Spring 2025
Criminalistics III
Approved: TNS 1/27/25 CJSA 2332-9G1 CRIMINALIST III CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION FACE TO FACE PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: NONE 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: Timothy Dinger Email: timothy.dinger@gccisd.net Office Phone: 281-421-4400 Office Location: SW210 Office Hours: M-F 7:00am-4:00pm REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS N/A hands on ATTENDANCE POLICY 128 hours are required of this program and student must complete all those hours 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) WEEK 1 Introduction/ Orientation February 2, 2025 Week 2 Digital & Ink Fingerprinting February 23, 2025 Week 3 Photography & Lighting February 23, 2025 Week 4 Laten prints February 23, 2025 Week 5 Laten prints March 23, 2025 Week 6 Laten prints March 23, 2025 Week 7 Laten prints March 23, 2025 Week 8 Wet Evidence, Arson, Firearms March 23, 2025 Week 9 Searches, Sketches, Reports, Testimony April 20, 2025 Week 10 Crime Scene #1 April 20, 2025 Week 11 Crime Scene #2 April 20, 2025 Week 12 Crime Scene #3 April 20, 2025 Week 13 Crime Scene #4 April 30, 2025 Week 14 Testimony/Wrap up–JOURNALS DUE April 30, 2025 Week15 Testimony/Wrap up–JOURNALS DUE May 06,2025 Week 16 Final Week May 7-12,2025 COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • Tests 10% • Participation/Attendance 10% • Assignments 30% • Crime Scene Project(s) 50% 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 a. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi 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. Participation is required 2. Work hours, assignments and documentation will be coordinated between the student and assigned program supervisor/manager and agency. 3. Specific program policies and requirements will necessarily be commensurate with the assigned organization. 4. If for any reason the student cannot fulfill his/her required hours or is terminated from organization/agency student will result in a grade of F in the course. 5. Successful completion of the practicum journal/essay/oral exit/evaluations. 6. Additional class policies as defined by the individual course instructor