with an introduction that shows some understanding of the
issues and has an adequate point of view
Presents a thoughtful response to the topic, using appropriate
reasoning.
Does a good job defining and describing the topic.
Few errors in grammar and spelling.
Develops the topic showing appropriate details, a sense of orderly
progress between ideas, and use of references that reveal a
familiarity with the topic.
Does a good job constructing the reference page according to APA
formatting with few errors.
Utilizes library research and quotes from outside sources, usually
properly citing them using the APA format.
Ends with a conclusion that clarifies most of the significance of the
paper’s lessons.
2
Begins with an illogical introduction, without a coherent structure or
focus.
Presents a weak response to the topic with no reasoning and no
attempt to define or describe the topic.
Makes enough errors in sentence structure and grammar to cause a
reader serious, if occasional, distraction.
Flow and order of ideas is poorly constructed.
Makes several errors in the proper formatting of APA style reference
pages.
Improper use of APA format for citations. Makes several errors in
quoting in-text sources and uses few sources.
No conclusion
Lacks the minimum requirements of the paper.
1
Does not attempt the basic task of the paper.
Lacks organization and/or detail of topic.
Does not attempt to define or describe the topic.
Contains many distracting errors in sentence structure, grammar and
spelling.
Paper lacks any sense of flow and order of ideas.
Major errors in constructing an APA style reference page.
Major errors in citing in-text sources of information using APA format.
No conclusion.
Does not meet the minimum requirements of the assignment as
noted in the syllabus.
5 4 3 2 1
Introduction
Define and
describe
topic
Grammar
and
punctuation
Flow and
order of
ideas
APA
Reference
page
APA in text
citations
Conclusions
(1)) Mid-Term exam in class on Wednesday March 6th based on chapters covered in our text
book. The test will be made up of 4-8 short answer essay questions. Questions will be created by
the students and taken from the weekly journal entries. The mid-term exam is worth 100 points
toward your grade.
(2) Final exam in class on Wednesday May 29th based on the remaining chapters covered in our
textbook. The test will be made up of 4-8 short answer essay questions. Questions will be created
by the students and taken from the weekly journal entries. The final exam is worth 100 points toward
your grade.
Each week you will keep a journal where you will take notes on your readings, lectures, and
presentations on the many aspects and tools of criminal investigation. In your journal, you will explain
the history, use, and future of each specific methods of investigation.
You are also required to generate question based on your readings that will be used in the final
The instructor will review journals each Wednesday. Missing journal entries will constitute a loss of
points, typically 5-10 points per missing entry.
EXTRA CREDIT: Throughout the semester there may be events, on line discussions, guest
speakers, library seminars/activities, in class that related to our class work and the Criminal Justice
Community at large. I will award 10 points of extra credit to those students who participate in these
events. Keep watching the announcement section on Canvas to see when these events are
available. Students must show proof of attendance. In addition, 10 points extra credit will be
awarded per paper for utilizing assistance at the library or academic resource center. Students must
show proof of services rendered.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
You will not receive a separate grade for attending class. However, experience suggests the
successful student is one that rarely misses class and is both well prepared for and interactive during
class. There are no additional extra-credit assignments that will be offered for missed class
participation assignments. If three classes are missed, I will typically drop you from the class. It is
important that you communicate with me your intentions on finishing the class. Please drop the class
officially if you plan on not completing any of the classwork. If you miss the drop deadline, you could
receive an “F” in the class.
Late to Class:
We will meet at the same time every Monday and Wednesday, so make your necessary
arrangements to arrive on time and be prepared. If you have a problem with making it to class on
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Criminal Justice is a very interesting discipline and it is inevitable that some may find the material
presented, discussed, read, watched, etc., to be offensive. Most of the areas in the Criminal Justice
field address the negative aspects of society. Some material can be unpleasant, uncomfortable and
debated heavily as to what is the best solution. Please understand that no offense is intended, it is
the nature of the subject. Due to class discussion often leading to the sharing of experiences with the
CJ system, recording of lectures is not permitted. Hand out and study material will be posted on the
class Canvas. Also, understand this syllabus may vary due to unforeseen events.
Signature: _____________________________________________
Date: ______________________________