Criminal Investigations (2013)

Demonstrate employability skills required by business and industry.

Explore the roles and responsibilities of criminal investigators.

Recognize the fundamental elements of a preliminary investigation and the role it plays in the criminal trial.

Analyze the legal complexities related to a criminal investigation and search of a crime scene.

Demonstrate methods of fingerprint development.

Distinguish how impressions and tool mark evidence are used in a criminal investigation.

Analyze the significance of trace evidence in a criminal investigation.

Document concise investigative reports.

Summarize the role of the crime lab in a criminal investigation and subsequent trial.

Analyze the complex nature of a homicide investigation.

Compare the varied investigative techniques utilized when investigating major crime scenes. 

Critique various issues concerning the investigation that arise during the criminal trial. 

Communicate effectively through writing, speaking, listening, reading, and interpersonal abilities. 

Demonstrate creativity by asking challenging questions and applying innovative procedures and methods.

Exhibit critical thinking and problem solving skills to locate, analyze and apply information in career planning and employment situations.

Model work readiness traits required for success in the workplace including integrity, honesty, accountability, punctuality, time management, and respect for diversity.

Compare and contrast the roles and responsibilities of the patrol officer, detective (investigator) and crime scene technician.

Explore post-secondary opportunities for careers in criminal investigations.

Research the development of evidence processing procedures.

Identify and explain the primary duties of the responding patrol officer upon arriving at a crime scene.

Summarize the correct procedures for securing and preserving the crime scene.

Research sources of information available to investigators. 

Explain the proper method of interviewing witnesses at the crime scene. 

Distinguish between interviews and interrogations as well as confessions and admissions.

Describe the process of obtaining a search warrant prior to conducting a search at a crime scene.

Clarify the role of evidence in a criminal investigation.

Identify and describe the correct procedures for conducting a systematic search of a crime scene for evidence.

Exhibit procedures for locating and identifying evidence at a crime scene.

Explain the proper methods of photographing and videoing a crime scene.

Demonstrate the proper methods of measuring and diagramming a crime scene.

Demonstrate creating base-line and triangulation diagrams of a crime scene.

Assess the importance of recreating a crime scene.

Identify and describe fingerprint patterns and characteristics.

Compare the various methods of fingerprint development.

Demonstrate the various methods of fingerprint development.

Explain how the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is used to compare fingerprints found at a crime scene.

Examine how impression evidence is used in a criminal investigation. 

Analyze the various methods of enhancing shoe and tire impressions.

Demonstrate the various methods of enhancing shoe and tire impressions. 

Demonstrate producing casts of footwear and tire impressions.

Identify and explain the correct procedures for properly collecting and preserving weapons, shell casings and ballistic evidence.

Explain how weapons, shell casings and ballistic evidence are used in a criminal investigation.

Describe how ballistic evidence is created and how it is used in an investigation.

Assess how bite marks can be examined for evidence in a criminal investigation.

Interpret how hair and fiber evidence is used in a criminal investigation.

Identify and describe the correct procedures for properly collecting and preserving hair and fiber evidence.

Assess how paint, glass, and soil evidence is used in a criminal investigation.

Analyze the correct procedures for properly collecting and preserving paint, glass, and soil evidence.

Explain how blood and other bodily fluid evidence are used in a criminal investigation. 

Investigate the correct procedures for properly collecting and preserving blood and other bodily fluid evidence.

Examine the correct procedures for collecting and preserving various types of trace evidence (hair, fibers, paint, glass, soil and bodily fluids).

Identify and explain the appropriate reports commonly associated with a criminal investigation.

Create clear, concise, and thorough reports.

Explain the significance of accurate and complete reports and the complete case file.

Submit a complete, accurate case file for a mock crime scene investigation.

Explain the role of the crime lab in a criminal investigation.

Identify and describe the various tests that may be performed on evidence submitted to the crime lab.

Examine the various manners of death related to a homicide investigation.

Assess the various methods of identification of the deceased found at a crime scene.

 Distinguish signs that indicate a suspicious manner of death.

 Identify and describe various signs of death.

Compare and contrast arson investigations, including elements of specific arson offenses; detecting motives for an arson fire/explosion to be utilized; and assessing indicators that a fire may have been intentionally set.

Compare and contract terrorist incident investigations, including analyzing key beliefs of domestic and international terror groups, and investigating various types of weapons of mass destruction and their effects. 

Compare and contract gangs and organized crime investigations, including examining the provisions of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act; comparing characteristics of past and present organized crime and gang activity; describing operations of street gangs; and researching effective techniques used to investigate organized crime or gang activity.

Compare and contrast cyber-crime investigations, including critiquing crimes commonly committed using cyber technology; classifying most likely people to be victimized by cyber-crime; and identifying investigative techniques used to combat cyber-crimes. 

Compare and contrast serial offender investigations, including examining criminal profiling and the role of the profiler in an investigation; analyzing the basic profile of a serial killer; and summarizing the role of a profiler in a serial investigation and as an expert witness during prosecution.

Demonstrate court room testimony related to the criminal investigation.

Clarify the issue of qualifying an “expert” witness.

Explain the issues related to chain of custody and admissibility of evidence.

Discuss the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) effect and the resulting problems that may arise during criminal prosecution.

Evaluate the role of a suppression hearing.