PSC 107.02: The Criminal Investigative Function: Course Description and Learning Outcomes

PSC 107.02 is the Introduction to criminal investigation in the field.  The course focuses on the consideration of conduct at the crime scene, interview and interrogation of witnesses and suspects, the use of informants and the techniques of surveillance. There is an emphasis on the special techniques employed in particular kinds of investigation and the presentation of police cases in court.

The purpose of this course is to introduce the students to the field of criminal investigation. During the course, the student will be taken on the journey of criminal investigation from the crime scene to the courtroom.  Ultimately, the course will provide students with the essential thought processes, such as the use of inductive and deductive reasoning that are currently employed by Detectives to solve cases. The student will use these thought processes to analyze and evaluate information from class lectures and readings for a better understanding of the aspects of criminal investigation.

Learning Objectives

1. Examine early forms of investigative work, its evolution and developmental processes.
2. Examine conduct at the crime scene, interview and interrogation of witnesses and suspects, the use of informants and the techniques of surveillance.
3. Examine the special techniques employed in particular kinds of investigations (e.g., Narcotics, Burglary, Homicide) and the presentation of police cases in court.
4. Examine how criminal investigations are undertaken and the logical links to evidence within a framework of existing laws and policies.
5. Examine the investigative process from preliminary to follow-up case clearance.