Dec 26, 2024  
College Catalog 2024-2025 
    
College Catalog 2024-2025
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LAWE 2355 - Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)

Credit Hours: 4.00


Prerequisites: None

(formerly LAWE 2350)

This course provides hands on experience with the various methods of crime scene analysis, evidence collection and preservation, determining modus operandi, and case preparation used by the crime scene investigator.

Billable Contact Hours: 4

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Transfer Possibilities
Michigan Transfer Network (MiTransfer) - Utilize this website to easily search how your credits transfer to colleges and universities.
OUTCOMES AND OBJECTIVES
Outcome 1: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to collect data (including written, photographic and computer recording) from the evidence available at the scenes of crimes.

Objectives:

  1. Given a mock crime scene scenario, demonstrate the skills to conduct specific searches and analysis subject to existing standards in the field.
  2. Identify key evidence concepts and their major impact on case analysis.
  3. Employ scientific methodology in investigative applications.

Outcome 2: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to describe various scientific methods used in crime scene investigation

Objectives:

  1. Demonstrate the basic principles of dactylography (latent, patent and comparison).
  2. Explain the principles of kinetic energy as they relate to criminal investigations
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of metrology via applicable equipment in forensic areas.

Outcome 3: Upon Completion of this course, students will be able to reconstruct a crime through the interpretation of evidence.

Objectives:

  1. Identify glazing patterns and their applications.
  2. Explain fluid pattern behavior as it applies to investigations.
  3. Recognize physical characteristics in terminal trauma cases for use in Reconstruction of behavior.
  4. Employ state of the art technology in the field directed towards value interpretation of evidence.

Outcome 4: Upon Completion of this course, students will be able to explain the importance of proper documentation in preserving the chain of evidence.

Objectives:

  1. Explain the relationships between record keeping and case linkages towards successful resolution in the investigatory process.
  2. Describe the investigative strengths of case presentation and analysis using high profile documented cases.
  3. Complete an in‐depth interpretation of various types of related physical evidence for inclusion into the encapsulation and reporting as determined by the existing standards for investigation.
  4. Explain the investigative weakness of case presentation and analysis using high profile documented cases.

COMMON DEGREE OUTCOMES (CDO)
  • Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
  • Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
  • Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
  • Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
  • Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
  • Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.
CDO marked YES apply to this course:
Communication: YES
Critical Thinking: YES
Global Literacy: YES
Information Literacy: YES
Quantitative Reasoning: YES
Scientific Literacy: YES

COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE

Week 1 Introductions
  Syllabus
   
Week 2 Lecture Chapter 1
  Homework assignments:
 

Reading - Chapter 1 and Chapter 4 pp. 100‐103
Questions - p.24 1, 3, 9, 28, 29

   
Week 3 Lecture Chapter 1
  Experiment 1 “Metrology”
  Homework assignments:
 

Reading - Chapter 2
Questions p.48 1, 11, 17, AND define rough/finished sketch

   
Week 4 Lecture Chapter 2
  Experiment 2 “Crime Scene”
  Homework assignments:
 

Reading - Chapter 3
Questions p.82 1, 5, 6, 11, 13

   
Week 5 Lecture Chapter 3
  Experiment 3 “Evidence Collection”
  Homework assignments:
 

Reading - Chapter 4
Questions p.115 1, 3, 7, 15, 17

Week 6 Lecture Chapter 4
  Experiment 4 “Glass Breakage”
  Homework assignments:
 

Reading ‐ Chapter 7
Questions p.181 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

   
Week 7 Lecture Chapter 7
  Experiment 5 “Microscope”
   
Week 8 Research Paper
   
Week 9 Review Midterm
 

MIDTERM
Make up experiments 1‐5

  Homework assignments
 

Reading ‐ Chapter 9
Questions p.237 1, 2, 5, 10, 11

   
Week 10 Lecture Chapter 9
  Experiment 6 “Alcohol”
  Homework assignments
 

Reading Chapter 16
Questions p.413 1, 2, 3, 7, 11

   
Week 11 ORAL PRESENTATIONS DUE
   
Week 12 Lecture Chapter 16
  Experiment 8 “Fingerprints Impressions”
   
Week 13 Lecture Chapter 16
  Experiment 9 “Fingerprints Lifting”
  Homework assignments
 

Reading ‐ Chapter 17
Questions p.447 2, 23, 35

   
Week 14 Lecture Chapter 17
  Experiment 10 “Casting”
   
Week 15 FINAL
  Makeup Experiments 6‐10
   
Week 16 Evaluations and critique
  Individual student assessments

Primary Faculty
Bowlin, Samantha
Secondary Faculty

Associate Dean
Lopez, Michael
Dean
Mirijanian, Narine



Primary Syllabus - Macomb Community College, 14500 E 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48088



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