Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Course Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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CJS 2094 - Fundamentals of Criminal Investigations

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab None
Course Description: This course will explore the fundamental principles and procedures employed in the criminal investigation process. Students will examine the various methods and techniques utilized by law enforcement to solve a variety of crimes. Areas of study will include the preliminary and follow-up investigation, crime scene analysis, evidence collection and processing, report writing and preparing a case for prosecution.
MnTC Goals
None

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content
  1. Arson, Bombs and Explosives
  2. Assault, Domestic Violence, Stalking and Elder Abuse
  3. Burglary
  4. Computer Crime
  5. Crimes Against Children
  6. Death Investigations
  7. Documenting the Crime Scene: Note Taking, Photographing and Sketching
  8. Forensics/Physical Evidence
  9. Gang-Related Crime
  10. Identifying and Arresting Suspects
  11. Illegal Drugs and Terrorism
  12. Larceny/Theft, Fraud, and White Collar Crime
  13. Motor Vehicle Theft
  14. Obtaining Information
  15. Organized Crime and Hate Crimes
  16. Robbery
  17. Searches
  18. Sex Offenses
  19. The Role of Investigations in the Criminal Justice System
  20. Writing Reports, Preparing for and Presenting Cases in Court

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course students will be able to:

  1. list the characteristics of an effective investigator.
  2. describe the process involved in preparing a case for prosecution.
  3. differentiate between a preliminary and follow-up investigation
  4. describe the methods used in processing a crime scene.
  5. describe the requirements and process of an effective search.
  6. describe the collection and processing of physical evidence.
  7. identify information gathering, note-taking and report writing techniques.
  8. describe the investigative techniques and technology used in violent crimes.
  9. define the investigative techniques and technology used in property crimes.
  10. examine the investigative techniques and technology used in white collar crimes.
  11. describe the investigative techniques and technology used in organized crime.
  12. define the investigative techniques and technology used in counter-terrorism.

Competency 1 (1-6)
None
Competency 2 (7-10)
None


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