Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation

Catalog description

This course offers an exploration of the science, management, and investigative techniques for the field of crime scene investigation. Students will develop the intellectual skills needed to plan for and organize a crime scene investigation, including crime scene approach and management; how to be tenacious when recovering and developing evidence; prescribing and amending crime scene search plans; making competent use of limited time, human, and other resources; and understanding and accounting for chain of custody. Throughout the course, students will employ the philosophies and practice of science to the investigation of crimes. Each student will understand the nature and value of each kind of physical evidence and how to recognize, collect, and preserve it. They will generate hypotheses of crimes based on evidence and use deduction in a scientific manner. Students will learn to prescribe recovery and development cascades for: fingerprints, trace evidence, impression evidence, and biological evidence, as well gain an understanding of the science behind the methods used for each type of evidence. The advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of these methods will be discussed. Additionally, students will gain experience by performing crime scene investigation exercises that enhance their understanding of the science and methodology discussed, including processing a mock crime scene.