CJFS 3410 - Crime Scene and Death Investigation

Goals: Identify the role and responsibilities of a crime scene investigator. To develop skills in the investigation of crime scenes; to work individually and collaboratively to identify, collect, and preserve evidence; produce a thorough crime scene report, and discuss potential challenges posed by death scene investigation and complex crime scenes.

Content: This course will provide students with the basic competencies required of a crime scene examiner. This course will focus on developing a consistent approach to the processing of a crime scene. During the class, emphasis will be given to aspects such as entering and securing the crime scene; documentation; note taking; searching for physical evidence; chain of custody; collection and packaging of evidence; crime scene safety and processing of evidence. Procedures will be emphasized to ensure that evidence is protected and recovered for future laboratory examination such as latent prints, trace evidence, impression evidence and biological materials in accordance with known standards. Mock crime scenes are incorporated into this course to facilitate student application of knowledge in practical casework. Crime scenes will also focus on the development of specialized skills and techniques, such as those needed to investigate deaths potentially caused by blunt force injury, gunshot wounds, sharp force injury, and various other mechanisms of homicide.

Taught: Annually, spring

Prerequisites: CJFS 3400

Credits: 4