Syllabus Criminal Investigation

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

 

 

Course title: Criminal Investigations

Course prefix, number, and section number: CJSA1342  0340

Semester/Year of course: SP24

Semester start and end dates: January 16, 2024 - May 8, 2024

Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Asynchronous online

Class meeting location, days, and times: online

Lab meeting location, days, and times:  n/a

Semester credit hours:  3

Course description:  

Course Description: Investigative theory; collection and preservation of evidence; sources of information; interview and interrogation; uses of forensic sciences; case and trial preparation. 

Course prerequisites:  none

Required course materials:   Criminal Investigation,  Third Edition

                                                    Pearson Revel

 

Name of instructor: Cliff J. Downey

Office location: Gainesville Campus, office no. 2107

Telephone number:  940-668-3313

E-mail address: cdowney@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: Monday thru Thursday 10 am - 2 pm

To meet during hours not listed above, please contact the instructor to schedule an appointment.

 

SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

 

 

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

 

 

List of graded assignments:                     Percentage of final grade

      

Chapter Quizzes                      15             25          

Short, topic, quizzes                75            25

Discussion Forums                   6             10

Investigation Project               1             20

Final Exam                                 1             20   

 

Final grade scale: A  90 - 100

                                B  80 -89

                                C  70 -79

                                D  60 - 69

                                F  Below 60

 

 

 

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.

 

 

COURSE POLICIES

 

Academic Integrity Policy: Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

 Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

  • Removal from course
  • Dismissal from NCTC

Attendance Policy:  Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Withdrawal Policy:  A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is:  April 1, 2024

Student Learning Outcomes:

  1. Define the goals and objectives of criminal investigation
  2. Demonstrate ability to conduct proper crime scene investigations
  3. Illustrate the use of forensic science for various statutory offenses
  4. Organize the criminal case including field notes, reports, crime scene activities, and mandatory documentation of statutory warning 

 

Core Objectives:  REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)

o            Critical Thinking

o           Communication

o           Empirical and Quantitative

o           Teamwork

o           Personal Responsibility

o           Social Responsibility

COLLEGE POLICIES

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.

 

ADA STATEMENT

NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations.  See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.


STUDENT SERVICES

NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students.  See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class.  If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student may contact the chair or coordinator of the division.  If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:  Teresa Laman

Office location:  Suite 170, Office 172

Telephone number:  940-498-6263

E-mail address:  tlaman@nctc.edu

 

Name of Instructional Dean: Debbie Huffman

Office location:  Gainesville Campus, Room 2106

Telephone number:  940- 668- 3357

E-mail address:  dhuffman@nctc.edu