| Semester 1, 2021 Online | |
| Short Description: | Investigating Crime |
| Units : | 1 |
| Faculty or Section : | Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts |
| School or Department : | School of Law and Justice |
| Student contribution band : | 2021 Grandfather Funding Cl 1 |
| ASCED code : | 099903 - Criminology |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
Staffing
Examiner:
Rationale
Investigative practices are useful in a range of roles within the criminal justice system and connected to the criminal justice system. Developing theoretical knowledge and practical skills with regard to investigating a criminal event, prepares students with industry relevant skills that are directly applicable to a range of careers within the criminal justice system and outside the criminal justice system as well. Investigative skills are transferrable to other contexts where the ability to gather information, synthesise information and solve complex problems is required.
Synopsis
This course aims to equip students with a range of investigative skills useful for the collection, preservation and presentation of evidence. Concepts relating to types of evidence such a material evidence, circumstantial evidence and witness testimony will be presented to students, along with the various ways to extract this evidence in the context of a criminal event. Students will have the opportunity to develop theoretical knowledge that underpins investigative practices, as well as practical skills by way of applying investigative techniques to decode a crime scene.
Objectives
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
- articulate the difference between different investigation skills;
- evaluate when and where different investigation skills should be used;
- extract and compile evidence by using a range of investigative techniques;
- using written and oral communication skills, systematically organise evidence fit for purpose.
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Evidence typology | 20.00 |
| 2. | Crime scene typology | 20.00 |
| 3. | Investigative techniques | 20.00 |
| 4. | Investigative processes | 20.00 |
| 5. | Documentation and preservation of evidence | 20.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2021&sem=01&subject1=CRI3311)
Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)
Reference materials
Student workload expectations
| Activity | Hours |
|---|---|
| Assessments | 65.00 |
| Directed Study | 39.00 |
| Private Study | 61.00 |
Assessment details
| Description | Marks out of | Wtg (%) | Due Date | Objectives Assessed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation Skills Assessmnt | 40 | 40 | 23 Apr 2021 | 1,2,3,4 | |
| Scenario Assessment 1 | 30 | 30 | 14 May 2021 | 2,3,4 | |
| Scenario Assessment 2 | 30 | 30 | 03 Jun 2021 | 2,3,4 |
Important assessment information
-
Attendance requirements:
It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them, to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. -
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item. -
Penalties for late submission of required work:
Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4) -
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course -
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative items for the course. -
Examination information:
There is no examination in this course. -
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
There is no examination in this course, there will be no deferred or supplementary examinations. -
University Student Policies:
Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene University policies and practices. These policies can be found at .
Assessment notes
-
Referencing in assignments must comply with the APA referencing system. This system should be used by students to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The APA style to be used is defined by the USQ library's referencing guide. These guides can be found at
Evaluation and benchmarking
In meeting the University’s aims to establish quality learning and teaching for all programs, this course monitors and ensures quality assurance and improvements in at least two ways. This course:
Conforms to the USQ Policy on Evaluation of Teaching, Courses and Programs to ensure ongoing monitoring and systematic improvement and is benchmarked against the internal USQ accreditation/reaccreditation processes which include (i) stringent standards in the independent accreditation of its academic programs, (ii) close integration between business and academic planning, and (iii) regular and rigorous review.