Spring 2026
Criminal Investigation
Approved: TNS 1/14/26 Criminal Investigations (CRIJ 2314) Online CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3hours 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 Introduce modern investigative principles and practices using a field-based approach strongly grounded in current research as Hess/Hess Orthmann/Cho/Molan's best-selling CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, 12E presents established tools, practices and policies as well as the latest innovations in investigative technology. 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 and 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: 936-274-3417 Office Location: Technology Center (TC) Office Hours: Office Hours Monday-Friday 6pm-8pm REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Criminal Investigations by Kären M. Hess, Ph.D., Christine Hess Orthmann, M.S., Henry Lim Cho, M.A. | 12th Edition | Copyright 2022 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 by the specified date as listed in the College Calendar on the Student Success web page. 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) January 20, 2026 • Orientation Assignment Discussion Board 1: – Introductions and Why Is Distance Learning Right for you? January 23, 2026 January 23, 2026 January 26, 2026 • 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 January 30, 2026 January 30, 2026 February 2, 2026 • Assignment 2 • Discussion Board 3: • Why is effective Report Writing important in the Criminal Justice Field? • Make a Post and Respond to two Classmates Read Chapters 3-4 February 6, 2026 February 6, 2026 February 9, 2026 • Assignment 3 • Discussion Board 4 • Discuss the difference between Forensic evidence Read Chapter 5 February 13, 2026 February 13, 2026 and Physical evidence. How are they used in criminal investigations? • Make a Post and Respond to two Classmates Quiz February 16, 2026 • Assignment 4 • Complete Assignment 4 • Please provide the source, including the page number or reference Read Chapter 6-7 February 20, 2026 February 20, 2026 February 23, 2026 • Assignment 5 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, conclusion and reference page • Terry v Ohio (1968) • Mapp v Ohio (1961) • Katz v United States (1967) • Gideon v Wainwright (1963) Exam 1 Read Chapter 8-9 February 27, 2026 February 27, 2026 March 2, 2026 • Assignment 6 • Complete Assignment 6 • Please provide the source, including the page number or reference Read Chapter 10-11 March 6, 2026 March 6, 2026 March 9, 2026 Spring Break March 13, 2026 March 13, 2026 March 16, 2026 • Assignment 7 Discussion Board 5: What effect can child abuse and neglect have on children and their families, both in the short term and long term? • Quiz Read Chapter 12-13 March 20, 2026 March 20, 2026 March 23, 2026 • Assignment 8 • Complete Assignment 8 • Please provide the source, including the page number or reference Read Chapter 14-15 March 27, 2026 March 27, 2026 March 30, 2026 • 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 Chapter 16-17 April 3, 2026 April 3, 2026 April 6, 2026 • Assignment 10 • Kalief Browder Research - (Every page should have a running header and page numbers) 6–8-page paper. Title Page Introduction Page 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 Read Chapter 18 April 10, 2026 April 10, 2026 April 13, 2026 • Assignment 11 • Discussion Board: Discuss what you have learned from your research of Kalief Browder. • Make a Post and Respond to two Classmates • Exam 3 Read Chapter 19 April 17, 2026 April 17, 2026 April 20, 2026 • Assignment 12 Ted Bundy PowerPoint Presentation Read Chapter 20 April 24, 2026 April 24, 2026 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? What were the results of Bundy’s incarceration? • Exam 3 April 27, 2026 • Assignment 13 • Discussion Board: Discuss what you have learned from your research of Ted Bundy. Make a Post and Respond to two Classmates Read Chapter 21 May 1, 2026 May 1, 2026 May 4, 2026 Final Exam May 10, 2026 May 10, 2026 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 For the latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc., review the Minimum Computer and Equipment Requirements on the LIT Online Experience page. 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: 936-274-3417 call or text Email: aclifton@lit.edu or blackboard messages Office Hours Monday-Friday 6pm-8pm