Criminal Investigations Syllabus

CJUS 4360

Monday 6:00-8:50

Instructor: Mark Moyle

Contact Information:

TEXT: Criminal Investigations, 11th Edition by Swanson et al.

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Office hours:

I will be available for conferences with students either before or after class and students needing a conference should contact me via email to set up the date and time.

Course Description:

4360. Criminal Investigations. This course will be the study of methods of obtaining and reporting information from the crime scene, victims, witnesses and suspects.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify and apply common principles and procedures in conducting a criminal investigation.
  2. Describe the role of an investigator during a criminal investigation.
  3. Identify and follow all common legal aspects of criminal investigations.
  4. Establish, secure, and document a crime scene
  5. Properly interview and document contact with victims, witnesses, and suspects of criminal investigations.
  6. Properly identify and investigate different types of criminal offenses.
  7. List the elements necessary for major criminal offenses.
  8. Describe the trial process and the role of the investigator as a witness in that process
  9. Identify and discuss the different legal issues related to search and arrest warrants.
  10. Understand the ethical considerations that are encountered in criminal justice.

Class Schedule:

January 14, 2013Chapter 3

Investigators, the Investigative Process, and the Crime Scene

January 21, 2013MLK Holiday

January 28, 2013 Chapter 5

Interviewing and Interrogation

February, 4, 2013Chapter 8

The Crime Laboratory

February 11, 2013Chapter 7

The Follow up Investigation, and Investigative Resources

February 18, 2013Chapter 6

Field Notes and Reporting

February 25, 2013Chapter 10

Sex-Related Offenses

March 4, 2013Chapter 12

Midterm Review

Human Trafficking

March 11, 2013 Spring Break

March 18, 2013Midterm

March 25, 2013 Chapter 13

Robbery

April 1, 2013Chapter 14

Burglary

April 8, 2013 Chapter 15

Larceny-Theft and White Collar Crime

Denton County Sheriff’s Department Jail Tour

April 15, 2013 Chapter 16

Vehicle Thefts and Related Offenses

April 22, 2013 Chapter 22

The Trial Process and the Investigator as a witness

April 29, 2013 Chapter 21

Terrorism

Final Review

May 6, 2013 Final Exam

Grading:

Each student will be tested over course material covered during lecture, discussion, and textbook. The grading scale is as follows:

  • midterm totaling 100 points
  • final exam totaling 100 points

Scale:

200-180= A

179-160=B

159-140= C

139-120= D

119 and below is failing

Absences:

Make up exams will only be allowed in extreme circumstances which will require prompt notification and documentation.

Academic Honesty:

The University of North Texas rule regarding cheating and plagiarism will be strictly enforced.

ADA statement:

The University of North Texas complies with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The University of North Texas provides academic adjustments and auxiliary aids to individuals with disabilities, as defined under the law. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation, please see the instructor and/or contact the Office of Disability Accommodation at 940-565-4323 during the first week of class.

Student Behavior in the Classroom:

Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students’ opportunity to learn in unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom and the instructor may refer the student to the Center for

Student Rights and Responsibilities to consider whether the student’s conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct. The university’s expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including university and electronic classrooms, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be found at