30-504-506Overview of Investigations
Course Information
Description
Through classroom lecture, on-campus lab, and WI Department of Justice 720 Academy integration exercises students will learn and apply skills addressed in the following Department of Justice 720 Academy curriculum framework Phase I topics: Constitutional Law I, Crimes I, Interviews, and Report Writing I. The DOJ Phase I Written Examination will be administered in this course.
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies
  1. I.Q.1. Review the structure of the criminal justice system.
    Assessment Strategies
    showing the structure of the criminal justice system
    Criteria
    discuss the three branches of government (executive, legislative and judicial) and the separation of powers between all the branches
    discuss the units within the criminal justice system
    list examples of agencies within each unit of the criminal justice system
    explain how various criminal justice units are related
    explain how the units flow within the criminal justice system

  2. I.Q.2. Identify situations where constitutional rules are applicable.
    Assessment Strategies
    list examples of violations for each amendment
    Criteria
    list at least two violations for each amendment
    list the elements that must be met for each violation

  3. I.Q.3. Identify situations where an officer may use reasonable suspicion to contact a subject.
    Assessment Strategies
    case study
    Criteria
    describe the elements of the case that meet the standard of reasonable suspicion to make a “stop”
    list the steps they would take as the officer to make the contact, what conversation they would have, how they would obtain identification, how long the contact should last and any limits on officer control of the subject’s movements
    describe the scope of the frisk relevant to a Terry stop

  4. I.Q.4. Identify the elements of a lawful arrest.
    Assessment Strategies
    develop probable cause for violations based on the case study/scenario
    Criteria
    describe the elements of the case that meet the standards for probable cause to make an arrest
    explain the type of search they can perform on a person who is arrested
    identify the procedure for making an arrest with and without a warrant (depending on the group’s case study/scenario)
    determine the extent of force that may be used when making the arrest with or without a warrant
    explain the jurisdiction of the arresting officer and where the arrest can occur based on the group’s case study

  5. I.Q.5. Identify the legal requirements for obtaining confessions and statements.
    Assessment Strategies
    outline key points of a Miranda vs. Arizona case study
    Criteria
    outline the key elements of the Miranda case
    outline the key elements of the Miranda decision
    specify the key rules for police interrogations laid out by the Miranda ruling
    outline the key Supreme Court decisions that have modified or further interpreted the original Miranda ruling
    outline the key Supreme Court decisions that have extended additional protections to juveniles

  6. I.Q.6. Analyze the relationship between law enforcement actions and the admissibility of evidence in court.
    Assessment Strategies
    outline of evidence violations
    Criteria
    outline includes at least seven types of evidentiary rule violations

  7. I.R.1. Identify basic concepts of criminal law.
    Assessment Strategies
    determine the elements of crimes described in written scenarios
    Criteria
    compare the facts of a given case to the specific elements of the crime
    identify the crime committed and list the facts that support each element of that crime

  8. I.H.1. Examine the fundamentals of interviews.*
    Assessment Strategies
    conduct a basic interview
    Criteria
    describe that a good interviewer is inquisitive, observant, energetic, good communicator, good problem solver, and patient
    explain that the goal of an interview is to find out as much relevant information as possible about an event while also putting the victim or witness at ease
    explain that interviews tend to be friendly, loosely structured, and non-confrontational
    take good field notes during the interview
    get as much information on the person as possible during the interview (where did the interview take place, what is the person’s basic contact information, what clothing were they wearing, describe the person’s demeanor and tone, etc.)

  9. I.H.2. Conduct interviews. *
    Assessment Strategies
    conduct an interview with a victim and witness
    Criteria
    Preparation and Planning
    explain that they need to understand and know their agency policy on interviewing victims/witnesses
    provide any support or address any victim/witness needs prior to the interview
    determine what format to use during the interview (recorded, structured, unstructured, more than one interview needed, etc.)
    minimize distractions at the location of the interview
    Engage and Explain
    introduce self, provide instructions, and explain the procedure for the interview
    encourage the victim/witness to take an active role in the interview rather than only answering questions
    Account Clarification and Challenge
    ask the victim/witness to explain what happened, in their own words, with minimal interruptions
    after the victim/witness provides a narrative, follow up with relevant, probing questions
    Closure
    review notes and other materials for completeness and accuracy
    ask the victim/witness if there is anything he/she wants to add
    encourage the victim/witness to contact them if he/she has more information in the future
    thank the victim/witness for his/her cooperating and closes the interview
    Evaluation
    examine whether the goals and objectives for the interview were achieved
    review the investigation in light of the information obtained during the interview
    reflect upon how well they conducted the interview and consider what improvements could be made in the future
    explain that they must follow their agency policy and procedures for documenting victim/witness interviews (follow instructors guidance for this PAT)
    describe additional techniques for interviewing various types of victims/witnesses (friendly, neutral, interested, hostile, child victim/witnesses, vulnerable victim/witnesses, traumatized victims)
    describe eyewitness identification best practices

  10. I.P.1. Explain the context of law enforcement report writing.
    Assessment Strategies
    explain characteristics of a good law enforcement report
    Criteria
    list the internal and external audiences who read law enforcement reports
    discuss arrest reports, offense reports, information reports, protective custody reports, and emergency detention reports
    identify that they must include the 5 W’s (+2Hs), elements of the crime, identifying information, observations at the scene, and directions for follow up in law enforcement reports
    explain that reports should exclude opinions, editorials, assumptions and identifying information on confidential informants in law enforcement reports

  11. I.P.2. Take effective field notes.
    Assessment Strategies
    interview an individual in a simulated environment
    recording interview information
    Criteria
    participate in a discussion about what field notes are and explain what purpose they serve
    participate in a discussion explaining how to take good/accurate field notes
    document conditions during the interview
    document observations of the individual during the interview
    write down direct quotes

  12. I.P.3. Describe elements of effective law enforcement reports. *
    Assessment Strategies
    write a narrative for a report from field notes
    Criteria
    review field notes
    make a rudimentary outline
    organize documents
    follow a format in their report to make the report east to read/follow
    use the first person writing style, using ordinary words making sure they know the meaning of the words they use
    ensure facts are accurate
    ensure the elements of the crime are fulfilled
    include direct quotes if applicable
    ensure the report is grammatically correct, clear, and complete
    ensure the report avoids law enforcement jargon
    ensure the narrative paints a picture of the incident and is specific and detailed

  13. I.P.4. Describe what information should be included in certain types of reports. *
    Assessment Strategies
    writing a Use-of-Force Report
    writing a Crimes Against Property Report
    writing a Crimes Against Persons Report
    writing a Probable Cause Affadavit
    Criteria
    Use-of-Force Report:
    explain why good use-of-force reports are important
    explain how serious the crime was
    explain that there was an imminent threat (to the officer or the public) and explain what the threat was
    explain what the level of resistance (if any) there was and/or explain if the suspect tried to flee
    include approach considerations, intervention options, and follow-through considerations in the report
    Crimes Against Property Report:
    include the 5 W’s (+2 H’s – How and How Much) in the report
    include the elements of the crime
    include identifying information of the suspect(s) and property in question
    include observations at the scene
    include directions for follow-up
    do not include options, editorials, assumptions, or identifying information on confidential informants
    Crimes Against Person(s):
    describe the scene
    describe any injuries
    document witness statements and contact information
    document every individual’s spontaneous statements/excited utterances
    document every individual’s demeanor (including children)
    document any attempt made by a suspect to intimidate the victim or manipulate the interview
    document any evidence collected
    document the victim’s rights information given and information regarding community resources/safety planning
    Probable Cause Affidavit:
    outline the factual justification for why a judge should consent to an arrest or search warrant
    outline the factual justification for why an arrest was made during a crime-in-progress
    state the various facts leading up to the decision to arrest or search the suspect
    show that it is more than likely that a crime took place and specific items and people involved in the crime are likely to be found at a certain place at a certain time
    written statement, made under oath, establishes probable cause beyond suspicion