Selected Topics in Crime and Justice Studies

Introduction to Crime Scene Search Investigations, CJS 4396.002

Spring 2006

Instructor John E. Mowery

Telephone 972-205-2046
e-mail address: moweryj@ci.garland.tx.us

Course Description:
CJS 4396.002 is a course designed to provide students with an overview
of the techniques and processes utilized to effectively investigate a crime
scene. The goal of this course is to provide the student with the knowledge
to understand the various steps required to process a crime scene for
evidence.

Course Objectives:
To help the student understand the complexities involved in processing a
crime scene for physical evidence.
To develop an understanding in the role science plays in processing the
crime scene.
To better understand the importance of an effective crime scene
investigation versus a poorly conducted crime scene investigation.

Special Note Regarding this semester:

It is important that you keep up with the assigned readings to ensure you
get the most from the lectures.

Attendance:
Students are expected to attend class. It is the responsibility of the student
to make arrangements with the instructor regarding absences on test days
and when and if homework is due. MAKE-UP QUIZZES OR EXAMS
ARE FROWNED UPON. Written explanations are required and students
must make arrangement prior to the absence if possible.
Attendance during presentations, videos, guest speakers or field trips is
mandatory, the cost of missing one without a university excused absence
is a zero on the points assigned for that day.
The syllabus is TENTATIVE. The scheduled readings, videos, speakers,
field trips, etc. are subject to change. Changes will be posted Web CT and
announced in class.

Requirements:
Text: Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation (Seventh Edition), Barry
A. J. Fisher, 2004, CRC Press.
 Handout: Crime Scene Search Training.

Examinations: There will be three multiple choice/narrative exams in this

course and one optional cumulative final.
The exams for this course will consist of multiple choice and short
answer questions. Failure to take an exam will result in a zero
grade (unless you have been granted permission from the instructor
prior to the exam or have documented evidence of illness, etc.).
Please avoid make-up exams. Exams are scheduled well in
advance and you should make plans accordingly.
All grades will be posted on Web CT. If you have taken all three
exams, and are satisfied with your grade, do not take the final. If,
however, you are not satisfied with your grade, you may take the
cumulative final and substitute one of your other test grades.
Remember, THE FINAL CAN RAISE YOUR COURSE GRADE.
Once you sit for any exam you will receive a grade for that exam
(including the optional cumulative final).
Please, bring picture identification to each exam.
Exam questions will be taken from lecture, text and the handout.
Your daily attendance and note taking will help you in exam
preparation.
In-Class Writing Assignments: These writings will be conducted on
various unannounced days during the course, and will reflect the reading
materials for that day. There will be no make-up for writing assignments.
Extra Credit: If extra credit assignments are offered they will be offered to
the entire class to be fair.

Evaluation:
Exam 1: 100 points
Exam 2: 100 points
Exam 3: 100 points
Exam 4: 100 points
In –class writing assignments and other assignments, etc.

Final grades will be awarded according to the following percentage scale:

A: 94 and above A-:90-93 B+:87-89 B:84-86 B-:80-83 C+:77-79 C:74-76
C-:70-73 D:60-69 F:59 and below.

Academic Integrity:
Academy integrity is the pursuit of scholarly free from fraud and
deception and is an educational objective of this institution.
For rules and information about Academic Dishonesty see the
following website:
www.utdallas/edu/student/slife/dishonesty.html
Academic Dishonesty:
This includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarizing (including the
failure to properly cite sources), fabrication of information or citations,
facilitating acts of academic dishonesty of others, having unauthorized
possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work
previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the
academic work of other students. Please do your own work.
ALL violations of academic integrity will be reported to the Dean of
Students.

Disability Services:
UTD is committed to providing educational opportunities for all persons.
If you anticipate needing accommodations for learning differences, please
let me know. If you require accommodations, please make sure that you
are properly registered with the Disabilities Services Office (972)883-
2070.
If you have a condition that requires accommodation in this course, please
see the instructor after class the first night. I will appropriate
accommodations provided timely notice is received and the arrangement is
consistent with any recommendations from Disability Services, when
applicable.

Course Announcements:
Course announcements will be made via WebCT and in class. You are
responsible for keeping up with all announcements (e.g., schedule
changes, cancellations, etc.).

Tentative Class Schedule

Changes may be made to this schedule. I will also announce changes in class, You
are responsible for all changes (e.g., reading assignments, assignment deadlines,
etc.).

Date Topic Assigned Chapter

Before Class Reading Assignments

01/10 Course and Syllabi Orientation; Handout Sect. 1.0

History Crime Scene Search;
Purpose and Objective Defined.
01/17 First Officer and Examination Text Chapters 2 & 3
Handout section 2.0
01/24 Processing the Scene Text Chapter 5
Handout Sections 2.0;3.0;5.0
01/31 Exam 1 (45 minutes)
Processing Scene Cont. Same as above.
02/07 Fingerprints Text Chapter 6
02/07 Continued Handout Section 8.0
02/14 Fingerprints Cont. Same as above.
Trace Evidence Text Chapter 8
Handout Section 7
02/21 Field Trip Garland
Forensic Building
02/28 Exam 2 (45 minutes)
Crime Scene Photos Text Chapter 5
Handout Section 5
03/07 Spring break
03/14 Collection of Evidence Text Chapter s 7-10
Handout Section 7.0
03/21 Evidence Collection
Cont. Same as above
03/28 Exam 3 (45 minutes) Text Chapters 13-15
Specific Investigative Handout 9.0-9.5
Situations
04/04 Specific Investigative
Situations Cont Same as above
Video Analysis
04/11 Homicide Investigation Text Chapter 16
Handout Section 9.6
04/18 Homicide Invest. Cont. Same as above
Suicide Investigation Handout Section 9.7
04/25 Final Exam

CAUTION: SOME MATERIALS UTILIZED IN THIS COURSE MAY BE

GRAPHIC. IF YOU THINK YOU WILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT
MATERIAL AND I WILL WORK SOMETHIG OUT FOR YOU DURING THAT
PART OF THE LECTURE.