Fall 2025
Criminal Investigation
Approved: TNS 8/15/2025 Criminal Investigation (CRIJ 2314) Online CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Online PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: Completed 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 Investigative theory; collection and preservation of evidence; sources of information; interview and interrogation; uses of forensic sciences; case and trial preparation. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to • Define the goals and objectives of criminal investigation. • Demonstrate ability to conduct proper crime scene investigations. • Organize the criminal case including field notes, reports, and crime scene. • Students will define the responsibilities of Law Enforcement and Constitutional restraints. • Students will analyze landmark supreme court cases that impact law enforcement. • Demonstrate understanding of the daily functioning of the criminal justice system. • Students will be able to compare and contrast current supreme court cases to past supreme court cases. • Students will discuss how do Law enforcement affects society. • Students will discuss probable cause, stop, and frisk, Miranda Warning and what is needed for a search warrant. • Students will demonstrate the basic knowledge to prepare for law enforcement career activities. INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Anthony Clifton, M.S.C.J. Email: aclifton@lit.edu Office Phone: 337-476-1468 Office Location: Technology Center (TC) Office Hours: Office Hours Monday-Friday 6pm-8pm REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Criminal Investigation by Karen M. Hess, Christine Hess Orthmann, and Henry Lim Cho (11TH edition) ATTENDANCE POLICY Online Participation is Mandatory 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) August 25, 2025 Orientation Assignment Discussion Board 1: – Introductions and Why Is Distance Learning Right for you? August 29, 2025 August 29, 2025 September 2, 2025 Assignment 1 Discussion Board 2: Discuss Supreme Court Case Miranda v Arizona. Why is this Supreme Court case monumental to the days criminal justice system. • Make a Post and respond to two Classmates Read Chapters 1-2 September 5, 2025 September 5, 2025 September 8, 2025 Assignment 2 Discussion Board 3: Discuss Supreme Court Case Court case Mapp v Ohio • Make a Post and Respond to two Classmates Read Chapters 3-4 September 12, 2025 September 12, 2025 September 15, 2025 Assignment 3 Discussion Board 4: Why is effective Report Writing important in the Criminal Justice Field? • Make a Post and Respond to two Classmates • Quiz 1 Read Chapter 5 September 19, 2025 September 19, 2025 September 22, 2025 • Assignment 4 2-3 Page Essay Please pick 1 of the 4 Supreme Court Cases and write an essay. The essay must include an Introduction Page, 3 body paragraphs and a conclusion. • Gideon v Wainwright (1963) • Katz v. United States (1967) • Carroll v United States (1925) • Batson v Kentucky (1986) September 26, 2025 September 26, 2025 September 29, 2025 Assignment 5 Complete Assignment 5 Please provide the source, including the page number or reference. Exam 1 Read Chapters 6-7 October 3, 2025 October 3, 2025 October 6, 2025 Assignment 6 Complete Assignment 6 Please provide the source, including the page number or reference. Read Chapters 8-9 October 10, 2025 October 10, 2025 October 13, 2025 Assignment 7 Discussion Board 5: Between the Difference in Smuggling and Trafficking • Make a Post and Respond to two Classmates • Quiz 2 October 17, 2025 October 17, 2025 October 20, 2025 Assignment 8 Complete Assignment 8 Please provide the source, including the page number or reference. • Pick two crimes and explain the difference between the two crimes. Read Chapters 10- 11 October 24, 2025 October 24, 2025 October 27,2025 Assignment 9 Discussion Board 6: Cyber Crimes and Arson crimes are the hardest to solve, why? • Make a Post and Respond to two Classmates Exam 2 Read Chapters 12-15 October 31,2025 October 31, 2025 November 3, 2025 Assignment 10 Read Chapters 18-21 Complete Assignment 10 Please provide the source, including the page number or reference. Read Chapters 16- 17 November 7, 2025 November 7, 2025 November 10, 2025 Assignment 11 Kalief Browder Research - (Every page should have a running header and page numbers) 6–8-page paper. • Title Page • Introduction Page November 14, 2025 November 14, 2025 • Findings and Results of the Research of Kalief Browder • What could have been done differently? • What rights were violated during the interrogation of Kalief Browder? • What is your opinion of the investigation based on what you learned during this course? • What were the results of Browder’s release? • How did Browder react once he was released? • Opinions on the outcome and Results of Browder’s release. • References • Quiz 3 November 17, 2025 Assignment 12 Discussion Board: Discuss what you have learned from your research of Kalief Browder. • Make a Post and Respond to two Classmates November 21, 2025 November 21, 2025 November 24, 2025 • Assignment 13 Ted Bundy PowerPoint Presentation PowerPoint Presentation on Ted Bundy PowerPoint Presentation needs to be at least 15 slides minimum. • Please ensure you have a title page. • Facts, Findings, Results, and reference page about the Ted Bundy investigation • Who were Ted Bundy’s victims? • Did Bundy use his looks and Charisma? • How many victims did allegedly do Bundy have? • How many states did Bundy commit his crimes? • What is your opinion of the investigation based on what you learned during this course? November 26, 2025 November 26, 2025 What were the results of Bundy’s incarceration? Exam 3 THANKSGIVING BREAK!!! THANKSGIVING BREAK!!! THANKSGIVING BREAK!!! THANKSGIVING BREAK!!! December 1, 2025 Assignment 14 Discussion Board: Discuss what you have learned from your research of Ted Bundy. • Make a Post and Respond to two Classmates. December 3, 2025 December 3, 2025 December 1, 2025 Final Exam December 3, 2025 December 3, 2025 COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: 1. Unit Tests 60% 2. Final Exam 10% 3. Research/PowerPoint Presentation 10% 4. Class/Study Assignments 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 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 Instructor Expectations from Students: • Instructor will provide weekly email responses within 24-hours of receipt during the hours of 6:00PM-8:00PM, Monday-Friday. • Instructor will provided grades to assignments and projects within one week of the submissions date. • Instructor will provide assignment schedule communication with the class through announcements (video and text), email notifications, virtual office hours. • Instructor will provide feedback to journals and discussion boards as needed, on a weekly basis. • Instructor will provide clear and concise instructions on how to complete the online course requirements. Professor Expectations of Students: • Successful students will familiarize themselves with the course syllabus, policies, assessments, evaluation, grading criteria, and course design. • Successful students will complete all coursework on assigned due date. • Successful students will engage in the course, with their peers, and the instructor and with open communication and active participation. • Students should be diligent to use both oral and written communication that respects peers and instructor. • Students should respond to instructor communication requests regarding course progress and for general inquires in a timely manner. • Successful students will not plagiarize the work of other, or use the work of their peers and claim it as their own. • Successful students will pre-plan for testing situations and ensure they are able to access the internet to complete the exam during its assigned date and time. Course Requirements: 1. Do your work 2. Participate 3. NO LATE WORK ASSIGNMENT/NO MAKE UP EXAMS. 4. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your instructor. 5. If you wish to drop a course, the student is responsible for initiating and completing the process. 6. Be respectful and courteous to classmates and instructor. Instructor : Anthony Clifton MSCJ Office: Technology Center (TC) Office Phone: 337-476-1468 call or text Email: aclifton@lit.edu or blackboard messages Office Hours Monday-Friday 6pm-8pm