Criminal Investigation
CJA305 Criminal Investigation provides a broad perspective on the conduct of investigations. Coverage is given to public sector investigation of crime as well as private sector investigation of crime and loss-causing events. There is a substantial amount of practical hands-on work done in this class such as conducting interviews, surveillances, writing exercises and addressing crime scene problems.
The International Foundation for Protection Officer's Crime and Loss Investigation Program is incorporated into this course. CJA305 covers approximately 30% of the Program. This is done to give the student a 'jump start' on their career by helping them to complete the Crime and Loss Investigation Program. Virtually all investigators begin their careers while in college or just after graduation in one of the following job categories:
Retail Loss Prevention Agent
Undercover Investigator employed by a private investigative firm
Surveillance Agent employed by a private investigative firm
Background Investigator employed by a private investigative firm or federal agency
The Crime and Loss Investigation Program is a distance education certificate course and addresses these areas. The Crime and Loss Investigation Program aids the new investigator in getting started, the veteran public sector investigator in broadening their career options and marries investigative theory with practice.
The Crime and Loss Investigation Program also encompasses Intelligence as there is a growing need for Intelligence Analysts. There is also a rapidly evolving need for other persons (investigators, supervisors, managers) to work with intel. CJA305 will place a considerable amount of emphasis on intelligence and the means used to investigate organized criminal activity.
The Crime and Loss Investigation Program may be completed at no charge by York College students (they will be responsible, however, for purchasing the Program texts. The primary text for the Crime and Loss Investigation program is "INTRODUCTION TO INVESTIGATIONS", 2nd Edition by John S. Dempsey. This is also the sole text for CJA305).
Students taking CJA305 may wish to read the paper "An Introduction to Theory, Practice and Career Development for Public and Private Investigators" prior to the start of class. This paper is posted on the Foundation website at www.ifpo.org.
CJA305 Criminal Investigation Syllabus - Fall 2007
Lillie Belle Allen Assignment for CJA305 Criminal Investigation
Interview with a Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal
Investigative Photography: Operational and Ethical Considerations