SYLLABUS CRJS 2423 – Criminal Investigations Summer 2016 Instructor: Elizabeth L. Gilmore Section # and CRN: P01 30982 Office Location: Don K. Clark Building Room 330 Office Phone: 936-261-5234 Email Address: [email protected] Office Hours: Wednesday – 7:30 am – 10:45 am *Additional office hours available as needed by appointment* Mode of Instruction: Face To Face Course Location: Don K. Clark Building Room 235 Class Days & Times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10:30am -12:55pm Catalog Description: Credit 3 semester hours. A survey of scientific crime detection methods, the identification and presentation of evidence, instrumentation, and crime report writing. Prerequisites: TSIA complete Co-requisites: None Required Texts: Dutelle, A. (2016). An Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. ISBN 978-1284108149. Student Learning Outcomes: Program Core Curriculum Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: Learning Outcome Outcome # Alignment Alignment 1 Understand the duties of the first responder to the crime scene, including 3 Critical Thinking specialized safety and methodological processing. 2 Understand the various types of physical evidence and methods of processing and 3 Critical Thinking collection including; fingerprint evidence, trace evidence, and bloodstain pattern analysis. 3 Be able to successfully identify the three main classes of fingerprints, as well as 3 Communication subcategories within each class. 4 Have an understanding of handling collection of evidence at specialized scenes, 3 Communication including death and arson investigations. 5 Understand ethical concerns in crime scene investigations 3 Personal Responsibility 6 Be able to critically evaluate media as well as courtroom presentation of scientific 3 Critical Thinking evidence. 1 Major Course Requirements Method of Determining Final Course Grade Course Grade Requirement Exams (5) 50 points each 250 Points Writing Assignment (1) 100 Points Attendance and Participation 50 Points Total Points Possible 400 Points Grading Criteria and Conversion: A = 100-90% 400 – 360 Points B = 89-80% 359 – 320 Points C = 79-70% 319 – 280 Points D = 69-60% 279 – 240 Points F = 59 and below 239 – 0 Points Detailed Statement of Major Grade Components: Exams: Exams will be administered each week, and will cover the chapters lectured for that week. See semester calendar for exam dates. Exams will consist of multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, and/or short answer. Students are required to supply a scantron for each exam. As this is a summer class, which moves at a very quick pace, makeup exams will ONLY be given in cases of extreme emergency with documented proof. Each exam is worth 50 possible points Writing Assignment: In the past decade, criminal investigations and those employed in the field doing “crime scene investigations” have become overwhelmingly popular in mainstream media and television. The use of scientific evidence as a method of solving cases has become a source of public fascination, with shows like CSI and NCIS topping charts and breaking records for most popular shows in history. For this writing assignment, you must randomly select SIX episodes of the popular TV series “Forensic Files” and carefully watch each episode. Forensic Files aired from 1996 – 2011 and produced several hundred episodes in it’s 14 seasons, so it is anticipated that very few students will view the same episodes. Typically, each episode of Forensic Files is approximately 30 minutes long, although there are several 1 hour-long specials. Students must view a total of SIX episodes regardless of length of time of each episode. Episodes are currently available on Netflix, Youtube, and reruns are frequently broadcast on TruTV. Students must provide the name of each episode viewed. In addition, while viewing each film, students must carefully track the following information: The initial crime committed (homicide, robbery, sexual assault, etc.) The main investigators in the case and their role in the investigation The evidence available at the scene (blood stain, hair, fingerprints, etc.) The evidence processed at the lab, and the technique used for processing The outcome of the case (acquittal, conviction, other) The race and sex of the victim (if applicable) The race and sex of the offender (if applicable) This information must be tracked and placed on a word document and will count for half (50 points) of this assignment. Upon collecting this information, students must utilize critical thinking skills to provide an overall summary of the 2 episodes they have watched and the content they have analyzed and make meaningful connection and reach conclusions. Some questions to think about may include: Are there any trends in the types of crimes featured in the episodes watched? What were the various methods of evidence collection and analysis? Are such methods still currently used today? How crucial of a role did scientific evidence play in the case? Were the offender and victim typically known to one another or were the crimes featured typically “stranger crimes?” Did the episode discuss the total length of time for the completion of the investigation? Did the viewer observe any trends in victim gender/race and or offender gender/race? How do shows like Forensic Files contribute to the public’s understanding of crime scene investigations? This summarization will count as half (50 points) of this assignment. This assignment MUST be typewritten and submitted via taskstream. The writing assignment is due on July 5 at 11:59 PM. No late assignments will be accepted. The writing assignment is worth 100 total points. Please note: the writing assignment will be graded on not only content and the ability of the student to concisely and accurately answer the question(s) asked, but also on grammar and punctuation. Participation: Class attendance, to be taken at the start of class by the instructor. Course participation will also be recorded and calculated as half (25 points) of the possible grade. Semester Calendar 3 Week 1: 6/6 – 6/9 Monday – Course Introduction, Syllabus Review, Chapters 1 & 2 Tuesday – Chapter 3 & 4 Wednesday – Chapters 5, 6, & 7 *Review for Exam One* Thursday **Exam One** Week 2: 6/13 – 6/16 Monday – Chapter 8 Tuesday – Chapter 9 Wednesday – Chapter 10 **Review for Exam Two** Thursday **Exam Two** Week 3: 6/20 – 6/23 Monday – Chapter 11 Tuesday – Chapter 12 Wednesday – Chapter 13 **Review for Exam Three** Thursday **Exam Three** Week 4: 6/27 – 6/30 Monday – Chapter 14 Tuesday – Chapter 15 **Review for Exam Four** Wednesday - ** Exam 4** Thursday – Writing Assignment Review Week 5: 7/5 – 7/7 Monday ***NO CLASS JULY 4th** Tuesday – Chapter 16 **Writing Assignment Due** Wednesday – Chapter 17 & 18 Thursday **Paper Day** Final Exam – 7/11 During Normal Class Time 4 Student Support and Success John B. Coleman Library The library and its partners have as their mission "to provide resources and instructional material in support of the evolving curriculum, as a partner in Prairie View A&M University's mission of teaching, research, and service" and to support the University's core values of "access and quality, diversity, leadership, relevance, and social responsibility" through emphasis on ten key areas of service. It maintains library collections and access both on campus, online, and through local agreements to further the educational goals of students and faculty. Center for Academic Support The Center for Academic Support (CAS) offers Tutoring via peer tutoring. The services include workshops (i.e., Save My Semester, Recalculate Your Route), seminars (i.e., Tools You Can Use: TI-84), group review sessions (i.e., College Algebra Topic Reviews, GRE Preparation), group study opportunities (i.e., TSIA, HESI, Study Break, Exam Cram), and test-taking strategies (How to take Notes, Study Buddy, 5 Day Study Guide). The Tutoring Center is a nationally certified tutoring program through the National Tutoring Association. The peer tutors are trained and certified by the coordinator each semester. Location: J.B. Coleman Library. COMPASS The Center for the Oversight and Management of Personalized Academic Student Success (COMPASS) is designed to help Prairie View students in their second year and beyond navigate towards graduation by providing the following services: Academic Advisement, Targeted Tutorials for Personalized Learning, Campus- Wide Referrals, and Academic & Social Workshops. Location: J.B. Coleman Library. Writing Center The Writing Center provides student consultants on all aspects of the writing process and a variety of writing assignments. Writing Center consultations assist students in such areas as prewriting, brainstorming, audience awareness, organization, research, and citation. Location: Hilliard Hall 121. University Rules and Procedures Disability statement (See Student Handbook): Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in class should register with the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) early in the semester so that appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal laws, a student requesting special accommodations must provide documentation of their disability to the SSD coordinator. Academic misconduct (See Student Handbook): You are expected to practice academic honesty in every aspect of this course and all other courses. Make sure you are familiar with your Student Handbook, especially