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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Criminal Investigation I
Course: AJS275

First Term: 2025 Fall
 Lecture   3.0 Credit(s)   3.0 Period(s)   3.0 Load  
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S - Standard Load


Description: Introduction to the theory of criminal investigation. Examines crime scene procedures, case preparation, interviewing, identification, and basic investigative techniques.



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the basic investigative steps, goals and objectives involved in any criminal investigation. (I, VI)
2. Identify the attributes and techniques of a successful investigator. (II)
3. Describe the methods and procedures of properly protecting and recording a crime scene. (III)
4. Explain the methods of seizing, collecting, preserving, transporting, and analyzing various types of evidence, including DNA. (IV)
5. Describe the uses and importance of a properly reported criminal incident. (V, VII)
6. Describe the steps, techniques and problems involved in interviews and interrogation during a criminal investigation. (VI)
7. Identify the steps, techniques and problems involved in the identification of suspects in a criminal investigation. (VI)
8. Describe the steps involved in preparing a case for criminal prosecution in court. (VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Criminal investigation
   A. Definition
   B. Goals and objectives
   C. Basic investigative functions
   D. Initial Investigation
   E. Follow up investigation
   F. Arrest
II. The investigator
   A. Personal attributes
   B. Use of senses
   C. Logic skills
      1. Inductive reasoning
      2. Deductive reasoning
III. Crime scene
   A. Definition
   B. Identifying
      1. Physical evidence
      2. Biological evidence
   C. Protecting
   D. Recording
      1. Photographing
      2. Sketching
      3. Notes
IV. Evidence
   A. Definition
   B. Identifying
   C. Collecting
   D. Preserving
   E. Transporting
   F. Frequently examined evidence
      1. Fingerprints
      2. Blood
      3. Other body fluids
      4. DNA
      5. Firearms
   G. Search by police
      1. With a warrant
      2. Search warrant exceptions
V. Police reports
   A. Importance
   B. Uses
   C. Values
   D. Characteristics of effective report
VI. Investigative techniques
   A. Interviews and interrogation
      1. Preparation
      2. Interview and interrogation techniques
      3. Common problems
      4. Miranda and exceptions
   B. Identification
      1. Showups
      2. Lineups
      3. DNA
      4. Fingerprints
      5. Common problems
      6. Social Media
   C. Investigation of specific crimes
      1. Theft
      2. Burglary
      3. Robbery
      4. Assault
      5. Homicide
      6. Sex Crimes
      7. Cybercrime
      8. Domestic violence
VII. Case preparation
   A. Preparing for court
   B. Role of prosecutor
   C. Sequence of criminal trial
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 25, 2024

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.