Instructor: Mary Louise Ryan Norwell, J.D.

Contact InformationProfessor Mary Lou NorwellE-mail: MNorwell@Kaplan.edu

Office Hours: Wednesday 9:00-11:00 (EST)AIM: ProfNorwell@aim.com

Phone: 708-601-0686

GradingDiscussion Boards:1.    Postings demonstrate critical thought 2.   Postings are in the 100-word range,3.    At least 3-postings made per discussion

thread (one in response to question and two responding to another student’s posting),

4.    All postings made prior to the conclusion of each unit.

It should be noted that you will not be able to post messages after the conclusion of each unit.

Additional Course Expectations•Writing Assignments: Formal Writing, Avoid Plagiarism (see Kaplan policy in Doc Sharing)•Weekly Quizs – Take as often as you want•Units will close at the end of the unit week;•Late work: Accepted with arrangement; communication is key!•Seminars: Be there and participate! These are easy points to get; be respectful and active; there are no “right” answers.

Unit 1: The Foundation and Principles of Criminal Investigation

Post Introduction (Course Home)Attend SeminarRead Chapters 1 & 2Respond to Discussion Question & other

students responsesReview Supplemental Material in Unit 1

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

The collection of information and evidence for identifying, apprehending, and convicting suspected offenders

Criminal Investigation

Responsibilities of Criminal Investigator

Determine if a Crime Has Been CommittedVerify Jurisdiction Discover All Facts and Collect Physical

EvidenceRecover Stolen Property Identify the Perpetrator Locate and Apprehend the PerpetratorAid the Prosecution by Providing Evidence of

Guilt Admissible in Court Testify Effectively as a Witness in Court

Mental Ability

Personality

Attitude

Knowledge

Desirable Attributes in an Investigator

Development

Interpretation

Investigative Value

Physical Evidence

Forensic Science – the REAL CSI

Criminalistics: The Development and Interpretation of Physical Evidence

Details of Physical Evidence Identification and IdentityThe Role of the Crime Laboratory Are the Facts Consistent with the Story?

Forensic MedicineForensic Pathology

Toxicology

Forensic Odontology

Forensic Psychiatry

Crime Scene CluesFingerprints Firearms Blood Semen, Other Biological Material, and DNA

Profiling Documents Glass Trace Evidence

Conclusion

OutcomesDefine Criminal Investigation. Understand the responsibilities and attributes of

a successful investigator. Identify sources of information at a crime scene. Compare and contrast universal motives and

particularized motives. Review the origins of criminal investigation. Identify and explain two major branches of

forensic science.