Introduction to the field of criminalistics. Topics include the application of scientific and technical methods in the investigation of crime Including location, identification, and handling of evidence for scientific analysis.
Grade Basis: L
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0
American crime problems in historical perspective; social and public policy factors affecting crimes; impact and crime trends; social characteristics of specific crime; prevention of crime. End-of-Course Outcomes: Explain the psychological, social, and economic impact of crime in society; and identify characteristics and prevention of major crimes. Cross Reference: This course is parallel to the Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM) course, CRIJ 1307.
Grade Basis: L
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0
The judiciary in the criminal justice system; structure of the American court system; prosecution; right to counsel; pre-trial release; grand juries; adjudication process; types and rules of evidence, sentencing. End-of-Course Outcomes: Describe the American judiciary system and its structure; identify the roles of judicial officers; identify the trial processes from pretrial to sentencing; and interpret the role of evidence.
Grade Basis: L
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0
History and philosophy of criminal justice and ethical considerations; crime defined; its nature and impact; overview of criminal justice system; law enforcement; prosecution and defense; trial process; corrections. End-of-Course Outcomes: Describe and explain the history, philosophy and ethical considerations of criminal justice; define the nature and impact of crime on society and how it is integrated in to the criminal justice system; distinguish between the civil and criminal courts; and interpret the relationship between the components of the criminal justice system.
Grade Basis: L
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0
A study of the nature of criminal law; philosophical and historical development; major definitions and concepts; classification of crime; elements of crimes and penalties using Texas statutes as illustrations; criminal responsibility. End-of-Course Outcomes: Explain the historical and philosophical development of the nature of criminal law; describe definitions and concepts of criminal law, classifications of crimes, the elements of offenses and penalties using Texas statutes as illustrations; and discuss criminal responsibilities as they apply to the criminal statutes.
Grade Basis: L
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0
Investigative theory; collection and preservation of evidence; source of information; interview and interrogation; uses of forensic sciences; case and trial preparation. End-Of-Course Outcomes: Define the goals and objectives of criminal investigations; illustrate the use of forensic science for various statutory offenses; and organize the criminal case including field notes, reports, crime scene activities, and mandatory documentation of statutory warning.
Grade Basis: L
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0
The police profession; organization of law enforcement systems; the police role; police discretion; ethics; police-community interaction; current and future issues. End-Of-Course Outcomes: Explain the application of ethics, discretion, and sensitivity to the police profession; and describe the organization of law enforcement systems and its relationship to current and future issues.
Grade Basis: L
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0
Topics address recently identified current events, skills, knowledge, and/or attitudes and behaviors pertinent to the technology or occupation and relevant to the professional development of the student. This course was designed to be multiple times to improve student proficiency.
Grade Basis: L
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0
Police authority; responsibilities; constitutional constraints; laws of arrest, search, and seizure; police liability. End-Of-Course Outcomes: Define police authority, explain the responsibilities and constitutional restraints as enumerated in the Texas Constitution, United States Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Outline the law of arrest and search and seizure developed through court decisions and describe the criminal and civil liability that result from improper acts and/or the failure to act.
Grade Basis: L
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0
Theory and practice of crime scene investigation. Topics include report writing, blood and other body fluids, document examination, etchings, casts and molds, glass fractures, use of microscope, and firearms identification.
Grade Basis: L
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0
A series of lectures and class participation exercises presenting selected topics currently confronting criminal justice personnel and the public they serve.
Grade Basis: L
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0
An experience external to the college for an advanced student in a specialized field involving a written agreement between the educational institution and a criminal justice agency. Mentored and supervised by a workplace employee, the student achieves objectives that are developed and documented by the college and that are directly related to specific occupational outcomes. This may be a paid or unpaid experience. This course may be repeated if topics and learning outcomes vary.
Grade Basis: L
Credit hours: 3.0
Restrictions: