Maricopa Community Colleges  LET102   19954-20002 
Official Course Description:   MCCCD Approval:  03/28/95  
LET102      19954-20002 LEC 4 Credit(s) 4 Period(s)
Criminal Investigation
Overview of specialized techniques for the investigation of various types of crimes. Includes technology in police data processing operations as well as the nature and structure of various types of specialized crimes and crime groups. Also introduces techniques for interviewing and interrogation. Prerequisites: None.
 
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
LET102   19954-20002 Criminal Investigation
1. Identify and describe methods of criminal investigation. (I)
2. Describe the specialized techniques for the investigation of assaults, burglaries, robberies, theft, auto theft, and criminal damage. (I)
3. Describe the technology in police data processing operations and the availability of information through the use of local, state, and national records systems. (II)
4. List the rules governing police officers' use of investigative information systems. (II)
5. Identify the specialized techniques required in death investigations. (IV)
6. Describe the proper method to fill out death reports. (IV)
7. Define racketeering. (V)
8. Describe the intelligence-gathering activities on organized crime resulting from cooperation among federal, state, and local law enforcement organizations. (V)
9. In inference to commonly abused drugs, describe their effects, their appearance, and the methods used to distribute them. (VI)
10. List the basic techniques used for investigating narcotics and dangerous violations of drug laws. (VI)
11. Identify procedures for initial repsonse and nature of response to missing persons reports. (VII)
12. Identify the process and purpose for the issuance of an order of protection. (VII)
13. List types of gangs, their characteristics, and structure. (VIII)
14. Explain law enforcement considerations when dealing with gangs. (VIII)
15. Identify special considerations for conducting an interview, collecting evidence and establishing rapport with the victim of a sexual assault. (IX)
16. Identify the elements of child neglect and child physical and sexual abuse. (IX)
17. Describe the techniques for interviewing an victim of child sexual molestation or child abuse. (IX)
18. Describe methods used to interview parents and juveniles. (IX, XI)
19. Describe techniques for interviewing the victim of a crime. (X)
20. Identify the rules of criminal procedure and investigation that apply to juveniles. (XI)
21. Identify the considerations and procedures for interviewing and interrogation. (XI)
22. Define "Miranda Warnings" and describe techniques of custodial and non-custodial questioning and adult and juvenile rights as granted by the "Miranda" decision of the Supreme Court of the United States. (XI)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
LET102   19954-20002 Criminal Investigation
    I. Criminal Investigation
        A. Methods of investigation
          1. Purpose of investigation
          2. Tools of the investigator
          3. Interrogation
          4. Instrumentation
        B. Crime scene search
        C. Burglary and theft investigation
        D. Robbery investigation
        E. Criminal damage investigation
        F. Auto theft investigation
      II. National Crime Information Center/Terminal Operator Training
          A. State files
            1. Arizona crime information center
            2. Arizona criminal judicial information system
          B. National files (national crime information center)
          C. Computer User Agreement Rules
        III. Special Investigations
            A. Victimless crimes
              1. Prositution
              2. Gambling
              3. Pornography
              4. Drug abuse
              5. Liquor violations
              6. Homosexuality
            B. Traditional characteristics of vice offenses
            C. Relationships of vice crimes to other crimes
            D. Tolerance/non-enforcement
          IV. Death Investigation
              A. Types of death
                1. Natural
                2. Suicidal
                3. Accidental
                4. Homocide
                5. Unknown cause
                6. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
              B. Specialized techniques required in death investigations
              C. Signs of death
              D. Jurisdiction of the police and medical examiner
              E. Reports
                1. Departmental
                2. Medical examiner
                3. Form - 36 deaths
            V. Organized Crime
                A. Definition of organized crime
                B. Racketeering
                C. Intelligence files
                D. Law enforcement intelligence unit
                E. Schemes and financial frauds
                F. History of Organized Crime Bureau
                G. Sections of the organized crime bureau
              VI. Drug Investigations
                  A. Types of commonly abused drugs
                    1. Marijuana
                    2. Opiates
                    3. Cocaine
                    4. Amphetamines
                    5. Barbiturates
                    6. Hallucinogens
                  B. Descriptions of commonly used drugs
                    1. Marijuana
                    2. Opiates
                    3. Cocaine
                    4. Amphetamines
                    5. Barbiturates
                    6. Hallucinogens
                  C. Methods used to distribute drugs
                  D. Narcotic investigations
                    1. Possible hazards
                    2. Methods of investigation
                    3. Informants
                  E. Physician's Desk Reference
                VII. Missing Persons
                    A. Initial Response
                    B. Nature of Response
                      1. Missing Persons Information
                      2. Suspicious Circumstances
                      3. Weather Conditions
                    C. Procedure
                  VIII. Gangs
                      A. Definition of a "Gang"
                      B. Characteristics/structure of gangs
                        1. Spontaneous
                        2. Traditional
                        3. The gang member
                      C. Types of gangs
                        1. Ethnic gangs
                        2. Female gangs
                        3. Area gangs
                        4. Motorcycle gangs
                        5. Male Gangs
                        6. Adult Gangs
                        7. Juvenile Gangs
                      D. Reasons why gangs form
                      E. How gangs form
                      F. Disassociating from gangs
                      G. Law enforcement considerations
                      H. Dress and appearance
                      I. Gang communication
                    IX. Sex Crimes Investigations
                        A. Special Considerations
                        B. Establishing Rapport
                        C. Securing Evidences
                        D. Officer Responsibilities
                        E. Against Children
                          1. Crimes against children's unit
                          2. Child laws- A.R.S. title 13, chapter 14 and 36
                          3. Elements of statutes
                          4. Child abuse
                          5. Statute of limitations
                          6. Dangerous crimes against children
                          7. Eroticized children
                      X. Victimology
                          A. Crisis intervention
                            1. Definition
                            2. Goals
                          B. Crisis intervention blueprint
                          C. Techniques for interviewing the victim of a crime
                        XI. Interview and Interrogation
                            A. Definitions
                            B. Preparation
                            C. Basic Considerations
                            D. Admonition of Rights
                            D. The Interrogation
                              1. When to Begin
                              2. Documenting the Interrogation
                              3. Notetaking
                              4. Breaking the Ice
                              5. R.P.M. Formula
                            E. Kenetics
                            F. Theme Development
                            G. Interviewing a Subject Who's Guilt is Not Known
                            H. The Nine Steps of Interrogation
                            E. Parents and Juveniles
                            F. Releasing Information to the Media
                            G. Exceptions to the Doctor/Patient Privilege
                            H. "In-the-Field" Identification
                            I. Verifying Reliability and Credibility
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