Criminal Investigative Theory
Syllabus
Summer 1 2008
Dr. Tod W. Burke
NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL FIRST DAY OF
CLASS
CRJU 320 (Section 01) Index Number: 1301 Tuesday/Thursday 6:00-9:00 PM (Waldron
College Hall 226)
Office: 307 Adams St. 6B
Work Phone: 831-6657
Fax : 831-6075 E-mail: tburke@radford.edu
Homepage: www.radford.edu/~tburke
Office Hours: I will not be
holding official office hours during the summer months, however, I am usually
in my office one hour prior to class if you wish to stop by and chat. You can also reach me via e-mail at tburke@radford.edu or call my office phone
number 540-831-6657.
I. INTRODUCTION
This course is designed to give the student practical and theoretical
knowledge of criminal investigation. Much of the material and classroom
discussion will focus on the initial responding officer at the crime scene, as
well as follow-up investigations by detectives and crime lab personnel. The
basic format of instruction is lecture, although practical exercises by the students
may be required. Class participation plays a vital role in the success of this
course. The student is expected to attend each class. If, by some chance, a
student misses a class, he/she is responsible for the material covered during
that lecture/lab.
II. GRADING
The student will be graded based upon three lecture/discussion exams.
Each exam will be valued up to 100 points each and will be
hypothetical/essay/short answers and may cover any material covered in lecture,
classroom discussion, guest speakers, videos, etc.
Laboratory exercises will be valued up to 10 points each. The specific
requirements for each lab (see below activities) will be noted in class
(assignments may require group work and will require out-of-class
meetings). Make-up for laboratory exercises will not be granted,
so please do not bother to ask. You must attend laboratory exercise to
receive laboratory credit points! Some of the grades for laboratory
exercises may be determined by your group (classmate) supervisor, when applicable. The
professor has final determination of a student's laboratory points!
Following each exam, classroom discussion/lab will follow as per the lesson
plan.
III. BOOK
There will not be a required textbook for this class. I know
this delights you.
IV. ATTENDANCE
The student is expected to attend each class. If an individual is borderline between grades, class participation will be
considered in making the final grade decision. Additionally, students are
expected to attend class "on time." Tardiness will NOT
be tolerated (the student may be denied admission into the class if tardy and
will be counted absent).
Any student who misses class will be deducted 30 points for each
class missed (Two tardies = one absence). Since
we only meet 10 times the entire summer session, there will be no excused
absences, so do not even bother to ask (treat this as part of your
participation grade). Any student not
paying attention such as, falling asleep in class (if that is even possible in
this course), working on another assignment, failing to pay attention during
news briefings, videos, etc., playing with their cell phone, being ill-prepared
for classroom discussion, etc., may be counted absent for that day.
V. OTHER INFORMATION
Other important information: If you bring a cell phone to
class, please turn off the ringer (you may wish to put the phone on
vibrate). If you receive a call during class, do NOT respond to
the message unless it is an emergency that the entire class should be made
aware of (example - a campus emergency). Laptops and other computer/recording
devices are prohibited during class use (unless it is being used during
a group presentation). This will minimize unnecessary distractions that
often accompany the use of these electronic devices. You will need to take
notes the old fashion way - via handwriting - sorry!
VI. TOPIC OUTLINE
The following is a tentative outline of the course. This may be subject to
change.
Orientation
Elements of a Crime
Methods of Investigation
Interview and Interrogation
Confessions and Admissions
Crime Scene Search
Photographing the Scene
Crime Scene Sketch
Evidence Collection
Missing Persons
Surveillance
Arson Investigation
Sex Offenses
Theft Investigation
Burglary Investigation
Robbery Investigation
Homicide
VII. LABORATORY/CLASS EXERCISES/ETC. (we may or
may not be able to conduct each lab/exercise during the summer).
VIII. HONOR CODE
Radford University is committed to the highest standards of academic
honesty. Acts of academic dishonesty include plagiarism,
cheating, bribery, academic fraud, sabotage of research materials, the sale of
academic papers, the purchase of academic papers, and the falsification of
records. An individual who engages in these or related activities or who
knowingly aids another who engages them, is acting in an academically dishonest
manner and will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the bylaws
and procedures of Radford University (See Student Handbook).
Each member of the academic community is expected to give full, fair, and
formal credit to any and all sources that have contributed to the formulation
of ideas, methods, interpretations, and findings. The absence of such formal
credit is an affirmation that the work is fully the writer’s. The term
"sources" includes, but is not limited to, published or unpublished
materials, lectures, lecture notes, computer programs, mathematical and other
symbolic formulations, course papers, examinations, theses, dissertations, and
comments offered in class or informal discussions. The representation that such
work of another is the writer’s represents plagiarism.
Care must be taken to document the source of any ideas or arguments. If the
actual word of a source is used, it must appear within quotation marks. In
cases that are unclear, the writer must take due care to avoid plagiarism.
The source should be cited whenever:
Since the intent to deceive is not a necessary element (strict liability),
careful note taking and record keeping is essential in order to avoid
plagiarism. In other words, it is like being a little bit pregnant (you either
are or you are not). One cannot have "accidental/unintentional"
plagiarism!
Students should consult members of the faculty for clarification of the
definition and substance of this policy on plagiarism as it applies to their
particular discipline.
(Source: City University of New York – Proposal on Plagiarism).
IX. STUDENT ACCOMMODATIONS
Students seeking accommodations are required to
provide documentation from an appropriate health care provider or professional.
The documentation must outline the functional limitations that substantially
limit a major life activity. Providers are also asked to provide
recommendations for reasonable accommodations based upon the disability.
However, Radford University's disability services professionals ultimately
decide on what accommodations are appropriate and reasonable.
Having a diagnosis is not the same as having a disability!
ADA Statement
If you are seeking classroom
accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are required to
register with the Disability Resource Office (DRO). The DRO is located in Tyler
Hall, Room 64; telephone number 831-6350; email address dro@radford.edu.
To receive academic accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper DRO
forms and meet with me no later than the second week of class during the
regular semester session (or the second day of the class during the summer
session).
Learning Resource Center
The
Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC), located in 126 Walker Hall, is open to all students Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.
until 5 p.m. Certified, trained tutors provide help with basic study
skills, writing, and content-specific material. An appointment is
necessary and can be made by calling 831-7704, emailing larc@radford.edu, or IMing
“rularcappt”.