The first step to a successful criminal prosecution is a thorough investigation.  This course is intended to assist newly assigned detectives, or patrol officers, in taking their investigations beyond the initial report.  It provides investigators a foundation of knowledge of the basic aspects and procedures of conducting thorough investigations.  It will give investigators a comprehensive review of the responsibilities throughout an investigation.  It is designed to provide a foundation of basic techniques to build upon throughout the detective’s career.

What students will learn:

• Scene preservation and documentation
• Witness and suspect interviews
• Scene search techniques
• Defining and avoiding “confirmations bias”
• Constitutional considerations in collecting evidence and conducting interviews
• Information sources