Crime Scene Investigation University of Texas at El Paso CRIJ 4300 Fall Semester 2014 MWF 07:30-08:50 UGLC 336

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1 Crime Scene Investigation University of Texas at El Paso CRIJ 4300 Fall Semester 2014 MWF 07:30-08:50 UGLC 336 Ms. Bernadette Ortega Office: (915) Office Hours: Immediately before or after class; Call for appointment Assistance From: Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst, Danny Garcia Facilitator Availability: Students can contact me via e- mail on an asynchronous basis. I will reply to the student s message at the first opportunity. Please do not call to say you re running late or not attending class. Course Description: This course addresses various areas of crime scene investigation. The student will participate in discussions and hands- on assignments to gain a real world understanding of what crime scene investigation entails. The course may also act as a pre- requisite for an internship with the El Paso County Sheriff s Office Crime Scene Unit. Course Requirements: Students will be required to read each chapter, participate in class discussions, and be ready to discuss current events in crime scene investigation as they occur. Student s constructive participation provides timely and relevant discussion, exhibits independent thought, facilitates creative expression, asks pertinent questions, and demonstrates knowledge of the material and application of the learning objectives. Factual and informed disagreement with the instructor or other students is also encouraged and not penalized. Course Goals: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental elements and techniques of proper crime scene investigation. Students will follow logical approaches for identification, collection, and documentation of crime scene evidence ensuring the chain of custody is maintained. Classroom lectures, hands- on exercises, assignments, as well as a final mock crime scene will be conducted over the course of the semester.

2 Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the students should be able to: 1. Explain general crime scene procedures such as: a. Crime scene management b. First responding officer s duties c. Securing the crime scene d. Basic crime scene processing 2. Know and demonstrate the proper techniques to examine and process a crime scene including, but not limited to: a. Crime scene searching b. Photography c. Sketching and documentation d. Evidence identification, preservation, and collection e. Using an alternative light source f. Recognize stages of decomposition g. Knowing various characteristics of causes and manners of death 3. Recognize, process, and collect certain types of evidence: a. Fingerprints and Palm Prints b. Trace and Impression Evidence c. Body Fluid Evidence d. Blood Spatter Evidence e. Firearms and Toolmark Evidence f. Fire Scene Evidence and Explosives g. Cyber Evidence h. Documentary Evidence i. Motor Vehicles 4. Investigation Responsibilities a. Preparing for court b. Knowledge of case law pertinent to crime scene investigation c. Testimony as an expert witness d. Goal of a crime scene investigator in court Evaluation Methods, Grading Policy, and Grading Scale: Written examinations, crime scene practicals, Blackboard questions (based on both lecture and assigned readings), and attendance will dictate your final grade in this class. Discussion questions will be graded on three main areas: APA format, grammar/spelling, and content. Written Exams: Practicals: 25% x 2 = 50% 10%

3 s: 10% Attendance: 10% Final Exam/Mock Crime Scene: 20% (Performance/Notebook/Organization/Final Report) Grading: A = % B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = Below 59% or three or more un- excused absences Competency: Students are expected to maintain a B average in course work and demonstrate the appropriate methods for investigating a mock crime scene. Blackboard: This class contains courses that you can access through your my.utep.edu portal. This is where assignments will be posted. me only through blackboard for blackboard related concerns as this is different than that of your UTEP . Each student is expected to participate in online discussion questions as it is a portion of your overall grade and it takes the place of Friday s classroom instruction. Each discussion question will require each student to write at least 250 words in response to a question which will be provided by the instructor. Outside Instruction: There will be times when some of the instruction cannot be presented inside the classroom setting due to time, materials, and space required. In the past, I have had students meet at a designated area when all schedules allow for instruction to properly take place. Advance notice will be given so that students can make the necessary arrangements to attend. Academic Integrity: Each student should do their own work unless otherwise specified (practicals). Cheating is prohibited and documented cheating is subject to dismissal from the Criminal Justice Program and possible dismissal from school. Attendance and Make- up Policy: Attendance is mandatory. Crime Scene Investigations is difficult to cram into one semester so each class represents an important topic that in most cases, will be impossible to grasp the concept if not present. Roll will be checked in every class meeting. If you are sick or are not able to make it to class, notification ( /discussion) is required BEFORE class time. If you are unable to take an exam on the selected day, arrangements must be made BEFORE the scheduled date to take the exam. A failing grade will be recorded for students who do not make up material missed due to absences. After three unexcused absences are recorded, the student will be penalized from the 10% allotted for attendance. Arriving On Time:

4 This class is early and at the start of all our days. Although traffic and illness can constitute as legitimate reasons for tardiness, continuous late arrivals is an indication of improper time management. Showing up late to a crime scene can result in missing key pieces of evidence before it is destroyed; thus, time management is a trait to be refined. If noted tardiness occurs over 5 classes, deductions will commence from the 10% allotted for attendance. Housekeeping: Cell phones must be turned off or put on silent mode, as well as pagers (yes, those are still in use). The use of the cell phone and texting is not allowed in class. Please try to make all of your calls during the break. If you must take a call during class, step outside the classroom. All laptops must remain OFF during class unless approved by instructor. Course Text Books: A. Crime Scene Investigation (2 nd Edition) by Fish, Miller, and Braswell, 2011 B. Criminal Investigation (8 th Edition) by Bennett and Hess, 2007 Can purchase previous editions, content is similar (and less costly don t tell the bookstore) DATE DAY SUBJECT ASSIGNMENT AUG 25th M Introduction: Class format, policy, and syllabus distribution Chapter 1 (A) AUG 27th W The First Response Chapter 2 (A)/ Chapter 1 & 4 (B) AUG 29th F BLACKBOARD SEPT 1st M Holiday Labor Day SEPT 3rd W Documenting the Crime Scene/ Sketching Practical Chapter 3 (A) / Chapter 2 (B) SEPT 5th F BLACKBOARD SEPT 8th M Crimes Against People Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12 (B) SEPT 10th W Crimes Against Property Chapters 13, 14 (B) Census Day SEPT 12th F BLACKBOARD SEPT 15th M Science Behind Fingerprints Chapter 4 (A) SEPT 17th W Fingerprint Practical Link to text will be prov. SEPT 19th F BLACKBOARD SEPT 22nd M Palm Impressions Link to text will be prov. SEPT 24th W Palm Impressions Practical SEPT 26th F BLACKBOARD SEPT 29th M Types of Evidence Chapter 5 (A)

5 OCT 1st W Identifying Evidence / REVIEW Chapter 5 (B)/ Chapter 11 (A) OCT 3rd F EXAM 1 OCT 6th M Blood Spatter Evidence Chapter 7 (A) OCT 8th W Blood Spatter Practical OCT 10th F BLACKBOARD OCT 13th M Body Fluid Evidence Chapter 6 (A) OCT 15th W Firearms and Toolmark Evidence Chapter 8(A) OCT 17th F BLACKBOARD OCT 20st M Arson and Explosives Chapter 9 (A)/ Chapter 16 (B) OCT 22nd W The Electronic Crime Scene Chapter 10 (A)/ Chapter 17 (B) OCT 24th F BLACKBOARD OCT 27th M Motor Vehicle Accident Investigations - Practical* Chapter 12 (A) OCT 29th W Motor Vehicle Accident Investigations - Practical* Chapter 15 (B) OCT 31st F BLACKBOARD (Last Day to Drop) NOV 3rd M Death Investigations Chapter 8 (B) NOV 5th W Death Investigations / REVIEW Chapter 13 (A) NOV 7th F EXAM 2 NOV 10th M Forensic Anthropology, Odontology, and Entomology Chapter 14 (A) NOV 12th W Forensic Anthropology Practical NOV 14th F BLACKBOARD NOV 17th M Drug Related Crime Chapter 18 (B) NOV 19th W Terrorism and Homeland Security/Cadaver Program Chapter 20 (B) NOV 21st F BLACKBOARD NOV 24th M Documenting Investigations Chapter 15 (A) NOV 26th W BLACKBOARD NOV 28th F Thanksgiving Holiday No Classes DEC 1st M Report Writing Practical Chapter 3 (B) DEC 3rd W Preparing for and Presenting Cases/Court Room Testimony Chapter 21 (B) DEC 5th F Dead Day DEC 8th M FINALS WEEK - NO CLASS DEC 10th W FINALS WEEK - NO CLASS DEC 12th F FINAL EXAM * *Possible change of instruction location Schedule subject to change