CON-240 Wildlife Crime Scene Investigation and Forensics

This course introduces the student to the study of criminal investigative techniques and the analysis of evidence with an emphasis on crimes against wildlife and the environment. The focus throughout the course will be the collection, protection and preservation of evidence as it relates to the investigative process. Analysis of actual closed criminal cases and simulations with mock crime scenes will allow students to put into practice classroom discussions and readings.

Credits

3

Lecture Contact Hours

3

Lab Contact Hours

0

Other Contact Hours

0

Department

• Environmental Conservation and Horticulture

Grading Scheme

• Letter

SUNY Gen Ed Credit

• No

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and describe the basics of a criminal investigation. (professional competency)
2. Describe the purpose and importance of documenting the investigative process. (professional competency)
3. Summarize the roles of different crime scene personnel. (professional competency)
4. Identify, describe and apply the laws associated with crime scene investigations. (professional competency, citizenship)
5. Apply investigative methods and critical thinking to process mock crime scenes, documenting their findings as if preparing for a possible courtroom trial. (professional competency, critical thinking)

View Course Outline

CON 240: Wildlife Crime Scene Investigation and Forensics

Department

Environmental Conservation and Horticulture

Course Description

This course introduces the student to the study of criminal investigative techniques and the analysis of evidence with an emphasis on crimes against wildlife and the environment. The focus throughout the course will be the collection, protection and preservation of evidence as it relates to the investigative process. Analysis of actual closed criminal cases and simulations with mock crime scenes will allow students to put into practice classroom discussions and readings.

Credit Hours

3

Contact Hours

Lecture	3
Lab	0
Other	0

Grading Scheme

Letter

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and describe the basics of a criminal investigation. (professional competency)
2. Describe the purpose and importance of documenting the investigative process. (professional competency)
3. Summarize the roles of different crime scene personnel. (professional competency)
4. Identify, describe and apply the laws associated with crime scene investigations. (professional competency, citizenship)
5. Apply investigative methods and critical thinking to process mock crime scenes, documenting their findings as if preparing for a possible courtroom trial. (professional competency, critical thinking)

Topic Outline

1. The basics of a criminal investigation  
   1. Determining if a crime has been committed  
   2. Securing a crime scene  
   3. Determining what constitutes physical evidence  
   4. Collecting physical evidence  
   5. The role of photography  
   6.  Legal considerations at a crime scene 
   7. Chain of custody requirements  
   8. Interviewing witnesses and suspects  
   9. Search warrants/NYS CPL
   10. The crime scene technician
2. Crimes against wildlife  
   1. Poaching/ illegal trade in wildlife  
   2.  Illegal use of pesticides/hazardous wastes
   3. Endangered species protection  
3. Field techniques for crime scene investigation
   1. lead test  
   2. pupil dilation  
   3. body temperature/time of death  
   4. castings  
   5. hunter related shooting Incidences  
   6. timber thefts  
   7. Bullet trajectory  
4. Cooperating agencies will be discussed throughout the course. Examples of such agencies follow:
   1. The role of DEC officers/Investigators  
   2. State and local police  
   3. DEC state pathologist  
   4. USFWS wildlife crime lab
   5. Monroe County Crime lab  
   6. US Attorney’s Office
   7. NYS Attorney General’s Office  
   8. Federal Agencies, EPA, ATF, FBI  
5. The role of forensics  
   1. What is forensics?  
   2. What are the legal limitations of forensics?  
   3. Forensic techniques discussed during the semester will be:  
      1. Forensic entomology  
      2. Ballistics  
      3. DNA
      4. Fingerprint analysis  
      5. Trace evidence: hair, fibers, etc.  
      6. Bite mark analysis 
      7. Tire treads/shoe prints