Crime Scene Investigation - Admissions



Crime Scene Investigation

Fall 2011

CJ 314, Wednesdays 4-6:20

Smith Hall 416

Instructor: Kerrie Cathcart, MSFS, MSCJ

kerrie_cathcart@

Required Text: Gardner, R. M. (2005). Practical Crime Scene Processing &

Investigation. CRC Press: Boca Raton.

Office Hours: By appointment only. Please e-mail me or see me after class to

make one.

Prerequisite: CJ 211, Introduction to Law Enforcement

Computer Req.: All students must have access to a computer in order to receive

e-mails. Lectures will be posted on Blackboard for student viewing & downloading.

Course Description: This three credit course will provide the student with an overall knowledge of how to process and investigate a crime scene. Students will learn the importance of physical evidence and actions that must be taken by the first responding officer and crime scene investigator.

Course Objectives:

• Know the role of the first responding officer

• Understand the nature of physical evidence

• Understand proper crime scene processing methodology

• Explain crime scene photography, sketching, and

documentation

• Discuss and know when to apply certain crime scene search methodologies

• Have knowledge of latent print processing, casting, bullet

trajectory analysis, and other evidence recovery techniques

Exams & Grading: 1. There will be three non-cumulative, exams each worth 100 points. The exam format will be multiple choice and true/false. The exam will be based on material covered in class and assigned reading from the book.

2. I reserve the right to give quizzes at any time based on student participation. Quizzes will be based on the chapter assigned that day of class and will be worth 10 points each.

3. Homework will also be given sporadically throughout the semester and will be worth 15 points each.

Grading Scale: A: 90-100%

B: 80-89%

C: 70-79%

D: 60-69%

F: 59% and below

Course & Classroom Rules

1. Students should attend and participate in class. A student should recognize that one of the most important aspects of a college education is classroom attendance and participation.  The value of this part of the academic experience cannot be fully measured by testing procedures.  You should attend all classes.

2. When students attend classes, they are in a position to make significant contributions to their learning experiences and the learning experiences of other students by asking relevant questions, making pertinent observations, and sharing information.  When a student misses class, the student and the class both suffer from a missed opportunity to exchange information and promote the learning process. 

3. Students will be held accountable for all requirements and information covered in all classes, whether or not they attend.  If it becomes necessary to give additional quizzes to spur attendance or learning, quizzes may be given and their results applied to any test scores.

4. If a student comes late to take an examination their paper will be taken when the assigned test conclusion time is reached, the student will not receive an extension to complete the examination. During testing sessions, once any student has completed the test and left the classroom no student will be allowed to take the test and any student who comes to take the test after a student has left the classroom will receive a zero for the examination/quiz.

5. The Criminal Justice Department is not a print shop. If you are having trouble with your printer, you may email the assignment to me as proof that you have completed the assignment. At that point, no changes can be made to the assignment; to make changes would be academic dishonesty. You must print out the paper and bring it to me at the next class period. When emailing, be careful what you title your attachments because the spam blocker could block your message. If you do not get a reply from me about your paper/assignment, I probably didn’t get it. It is your responsibility to make sure I receive it.

6. Phone Behavior. (Cell Phones, Pagers, etc.) Turn them off, or on vibrate, when you get to class. If you have an emergency situation, let me know prior to class. When your phone vibrates go into the hall to answer it. No texting, answering or checking texts will be permitted in class. If you do so, you can be penalized 10 points per occurrence. Also, you should not check to see who is calling or texting you. Such behavior is disruptive to the class and will be treated as if you answered the phone, 10 points per occurrence. Phones/Texts, Email, phones, etc. checked during tests will result in a zero for the examination.

7. You also cannot listen to music or have earphones on while taking a test, or in class.

8. Computers in class are OK only if you are taking notes.

9. Classroom demeanor. Civility in class is expected. You must respect the opinions and rights of other students and allow them to participate in class. Be active in discussions, but do not hog them or blurt out answers all the time. Everyone should have a chance to participate in class.

10. Stupid questions are questions that are not asked. Questions that are asked are not stupid questions and will not be treated as such. If you have a question on class material, ask it. Ignorance means you are unaware of an answer, stupidity means you are incapable of understanding or knowing. If you do not understand something, ask. I doubt that you are incapable of learning the material. Do not let ignorance become stupidity, ask in class, by email.

11. Answer questions during discussions. If you are wrong, I’ll let you know as gently as possible. I won’t make fun of your answer or you. However, make a true effort to answer the question. If you are just trying to be the center of attention and hog the discussions, I’ll let you know before the next class that you are over the top.

12. University Computing Services’ Acceptable Use Policy: All students are responsible for knowing this policy, which can be found on the web at

13. Academic Dishonesty Policy: Cheating will not be tolerated. In the event a student is caught cheating, he or she will receive a zero for that assignment or exam and will be reported to the Program Chair.

All students should be familiar with the university’s policy concerning academic dishonesty. This policy can be found in the current online undergraduate catalog.

14. Policy for Students with Disabilities: Marshall University is committed to equal opportunity in education for all students, including those with physical, learning and psychological disabilities.  University policy states that it is the responsibility of students with disabilities to contact the Office of Disability Services (DSS) in Prichard Hall 117, phone 304 696-2271 to provide documentation of their disability.  Following this, the DSS Coordinator will send a letter to each of the student’s instructors outlining the academic accommodation he/she will need to ensure equality in classroom experiences, outside assignment, testing and grading.  The instructor and student will meet to discuss how the accommodation(s) requested will be provided.  For more information, please visit or contact Disabled Student Services Office at Prichard Hall 11, phone 304-696-2271.

15. Affirmative Action Policy: This course will follow Marshall University’s policy on Affirmative Action, which can be found online in the Undergraduate Catalog. Specifically, all students will be afforded equal opportunity without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation.

16. Inclement Weather Policy: Students can find information concerning Marshall’s policy regarding inclement weather in the Undergraduate Catalog,

CJ 314

Crime Scene Investigation

COURSE SCHEDULE

|Week |Date |Topic |

|1 |Aug. 24 |Class Intro, Review of Syllabus |

| | |Introduction to CSI & Forensic Science |

|2 |Aug. 31 |Chapter 1: Introduction |

| | |Chapter 2: Understanding the Nature of Physical Evidence |

| | |HW DUE |

|3 |Sept. 7 |Chapter 3 |

| | |Action of the Initial Responding Officer |

|4 |Sept. 14 |Chapter 4: Process Methodology |

| | |Chapter 5: Assessing the Scene |

|5 |Sept. 21 |EXAM #1 |

|6 |Sept. 28 |Chapter 6: Crime Scene Photography |

|7 |Oct. 5 |Chapter 7: Crime Scene Sketching & Mapping |

| | |Chapter 8: Crime Scene Notes & Reports |

|8 |Oct. 12 |Chapter 9: Basic Skills for Scene Processing |

| | |SKETCHING HW DUE |

|9 |Oct. 19 |EXAM #2 |

|10 |Oct. 26 |Chapter 10 |

| | |Advanced Techniques for Scene Processing |

|11 |Nov. 2 |Chapter 11: Special Scene Considerations |

|12 |Nov. 9 |Chapter 12 |

| | |The Role of Crime Scene Analysis & Reconstruction |

|13 |Nov. 16 |Death Investigation |

|14 |Nov. 23 |THANKGIVING WEEK |

| | |NO CLASS |

|15 |Nov. 30 |EXAM #3 |

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