CJS 2510 Crime Scene Processing

CJS 2510: Crime Scene Processing

Description

Crime Scene Processing develops the fundamentals of crime scene investigations. Through instruction and coaching students will develop an understanding of the different phases of crime scene examination, documentation, and evidence identification and collection. Students will be required to demonstrate proper investigation and processing skills through reality-based training exercises.

Credits

2

Prerequisite

Must be Formally accepted into the Peace Officer Program

Corequisite

None

Topics to be Covered

1. The Law, Constitutional Rights, Criminal Procedure and Rules of Evidence

2. Evidence

3. Basics of Initial Response and Investigation

4. Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogens

5. Responding and Investigating Specific Types of Calls

Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be able to successfully identify the knowledge base, respond to and properly handle all tasks associated with the following Professional Police Officer Education (PPOE) Learning objectives required by the Minnesota POST Board:

  • 3.5.1 Describe the protective equipment necessary to protect against potential hazards when collecting and processing evidence (e.g., exposure to chemicals, biological materials, sharp objects, or other dangerous substances.)
  • 3.5.2 Identify various types of evidence (e.g., blood and biological samples, weapons, explosives, arson-related materials, hair and fiber samples, impressions, fingerprints, documents, and clothing), and describe the potential risks associated with contamination of evidence.
  • 3.5.3    Demonstrate proper preservation, collection, processing, storage, and chain of custody procedures for a variety of types of evidence, (e.g., fingerprints, DNA, shoe/tire impressions, and blood spatter) to ensure integrity, admissibility, and reliability as evidence in a legal investigation.
  • 3.5.4    Demonstrate proper evidence documenting techniques (e.g., notetaking, field sketching and/or photographing/videoing and chain of custody) to ensure the preservation and reliability of evidence.
  • 3.5.5    Discuss the impact of new or emerging technologies on crime scene evidence collection and investigation.
  • 3.5.6    Recognize, secure and protect technical evidence at a crime scene, e.g., computers, phones, cameras, surveillance equipment.
  • 3.5.7    Explain the impact of the Electronic Communication Privacy Act and other pertinent case law on the collection of technological evidence.
  • 3.5.8    Discuss the importance of information obtained from electronic devices in crimes including: pornography, economic fraud, e-mail threats, extortion, gambling, identity theft, narcotics, prostitution, software piracy, and telecommunications fraud.
  • 3.6.2    Demonstrate how to safely and properly secure and protect a crime scene.
  • 3.13.18 Describe dangers associated with handling drugs and with drug production laboratories and related precautionary measures.

Credit Details

Lecture: 0

Lab: 2

OJT: 0

MnTC Goal Area(s): None