Course | Madison College Outline of Instruction

10504123Criminal Investigation Theory

Course Information

Description

Students learn how to recognize, process and preserve physical evidence. Students learn of law enforcement's response to a victim of crime including the dynamics of victimization and victim's rights, and integrate professional communication with law enforcement's responsibilities to victims. Students also learn the statutory elements of each of the sensitive crimes and the dynamics, impacts and investigative strategies unique to them. Meets LESB performance objectives.

Total Credits

Course Competencies

Analyze the importance of evidence in criminal investigations

Assessment Strategies

by critiquing two case studies

Criteria

you defend yourself from a simulated accusation where the accuser has no evidence

case study includes one where the evidence chain was in place

case study includes one where the evidence is not in place

you articulate the principles of evidence collection

you apply the rules of evidence

you describe the various types of physical evidence
Process a crime scene

Assessment Strategies

by processing a mock crime scene

Criteria

you evaluate current legal ramifications of crime scene searches

you discuss the upcoming search with personnel

you select, when feasible, person-in-charge prior to arriving on scene

you control the scene and keep out unauthorized persons

you make a careful approach of the scene

you secure and protect the scene

you initiate a preliminary survey

you conduct a final survey

you release the scene only after the final survey
Handle evidentiary items

Assessment Strategies

by handling simulated evidence from a mock crime scene

Criteria

you take control of the scene on arrival

you mark evidence location on diagram / sketch

you ensure that the evidence or container is initialed by the investigator collecting the evidence

you seal all evidence containers at the crime scene

you do not handle items excessively

you do not guess on packaging requirements - different types of evidence can necessitates different containers

you always wear gloves

you allow wet or damp evidence to dry before sealing

you assume that any relatively smooth area that your gloves touch will destroy identifiable latent prints

you avoid unnecessary writing of marking on surfaces to be processed for latent prints

you use a pencil for marking porous items

you avoid taping or sticking labels on the surfaces to be processed for latent prints

you maintain a chain of custody form
Document a crime scene

Assessment Strategies

by documenting a mock crime scene

by sketching a mock crime scene

Criteria

you prepare a narrative description

you do not permit the narrative to degenerate into a sporadic and unorganized attempt to recover physical evidence

you document first - collect second (under most circumstances)

you begin photography as soon as possible

you ensure a progression of overall, medium and close-up photos is established

you use a photographic log, a scale when needed, and take photos from eye-level

you prepare a diagram or sketch of the scene

you represent the scene in a "general to specific" scheme

you make a rough sketch (normally not to scale) to use as a model for a finished sketch

the rough sketch includes specific location

the rough sketch date, time, case identifier, and preparer

the rough sketch weather and lighting conditions

the rough sketch scale or scale disclaimer (as appropriate)

the rough sketch compass orientation

the rough sketch evidence locations

the rough sketch measurements

the rough sketch a key or legend
Outline the unique investigative issues for crimes against life

Assessment Strategies

by creating an outline

Criteria

outline includes a description of the factors required to determine whether a crime was committed (where is victim, is death accidental, natural causes, or intentional)

outline includes a description of the unique physical evidence in crimes against life (victim as physical evidence, method, means, manner)

outline includes a description of the appropriate procedures for death investigation (the roles of law enforcement, coroner, scene management and release, autopsy, death notification)
Investigate a death

Assessment Strategies

by investigating a simulated death in class

by writing a report that analyzes the steps and processes in a actual death investigation on

Criteria

you determine if a crime has been committed

you identify the evidence

you collect the evidence

you preserve the evidence

report includes a determination of whether a crime was committed in a simulated death in class

report includes a description of how the evidence was identified

report includes a description of how the evidence was collected

report includes a description of how the evidence was preserved
Assist a crime victim

Assessment Strategies

by assisting a person role-playing the victim of a crime in class

Criteria

you define victimization

you explain the various reactions and injuries from victimization

you explain an officer's initial response in contacting crime victims

you assess the medical and safety needs

you demonstrate a professional response when assisting crime victims (professional communication, conflict resolution, crisis intervention, empathy, respect, dignity).
Apply the Wisconsin Statutes (Chap 950) to victims and witnesses of a crime

Assessment Strategies

by coming to the scene of a simulated crime and interacting with victims

by coming to the scene of a simulated crime and interacting with witnesses

Criteria

your application of statute 950 includes the explanation of the rights of victims of crime

your application of statute 950 accounts for the dentification of the process and remedies for violation of victim rights

your application of statute 950 includes a demonstration of appropriate law enforcement response to victims in simulated a exercise

your application of statute 950 includes the explanation of the rights witnesses of crime

your application of statute 950 includes a demonstration of appropriate law enforcement response to witnesses in simulated a exercise
Interview a victim, child and adult

Assessment Strategies

by interviewing a person role-playing an adult victim of a crime in class

by interviewing a person role-playing a child victim of a crime in class

Criteria

you identify issues of victimization as applicable to the interview

you demonstrate interviewing a variety of victims in simulated exercise (Alzheimer, children, developmentally challenged, different ethnicity then officer)
Analyze the role of law enforcement in responding to domestic abuse

Assessment Strategies

by responding to a class discussion on domestic abuse

Criteria

you define domestic abuse and the elements requiring arrest (968.075)

you explain the unique offender/victim relationship in domestic violence situations (Include information on elder abuse, implications for child abuse, and same sex relationships)

you describe the power differential and its effect on the offender/victim relationship (Include information on police officer domestic abuse and on recantation)
Intervene and apply appropriate investigative strategies in domestic abuse situations

Assessment Strategies

by responding in a domestic abuse role-play

Criteria

you control a crisis situation

you defuse an escalating situation

you intervene when necessary

you apply appropriate investigative strategies.

you explain to those at the scene procedures and notification from a DV arrest (72-hour no contact, restraining orders, no contact order, full faith and credit).

you identify multidisciplinary resources available to assist persons involved

you identify related crimes (harassment, stalking).

you assess risk for a victim
Analyze the role of law enforcement in responding to sexual abuse

Assessment Strategies

by responding to a class discussion on sexual abuse

Criteria

you define sexual abuse and the elements requiring arrest (940.225).

you describe unique dynamics of sensitive crime victimization. (Include date rape and statutory rape situations, other victim/offender relationships.)
Demonstrate investigative techniques in a simulated sexual assault case

Assessment Strategies

by responding in a sexual abuse role-play

Criteria

you identify the unique obstacles to interviewing a sexual assault victim (includes victimization issues as well as rape drugs or AODA issues)

you demonstrate appropriate interviewing techniques for sexual assault victims

you identify what physical evidence should be collected and what limitations exist on physical evidence collection

you explain the implementation of the forensic medical exam and the proper use of the sexual assault evidence kit (for victims and suspects)

you describe importance of corroborative statements
Identify other resources that can assist in sexual assault cases (eg, Probation and Parole, Registered Sex Offender database, Behavioral Unit FBI, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) nurses, Rape Crisis centers)

Assessment Strategies

by responding to a class discussion on other resources that can be utilized in assist the victims of sexual abuse

Criteria

you identify other resources that can assist in sexual assault cases (e.g., Probation and Parole, Registered Sex Offender database, Behavioral Unit FBI, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) nurses, Rape Crisis centers)