The course is intended to develop general understanding of the science of inquiry and provide presentation of techniques, skills and limitations of the modern criminal investigation.
Consideration includes all aspects of criminal investigation, as a system of thought and action.
Discussion is centered on methods applied in detecting, examining and interpreting factual and legal dimensions of criminal cases. Appreciate the importance of criminal investigation to the criminal justice system as a whole, know what constitutes a successful criminal investigation, and explain and contrast deductive and inductive reasoning. Understand how the scientific method applies to criminal investigation and explain the necessity of legal guidelines and restrictions of the investigative function. List and define the three major phases of a criminal investigation, explain the importance of physical evidence, and understand the complexities and difficulties surrounding the use of interview and interrogation. Know legal meaning of specific forms of crime, their characteristics, and specific methods applied and problems encountered in the investigative processes.