TEXT, REFERENCES AND SUPPLIES:

TEXT - REQUIRED: - Adams, T. F., Caddell, A. G. & Krutsinger, J. L. (2004). Crime Scene Investigation (2nd ed). New Jersey. Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-139797-4

Material will be presented in class, and handouts will be used extensively in appropriate areas. Much information will be taken from Criminalistics: an Introduction to Forensic Science Lab Manual 6th ed. (1998) by Saferstein.

REFERENCE MATERIALS USED BY INSTRUCTOR:
Califana, A. L. & Levkov, J. S. (1978). Criminalistics for the Law Enforcement Officer. New York: McGraw-Hill.

DeForest, P. R., Gaensslen, R. E., & Lee, H. C. (1983). Forensic Science: An Introduction to Criminalistics. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Federal Bureau of Investigation. "FBI Laboratory Handbook." F.B.I.
Federal Bureau of Investigation. "FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin." Various articles that apply to subject matter.

Saferstein, R. (1998). Criminalistics: an Introduction to Forensic Science Lab Manual 6th ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Saferstein, R. (1987). Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Various available sources of expertise in forensic science, slide-cassette programs, videos and other appropriate materials.

SUPPLIES:

The following supplies are required for this course:

CRIME SCENE SKETCHING MATERIALS: (week 6)

Supplied by the student:

Graph paper (¼” preferred)
12” straightedge - clear plastic with metric and inch markings
pencil with eraser (mechanical preferred, with 0.7mm black lead)
clipboard
notepad - white, ruled

Supplied by the College:

Tape measures and distance measuring devices

FINGERPRINTING EXERCISE (week 9)
Supplied by the student:

Two or three old documents, cancelled checks, receipts, etc

Supplied by the College:

Fingerprinting supplies as required

CASTING EXERCISE (week 11)
Supplied by the student:

1 can hair spray, heavy lacquer content
8 oz. clean water

Supplied by the College:

Material for casting prints

FINAL EXERCISE (week 15)
All materials provided by the College

COURSE GOALS/ OBJECTIVES:

To successfully complete this course, the student will:

Describe the functions of the crime laboratory, the role of the crime lab in processing evidence and the importance of the microscope

(Knowledge of the crime lab improves the ability of officers to work with lab personnel and gather appropriate evidence at a crime scene)

Discuss the importance of processing crime scenes according to set procedures

(Procedures used at crime scenes affect the admissibility of evidence in court)

Describe crime scene search methods and demonstrate the ability to conduct a search

(Knowing various acceptable methods facilitates change and decision making at crime scenes)

ACTIVITY: students will participate in a mock crime scene exercise
Discuss crime scene photography and techniques of incorporating photographs into a crime scene sketch

(Photographic evidence is admissible at trial, and officers must have a basic understanding of documenting scenes through photography)

ACTIVITY: students will complete crime scene sketches and include photographic overlays
Identify basic fingerprint patterns and correctly identify patterns on a set of rolled impressions

(Police officers must be able to identify basic patterns to know if latent prints from a crime scene will be of use as evidence for comparison purposes)

ACTIVITY: students will obtain a set of rolled impressions and identify the patterns present
Develop latent prints using various techniques and tools

(Police officers must be familiar with techniques for developing and lifting latent prints at crime scenes)

ACTIVITY: students will develop, lift and preserve latent prints
Explain the significance of tool marks and firearms examinations to solving crimes

( Police officers must be familiar with tool marks as evidence and methods used by the lab to compare markings and tools)

Discuss document examination and its relevance to criminal investigation

(Police officers must understand the value of documents to various criminal investigations and methods of collecting, marking and preserving documentary evidence)

Prepare casts and/or molds, and explain their use in forensic science

(The ability to prepare a cast of an impression is a valuable crime scene skill)

ACTIVITY: students will prepare and cast impressions of shoe prints or other objects using latest equipment and methods
Discuss the importance of glass as evidence

(Glass is frequently of evidentiary value in criminal investigations; officers must recognize its value and understand methods of collecting and preserving glass as evidence )

Discuss the importance of proper report writing and documentation to successful investigations

(Report writing is an integral part of all aspects of police work; documenting activities and evidence improves the chances for a successful investigation and prosecution)

ACTIVITY: students will document the collection of evidence and complete necessary paperwork for submission of evidence to the crime lab
Demonstrate the ability to work as a member of a team

(Team work is essential to successful police work)

ACTIVITY: students will participate in group activities during the course, including processing a mock crime scene
Demonstrate competence with the metric system

(The metric system is used by the scientific community, including the crime lab; officers must know the system to properly file drug cases and read laboratory reports)

ACTIVITY: students will complete worksheets and mathematical problems including converting to and from the metric system and pass a test on the metric system

STUDENT CONTRIBUTIONS AND CLASS POLICIES:

Each student should anticipate at least one hour out of class preparation for each lecture hour, plus study time preparing for the final examination. Attendance and participation in exercises is essential in this course.

Portable cellular phones, beepers, and similar paging devices may be disruptive to the class, and you are encouraged NOT to bring them into the classroom. If you do bring them to class, please make sure they are turned off. Should they become a nuisance, you may be asked to remove them from the classroom.

There is only one traditional examination in this course - the final. All other grades are based upon attendance and participation in exercises. Due to time constraints, there is no opportunity to make up missed classroom exercises. All projects are due not later than Wednesday of the 14th week. (Information on projects is found below)

Final exams are not given early or late.
The instructor reserves the right to give quizzes, announced or unannounced, at any time. There is no opportunity to make up quizzes that are missed.

NOTICE: The instructor reserves the right to drop students who stop attending or have an excessive number of absences. As a rule, however, the instructor does not drop students, and it is your responsibility to drop a class if you no longer plan to attend and complete the semester. Check the Midland College catalog for last day to drop.

EVALUATION OF STUDENTS:

This is a guide and subject to change at the instructor's discretion.

NOTE: - * To successfully complete this course, you must pass (70% score) a written examination on the metric system. The scientific nature of criminalistics demands an understanding of that system. It will be covered in class and you will be tested. Students may take the examination as often as necessary to earn a passing grade; however, this must be completed by Friday of the 14th week of the semester. This exam will not be given during class time; you must make arrangements to take it during the instructor’s office hours.

There is no opportunity to make up graded exercises in this course. An absence when the exercise is conducted will be graded as a zero. In extreme situations, students may be given alternative assignments to complete for grading.

NOTE: Part of the grade for each graded exercise is whether you bring to class the required supplies and materials form the list on page two of the syllabus. Deductions will be made from the grade when required supplies are not brought. It is essential that investigators show up at scenes with the proper equipment and tools to complete their job.


COURSE SCHEDULE:

The class meets for three hours per week, some of which is lecture, some practical application. An outline of the course is attached to this syllabus. This is a guide and subject to change at the instructor's discretion.

SCANS INFORMATION:

The following SCANS are taught and/or reinforced in this course:

Resources: Identifies, organizes, plans, and allocates resources. Students will: acquire and make the best use of materials in processing mock crime scenes in class.

Interpersonal: Works with others. Students will: work cooperatively with others and contribute to group success in class assignments and skills exercises.

Technology: Works with variety of technologies. Students will:
identify instrumentation of crime laboratory and identify uses of tools and instruments in examining physical evidence; use a variety of tools to process evidence in the classroom environment.

Reading: Locates, understands, and interprets written information in prose and documents. Students will: learn details, tasks, and information from handouts and other written material presented in class.

Writing: Communicates thoughts, ideas, information and messages in writing. Students will: prepare reports as assigned, take notes, and submit assignments for grading.

Arithmetic: Performs basic computations. Students will:
demonstrate ability to use metric system and convert temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius and vise versa, and use mathematics to complete crime scene sketches.

Listening/Speaking: Receives, attends to, interprets, and responds to verbal messages in ways appropriate to the purpose; organizes ideas and communicates appropriate messages. Students will: participate in class discussion, answer questions directed at them, participate in reviews and ask questions as necessary to clarify material.

Thinking Skills: Creative thinking, decision making and problem solving. Students will: solve problems encountered during crime scene investigations with available tools and complete selected projects.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

Instructor: Robert W. Peetz
Office: 174TC
Telephone: (432) 685-4685
E-mail: rpeetz@midland.edu
Fax: (432) 685-4761
Division Business Studies
Chair: Mr. Gavin Frantz
Clerk: Ms. Mia Olvera
Office: 142 TC
Phone: (432) 685-4656

Office Hours: Office hours are announced in class, posted on the instructor's door and subject to change.

PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION

Two principles should guide you through your education. First, from your education you should learn "how to think, not what to think." The second is from Dr. Gennaro Vito (1999), and has 10 parts:

1. Work is good. Hard work is even better.
2. Preparation is the key to success.
3. Quality and presentation count.
4. Revision improves all things.
5. Learn to use all the tools available to you.
6. Work must be completed on time.
7. Time is more valuable than money.
8. Do not become an educated fool.
9. Nothing stays the same. Either you get better or your get worse.
10. The classroom is no place for democracy.


COURSE OUTLINE: This is for the Spring 2008 Semester.

The class meets Tuesday mornings from 10:00 am to 12:50 pm

This course outline accompanies Adams, et al, Crime Scene Investigation 2nd ed.

PROJECTS

To successfully complete this course, you must complete at least five projects from the following list.

Each chapter in the text has two or three suggested outside projects at the end of the chapter. Some of these are included in the course as exercises. From this list, you are to select five (5) projects and submit them for grading. Each project has a maximum value of 100 points, and they comprise 38% of the total course grade. The rules for selecting and submitting projects are:

• only projects listed here are acceptable;
• only one project per chapter is allowed;
• all projects must be submitted by the end of the 14th week of the semester;
• grading will include quality, effort, design, grammar (where applicable), neatness and presentation.

You must supply all materials and obtain all equipment necessary to complete selected projects, and may seek reasonable outside assistance in completing these projects. You may not work in pairs or groups. The instructor may make suggestions, but will not offer guidance or direction on projects. These are designed to challenge your initiative, critical thinking, creativity and resourcefulness, all characteristics essential to effective criminalists.

PORTFOLIO INSTRUCTIONS

PROTFOLIO DUE APRIL 18, 2006

To successfully complete this course you must create and submit a portfolio .

              A portfolio is a collection of material from this course, gathered by you and assembles into a notebook for presentation. The portfolio must be divided into the following sections:

All materials must be submitted in a black 3-ring binder . Photographs, etc., must be taped or glued to white paper and not enclosed in any type of plastic sheet or protector. This portfolio should be prepared as if it were a case file to be submitted to the prosecutor explaining all investigative efforts.

Sections must be separated by appropriate binder dividers and appropriately labeled.