MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

LET224  2008 Summer I – 2009 Summer I

Crime Scene Investigations

1.

Explain the process for documenting and sketching a crime scene. (I)

2.

List the steps for conducting a crime scene investigation. (II)

3.

Summarize procedures for controlling a crime scene. (II)

4.

Differentiate between the types of evidence. (III)

5.

Summarize procedures for identifying, collecting, and preserving biological evidence for future analysis. (III)

6.

Describe how to collect and preserve evidence. (III)

7.

Name the key elements of an investigative report. (IV)

8.

Explain the importance of an investigative report and its role in the prosecution of the crime. (IV)

9.

Differentiate between interviews and interrogations. (V)

10.

Summarize procedures for preparing and serving a search warrant. (VI)

11.

Identify various types of information sources. (VII)

12.

Describe common motives of information sources and how to use the information gained from them. (VII)

13.

Identify and describe public resources available for locating individuals. (VIII)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

LET224  2008 Summer I – 2009 Summer I

Crime Scene Investigations

I. Crime Scene Diagramming

A. Memory Refresher for Investigator

B. Evidentiary Items

1. Location

2. Relationship

C. Creating Permanent Record

D. Crime Scene Conditions

1. Assisting Others

2. Interpreting

E. Crime Scene Documentation

1. Technology Support

2. Sketching

II. Crime Scene Investigation

A. Processing Crime Scene

B. Major Goals

1. Of Crime Scene Investigation

2. Of Search

C. First Response

D. Preliminary Survey

E. Search Methods

F. Responsibilities for Successful Investigation

G. Evaluation of Information

H. Conclusion of Investigation

III. DNA Evidence at the Scene and Evidence Collection

A. Types of Evidence

B. DNA Defined

C. Finding DNA Evidence

D. Contamination Issues

E. Collection Process

F. Sexual Assault Collection

G. Trace Evidence

H. Chromosomes

I. DNA Problems

J. Technological Limitations

K. Codis Database

IV. Report Writing

A. Subject (of the Report)

B. Audience

C. Purpose/Importance

D. Style

E. Seven "C" of Report Writing

F. Writing Suggestions

G. E-mail Hints

H. Investigative Reports Model

V. Interview and Interrogation

A. Voluntariness

B. Gang Related Issues

C. Techniques

D. Interview Outline

E. Child Interviews

F. Understanding the Answers

G. Important Language Tips

VI. Search Warrants

A. ARS 13-3911 Definition

B. ARS 13-3913 Conditions Precedent to Issuance

C. Form of the Warrant

D. Service of the Warrant

E. Time of Service

F. Time of Execution and Return

G. Inventory

H. Receipt for Property Seized

I. Affidavit Preparation

J. Probable Cause

VII. Information Sources

A. Types

B. Motives

C. Development of Sources

D. Interviewing Potential Sources

E. Impact on Families

F. Pitfalls When Using a Source

VIII. Investigative Resources

A. Analysis Techniques

B. Using Public Records to Locate Individuals

C. Intelligence Collection