CRIJ 2314:
Investigative theory; collection and preservation of evidence; sources of information; interview and interrogation; uses of forensic sciences; case and trial preparation.
In the event of an emergency or announced campus closure due to a natural disaster or pandemic, it may be necessary for Panola College to move to altered operations. During this time, Panola College may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include, but are not limited to: online learning management system (CANVAS), online conferencing, email messaging, and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor Panola College's website (www.panola.edu) for instructions about continuing courses remotely, CANVAS for each class for course-specific communication, and Panola College email for important general information.
Regular and punctual attendance of classes and laboratories is required of all students. When a student has been ill or absent from class for approved extracurricular activities, he or she should be allowed, as far as possible, to make up for the missed work. If a student has not actively participated by the census date, they will be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance. This policy applies to courses that are in-person, online, hybrid, and hyflex.
Attendance in online courses is determined by submission of an assignment or participation in an activity. According to federal guidelines, simply logging into a distance learning course without participating in an academic assignment does not constitute attendance. Distance learning is defined as when a majority (more than 50%) of instruction occurs when the instructor and students are in separate physical locations. Students must engage in an academic activity prior to the course census date.
When an instructor feels that a student has been absent to such a degree as to invalidate the learning experience, the instructor may recommend to the Vice President of Instruction that the student be withdrawn from the course. Instructors may seek to withdraw students for non-attendance after they have accumulated the following number of absences:
Fall or spring semesters:
3 or more class meeting times per week - 5 absences
2 class meeting times per week - 3 absences
1 class meeting per week - 2 absences
The student is responsible for seeing that he or she has been officially withdrawn from a class. A student who stops attendance in a class without officially withdrawing from that class will be given a failing grade; consequently, the student must follow official withdrawal procedures in the Admissions/Records Office.
Please note: Health Science and Cosmetology courses may require more stringent attendance policies based on their accreditation agencies. Please see the addendum and/or program handbook for further information concerning attendance.
Panola College welcomes pregnant and parenting students as a part of the student body. This institution is committed to providing support and adaptations for a successful educational experience for pregnant and parenting students. Students experiencing a need for accommodations related to pregnancy or parenting will find a Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations Request form in the Student Handbook or may request the form from the course instructor.
Use of generated AI Permitted under some classroom circumstances with permission.
There are situations throughout the course where you may be asked to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to explore how they can be used. Outside of those circumstances, you should not use AI tools to generate content that will end up in any student work (assignments, activities, discussion responses, etc.). In such cases for Option #2, no more than 25% of the student work should be generated by AI. Use of any AI-generated content in this course without the instructor’s consent qualifies as academic dishonesty and violates Panola College’s standards of academic integrity.
The purpose of this course is to:
- Identify the goals and objectives of criminal investigation.
- Demonstrate ability to conduct proper crime scene investigations.
- Organize the criminal case including field notes, reports, and crime scene activities.
After studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to:
- Explain and discuss investigative theory.
- Describe and discuss the collection and preservation of evidence.
- Identify and describe sources of information.
- Explain and discuss techniques of interview and interrogation.
- Describe and discuss the uses of forensic sciences.
- Define and discuss case and trial preparation.
A general description of lecture/discussion topics included in this course are listed in the Learning Objectives section of this syllabus.
Students in all sections of this course will learn the following content:
- Introduction and Basic Concepts
- The Criminal Investigation
- Criminal Evidence
- Standards of Proof, Admissibility of Evidence, and Warrantless Searches
- The exclusionary Rule, Miranda, and the Bill of Rights
- Crime Scene Management
- Forensic Sciences
- Interrogation and False Confessions
This course is offered in online, face-to-face, and/or Hybrid formats. For the traditional classroom course, teaching approaches are expected to vary with individual instructors who should employ those techniques that work best for them and their students. Although lecture and reading assignments are the primary forms of delivery, other instructional methods may involve classroom discussion, student presentations and lectures, audio-visual instruction, invited speakers, critical thinking activities, in class writing exercises designed to stimulate critical thinking, and group activities. Distance learning is also available for students who cannot attend lectures and who are capable of the amount of self-direction and discipline required to complete such a course. Reading the materials, communication via email, and on-line discussion are some of the methods used for distance learning.
Faculty may assign both in and out of class assignments (for face-to-face courses), essay projects, and
exams to assess the student’s knowledge and abilities. Faculty may choose from the following assessment
criteria:
1. Attendance
2. Perceived Class Preparedness
3. Class Participation/Discussion
4. Exams
5. Tests
6. Quizzes
7. Internet Assignments
8. Journal Assignments
9. Library Assignments
10. Readings
11. Research Papers
12. Written Assignments
1. Unit Exams
2. Research Assignment
3. Midterm Exam
4. Final Exam
Comprehensive Final Exam – 25%
◦ Final Exam will cover material from the entire semester, and will be administered according to the
Schedule of Examinations for the semester. This exam will include: items covered in quizzes, 3
discussions, videos, and lectures. This is a remotely proctored exam. Exams will be administered
by the instructor, via the testing center or through the online proctoring system (requires a
webcam/microphone).
Midterm Exam – 10%
◦ Midterm Exam will cover material from the first half of the semester, and will be administered in
week 5. This exam will include: items covered in readings, discussions, outlines, videos, and lectures.
This is a remotely proctored exam. Exams will be administered by the instructor, via the testing
center or through the online proctoring system (requires a webcam/microphone).
Class Participation/Assignments – 40%
◦ Quizzes
◦ Summaries and Outlines
◦ Discussions
◦ Participation
◦ Other, as assigned by instructor
Research Assignment – 25%
Letter Grades for the Course will be assigned as follows:
• A: 90 < Average < 100
• B: 80 < Average < 90
• C: 70 < Average < 80
• D: 60 < Average < 70
• F: 00 < Average < 60
Any student caught cheating on an online exam or academic testing will be given a zero
for the exam/quiz and lose their privilege to test online for the rest of the semester in all online courses. The
student will then be required to go to the Carthage Academic Testing Center for any future exams that
semester.
Students will be required to follow all rules and procedures as defined by the instructor for testing online.
Students will be required to take a practice exam and pass it correctly with instructor approval before
testing online. When students test online using the proctoring system, the exam will be graded, video of
testing will be reviewed and if any rules or procedures of testing or any act of suspicious activity is found
by the instructor, the student will be required to attend the testing center for the remainder of their exams,
and credit for the exam will not be given, resulting in a zero with no retake allowed. The student will be
reported as an academic irregularity and submitted to the Digital Learning Department as well as the dean.
When taking a remotely proctored exam, you must be dressed appropriately, sitting at a desk/table, alone
and free of any and all distractions. If you do not have an area of your residence or location to test in a
suitable environment, please contact your instructor prior to the exam. During your proctored testing you
will be required to conduct a complete room/desk scan, an incomplete room scan can result in instructor
not reviewing the test, a grade of zero with no retake allowed, and student being required to take future
exams in the Academic Testing Center on the Carthage campus.
Open Education Resources (OER) – course content is provided by the instructor or materials are included
within the Canvas course shell.
• Open Education Resources (OER) – course content is provided by the instructor or materials are included within the Canvas course shell.
• Links and/or Materials provided within the Canvas course.
Local and National newspaper and/or magazine/journal articles relevant to the subject matter issues
discussed. Materials available in the M.P. Baker Library, or their electronic resources.
- Courses conducted via video conferencing may be recorded and shared for instructional purposes by the instructor.
- For current texts and materials, use the following link to access bookstore listings: https://www.panolacollegestore.com.
- For testing services, use the following link: https://www.panola.edu/student-services/studentsupport/academic-testing-center.
- If any student in this class has special classroom or testing needs because of a physical learning or emotional condition, please contact the ADA Student Coordinator in Support Services located in the Charles C. Matthews Student Center or go to https://www.panola.edu/studentservices/student-support/disability-support-services for more information.
- Withdrawing from a course is the student’s responsibility. Students who do not attend class and who do not withdraw will receive the grade earned for the course.
- Student Handbook: https://www.panola.edu/ (located on at the bottom under student)