Apr 29, 2025  
College Catalog 2025-2026 
    
College Catalog 2025-2026
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CRIM 2320 - Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)

Credit Hours: 4.00


Prerequisites: None

(formerly LAWE 2355)

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

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 apply various scientific methods used in crime scene investigation.

Objectives:

  1. Demonstrate 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 scene.

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 toward value interpretation of evidence.
  5. Interpret crime scene 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 relationships between record keeping and case linkages toward successful resolution in the investigatory process.
  2. Describe 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 existing standards for investigation.
  4. Explain 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
1. Introductions
  Syllabus
   
2. Lecture Chapter 1
  Homework assignments:
 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIDTERM
Make up experiments 1‐5

  Homework assignments
 

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

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

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

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

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

   
14. Lecture Chapter 17
  Experiment 10 “Casting”
   
15. FINAL
  Makeup Experiments 6‐10
   
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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