Nov 21, 2024  
DRAFT 2025-2026 College Catalog DRAFT 
    
DRAFT 2025-2026 College Catalog DRAFT [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

AJS 204 - Criminal Investigations

3 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods
Fundamentals of modern criminal investigation. Includes procedures and skills in search and investigation, conduct at the crime scene, collection and preservation of evidence, developing sources of information, preparation of cases for court prosecution, and report-writing requirements for administration and court use.

Prerequisite(s): AJS 115  
Button linking to AZ Transfer course equivalency guide    button image Prior Learning and link to PLA webpage

Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Use interpersonal skills (rapport, guided conversation & elicitation techniques and motivational interview skills) in interviews. Competency 1.2
  2. Accurately and thoroughly document a crime scene with field notes, photos, sketches, measurements, logs, evidence collection, requests for support, and reports. Competency 3.1
  3. Determine the theory of a crime, elements of the crime to be proved, solvability factors and security concerns. Competency 3.2
  4. Conduct a follow-up investigation to include research, surveillance and use of databases. Competency 3.3

Outline:
  1. Historical Origins of Criminal Investigation
    1. Instrumentation
    2. Detection
    3. Phases of an investigation
    4. Identification of suspects
  2. Note-taking and Reporting
    1. Function
    2. Purpose
    3. Contents
  3. Interviews and Interrogation
    1. Admissions
    2. Confessions
    3. Written statements
    4. Methods
  4. Sources of Information
    1. Informant
    2. Methods
    3. Uses
  5. Investigative Procedures
    1. Burglary
    2. Robbery
    3. Arson
    4. Embezzlement
    5. Forgery
    6. Homicide and aggravated assault
    7. Rape and sexual offenses
    8. Larceny
    9. Narcotics and drugs
    10. Explosives
    11. Cyber crime
  6. Investigator in Court
    1. Procedures for testimony
    2. Identification by witnesses
  7. Crime Scene Technology
    1. Photographing and videotaping
    2. Plotting method
    3. Alternative light sources
    4. Fingerprints
    5. Impressions
    6. Tracing materials
    7. Detecting dyes
    8. DNA profiling
    9. Geographic profiling