Fall 2024
Criminalistics I
Approved: Initials/date CJSA_1308 CREDIT 3 semester credit hours (3 hours lecture) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Face to Face PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: Complete the Online Orientation and answered 7+ questions correctly on the Online Learner Self-Assessment: http://www.lit.edu/depts/DistanceEd/OnlineOrientation/OOStep2.aspx COURSE DESCRIPTION A study of the practical aspects of criminalistics procedures. Topics include crime scene investigation, collecting and preserving evidence, and testifying in court. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to 1. Conduct a crime scene investigation under simulated circumstances. 2. Demonstrate proper methods of identifying, collecting, preserving evidence for crime laboratory analysis. 3. Demonstrate proper courtroom demeanor and methods of testifying INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Samuel Laird Email: Samuel.laird@gccisd.net Office Phone: 281-421-4400 x86860 Office Location: Room SW210 Office Hours: 7AM-3PM REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Computer for PowerPoint slides on Blackboard ATTENDANCE POLICY 128 hours are required of this program and student must complete all those hours in order to receive credit for the course DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. COURSE CALENDAR DATE TOPIC READINGS (Due on this Date) ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) 08-26-24 Orientation Assignment 08-30-24 09-02-24 Chapters 1-4 09-06-24 09-13-24 09-16-24 EXAM 1 09-20-24 9-30-24 Chapters 5-8 10-03-24 10-11-24 10-14-24 EXAM 2 10-18-24 10-25-24 Chapters 9-12 10-30-24 11-08-24 11-11-24 EXAM 3 11-15-24 11-18-24 Course Projects 11-22-24 11-25-24 Thanksgiving Break 11-29-24 12-02-24 Final Exams Black Board 12-06-24 COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: 1. Assignments 40% 2. Tests 40% 3. Paper/Project 20% GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc. can be online at https://lit.edu/online-learning/online-learning-minimum-computer-requirements. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or Wi-Fi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION 1. You must log onto Blackboard and access this course a minimum of three times per week. 2. Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. 3. If you wish to drop a course, the student is responsible for initiating and dropping the course. If you stop logging-in to the course and do not complete the course drop process, then you will receive an “F” grade for the course 4. Internet Usage – Students are expected to use proper net etiquette while participating in course emails, assignment submissions, and online discussions.