Course Syllabus

Jump to Today

CRJ 415 – Advanced Topics in Crime Scene Investigation

Tuesday/Thursday 9:30-10:45 – Gym Classroom #2

Waynesburg University

FALL 2021

 

Professor Adam Jack

Office Location: Gym Lobby

Office Phone: 724-852-3211

E-mail: ajack@waynesburg.edu

Cell: (724)433-2030

Office Hours:

M-F 8:00-9:00; F 12:00-1:00

 

 

Course Description

This course is designed explore advanced areas of crime scene investigation.  This will be an in-depth study of topics such as Autopsy, Forensic Anthropology, Collection & Preservation of Evidence, Blood Spatter Analysis, Documentation (sketching; photography; etc.), Death Scene Investigation, and Investigation of Specialized Scenes (explosions; outdoor; accidents).  Other activities will serve to give students insight into various aspects of forensic science such as crime scene investigation projects, guest speakers, and field trips.

 

Course Objectives

  1. By the end of this course the students will have an understanding of processing a crime scene, including the evaluation, collection, and preservation of forensic evidence.
  2. Students will be able to accurately document a crime scene through photography, sketching, note-taking, etc.
  3. At the completion of this course, students will be able to evaluate latent fingerprints for quality, then compare them to elimination and suspect prints.
  4. Students will understand the complexities of Death Investigations by determining whether a death was accidental, homicide, suicide, or natural.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will process a mock crime scene.
  2. Students will utilize crime scene analysis to evaluate evidence in the scene.
  3. Students will create a crime scene sketch.
  4. Students will develop, preserve, and analyze fingerprints.
  5. Students will analyze bloodstain pattern interpretation.
  6. Students will evaluate items for evidentiary value.
  7. Students will create a criminal profile in a mock case.

 

Supplemental Material: The instructor may provide additional materials including access to PowerPoint Slides.

Discussion Topics

 

Week #1                                  Syllabus/Job Search/Resume Writing/Interviewing  

                                                Scene Documentation

                                                                                                           

Week #2                                  Scene Documentation/Fingerprints

                                   

Week #3                                  Fingerprints    

                                                                                   

Week #4                                  Bloodstain Pattern Interpretation/Exam # 1              

                                                                                                           

Week #5                                  Biometrics/Criminal Profiling                       

 

Week #6                                  Bomb/Arson Scene Investigation

 

Week #7                                  Exam # 2/Case Studies

 

Week #8                                  Forensic Anthropology/Recovery of Burial Remains

 

Week #9                                  Forensic Pathology/Autopsy

 

Week #10                                Exam #3 / Death Investigation

 

Week #11                                Death Investigation

                                               

Week #12                                Presentations

                                   

Week #13                                Presentations

 

Week #14                                Presentations                          

           

FINAL EXAMINATION      Tuesday December 7 8:30-10:30       

 

**********SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE**************

  • Requests for Accommodations – Waynesburg University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities to students with documented disabilities (e.g. mental health, learning, chronic health, etc.) through reasonable accommodations. To inquire about accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office (dso@waynesburg.edu) as soon as possible, in order to engage in a confidential conversation about the process.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Grading - The following scale will be used to determine the student’s final overall grade:

 

100 - 93%  A              92 - 90%  A-

89 - 87%    B+            86 - 83%  B                 82 - 80%   B-

79 - 77%    C+            76 - 73%  C                 72 - 70%   C-

69 - 67%    D+            66 - 63%  D                62 - 60%   D-

59 - 0%      F

 

  • Attendance - Attendance will be taken at every class. If you are experiencing symptoms, or have been exposed, please follow these steps:
    • Isolate yourself as much as you can from other people.
    • Contact Student Health Services (724-852-3332). Please call first. Do not arrive at Student Health Services until you have spoken with a nurse. https://app.thera-link.com/scheduler/6e398952-f050-46aa-bb0b-733f8c31de6b (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)
    • Notify your course instructors in advance of the absence (or inability to participate), if possible.
    • Keep up with your coursework, as you are able. Participate in class activities and submit assignments electronically, to the extent possible.
    • Remain in contact with the instructor regarding deadlines and requirements.
    • Contact the Pathways Center for assistance if needed.

 

  • Cheating and Plagiarism - Personal and professional integrity are prerequisites for success in all professions, however, it is especially important in the criminal justice arena.  We need to model what we value.  Consequently, students who attempt to improve their grades or class standing by cheating on examinations or plagiarism on papers will be penalized by disciplinary action ranging from a drop in grade to a failing grade in the course.  If the situation appears to merit a more severe penalty the professor will refer the matter to the University, with a request for more formal disciplinary action.  Please read the entire Waynesburg University Academic Integrity Policy (pg. 60 2016-2017 Waynesburg University Academic Catalog).

 

  • Code of Conduct- Please note that all provisions of the Code of Conduct will apply in this course. Students who violate the Code of Conduct will be reported for disciplinary action.

 

  • Laptop Computer/Tablet/Cell Phone Usage –Cellular telephones and other communication technologies (i.e. text messaging!) can be very disruptive to the academic process. All media (cell phones, headphones, etc.) are to be turned off and placed out of sight while class is in session. Students caught checking their phones, texting, surfing the Internet, or using other media during class will be counted as absent. Students caught on their phones or using other media during an exam or any graded exercise will be cited for academic dishonesty and will be asked to immediately leave the class.

 

  • Audio/Video Recording - Students may not record the lecture or instructor without prior notification. 

 

  • Masking and Social Distancing - This guidance applies to all individuals accessing campus, including students, employees, visitors and vendors.  Regardless of vaccination status:
    • All individuals are expected to wear a mask when indoors and with another person, who is not their own roommate or housemate.  Individuals do not need to wear a mask when alone in indoor spaces, such as their own office or their own residence hall room or University house. 
    • All individuals are encouraged to wear a mask when outdoors in large groups and in densely populated outdoor spaces.
    • ​​​​​​​All individuals are encouraged to communicate and engage in a respectful manner with those around them in relation to vaccine, masking, and physical distancing preferences.

 

  • Commitment to Safety - Waynesburg University takes its obligation to lessen the spread of COVD-19 very seriously and needs the commitment of all members of the campus community.  To that end, the University reserves the right to remove any individual from campus and/or suspend them from the University or terminate their employment if there is a failure to comply with the provisions of this plan.

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due