Provides students with a practical working knowledge of criminal investigation principles, techniques, law, and procedures. The investigative process is studied from basic theoretical concepts to the application of elements for prosecution of specific criminal offenses. Includes a study of crime-scene investigation, interrogation, burglary, assault, sex crimes, death cases, homicide and murder, organized crime and terrorism.
Prerequisite: CJAD 101
Proctored Exams: — None
Instructor Information
Bruce McKinnon, MS, Criminal Justice, Columbia College
btmckinnon@cougars.ccis.edu
Textbooks
Lyman, Michael D. Criminal Investigation, The Art and Science: 7th edition. Prentice Custom., 2013. ISBN: 13: 978-0-133-00851-7
MBS Direct offers a Columbia College branded version of this text, ISBN-13: 978-1-269-32171-6
Textbooks for the course may be ordered from MBS Direct. You can order
• online at http://direct.mbsbooks.com/columbia.htm (be sure to select Online Education rather than your home campus before selecting your class)
• by phone at 800-325-3252
For additional information about the bookstore, visit http://www.mbsbooks.com.
Course Overview
Welcome to Criminal Investigation (CJAD-201), online! This course examines the fundamentals of criminal investigation as practiced by police officers on the job. It recognizes that both the uniformed officer and the criminal investigator play important roles in the field of criminal investigation. The student should, upon course completion, understand how police conduct criminal investigations within the framework of the constitution and the practices of a democratic society.
Each week we will focus on different situations, issues, court cases, and problems encountered in criminal investigations. Through our Discussion Assignments, Class-Quizzes, and Dropbox Assignments, we will examine investigative issues, procedures and court decisions that have changed police investigative techniques. These are reinforced and expanded in our readings from the text.
Technology Requirements
Participation in this course will require the basic technology for all online classes at Columbia College:
• A computer with reliable Internet access,
• a web browser,
• Acrobat Reader,
• Microsoft Office or another word processor such as Open Office.
You can find more details about standard technical requirements for our courses on our site.
Course Objectives
• To explain investigative techniques and procedures in criminal justice.
• To explain the roles and functions of uniformed and plainclothes officers in the investigation of criminal offenses.
• To gain experience with common legal framework involved in the investigation of criminal offenses.
• To gain experience with terminology used by professionals in the field of criminal investigation.
• To explain the competing values, theories and concepts involved with Criminal Procedure and to enable the student to apply them to situations involving conflicts between the Government and the individual.
• To enhance critical thinking, research and writing skills in criminal investigation issues.
• To explain contemporary research in the area of criminal investigation.
Measurable Learning Outcomes
• Define criminal investigation as a concept
• Explain the theoretical underpinnings of criminal investigation
• Know the history of criminal investigation
• Describe the processes of inductive and deductive reasoning
• Interpret, recognize and apply important Supreme Court decisions involving the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 14th amendments to the US Constitution.
• Describe current investigative problems and issues.
• Know the steps of the criminal investigative process
• Describe the process and procedures of obtaining and serving warrants.
• Describe the process and procedures of making an arrest.
• Know the constitutional limitations upon criminal investigators.
• Know the constitutional requirements of criminal investigators.
• Appraise current literature, materials and developments regarding criminal investigation.
