Tactical Aspects of Crime Scene Investigation

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:5.00

Study Course Accepted:23.05.2024 13:19:45

Study Course Information
Course Code:		JF_520		LQF level:		Level 6
Credit Points:		6.00		ECTS:		9.00
Branch of Science:		Law; Theory of Forensic Science and Investigation Field Work		Target Audience:		Juridical Science; Civil and Military Defense
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Ilze Sokolovska
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		36	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		72
Classes (count)		12	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		24
Total Contact Hours								96
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		12	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		24
Classes (count)		6	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		12
Total Contact Hours								36
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Prior knowledge in Criminal Procedure, Forensic Techniques is required.
Objective:
To provide theoretical knowledge about the tactical aspects of crime scene inspection and to strengthen practical skills in conducting crime scene inspection. To provide theoretical knowledge and strengthen practical skills in obtaining preliminary information, identifying and providing the necessary resources for inspection of the scene and documenting the inspection of the scene.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Concept and content of scene inspection. Digitization possibilities in the theory and practice of site inspection.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
2	Obtaining preliminary information before starting the inspection of the scene. 2.1. Event. 2.2. Criminal offense, basic principles of its determination. 2.3. Resources needed for the inspection of the scene.			Lectures		5.00	auditorium
3	Starting inspection of the scene. 3.1. General rules for inspection of the scene. 3.2. Objectives and factors of inspection of the scene. 3.3. Determining the actual boundaries of the scene. 3.4. Action and behavior pattern at the scene.			Lectures		5.00	auditorium
				Classes		3.00	auditorium
4	Inspection of the scene. 4.1.Methods of recording the scene. 4.2. Methods of inspecting the scene. 4.3. Search, fixation and removal of footprints and objects. 4.4. Documenting the inspection of the scene.			Lectures		12.00	auditorium
				Classes		4.00	auditorium
5	Peculiarities of inspection of the scene of certain criminal offences. Use of digital tools. 5.1.Criminal offenses against the natural environment. 5.2. Criminal offenses against a person. 5.3. Criminal offenses against property. 5.4. Criminal offenses in road traffic. 5.5.Criminal offenses against public order and security. 5.6. Criminal offenses in the national economy. 5.7 Criminal offenses in the jurisdiction. 5.8.Criminal offenses in the service of state institutions.			Lectures		12.00	auditorium
				Classes		5.00	auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Concept and content of scene inspection. Digitization possibilities in the theory and practice of site inspection.			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
2	Obtaining preliminary information before starting the inspection of the scene. 2.1. Event. 2.2. Criminal offense, basic principles of its determination. 2.3. Resources needed for the inspection of the scene.			Lectures		2.50	auditorium
3	Starting inspection of the scene. 3.1. General rules for inspection of the scene. 3.2. Objectives and factors of inspection of the scene. 3.3. Determining the actual boundaries of the scene. 3.4. Action and behavior pattern at the scene.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
4	Inspection of the scene. 4.1.Methods of recording the scene. 4.2. Methods of inspecting the scene. 4.3. Search, fixation and removal of footprints and objects. 4.4. Documenting the inspection of the scene.			Lectures		4.00	auditorium
				Classes		2.00	auditorium
5	Peculiarities of inspection of the scene of certain criminal offences. Use of digital tools. 5.1.Criminal offenses against the natural environment. 5.2. Criminal offenses against a person. 5.3. Criminal offenses against property. 5.4. Criminal offenses in road traffic. 5.5.Criminal offenses against public order and security. 5.6. Criminal offenses in the national economy. 5.7 Criminal offenses in the jurisdiction. 5.8.Criminal offenses in the service of state institutions.			Lectures		3.00	auditorium
				Classes		3.00	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Work with materials posted in e-studies and special literature, work with Internet resources, discussions, discussions, consultations. Completion of three practical tasks.
Assessment Criteria:
Active participation in lectures and practical classes makes up 30%, three practical tasks make up 30% (each task is 10%), written exam makes up 40% of study course completion.
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):		Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		The student will be able to demonstrate the basic and specialized knowledge acquired in the study course, part of which corresponds to the highest level of achievements in the relevant scientific field. The student will have acquired knowledge about the acquisition of preliminary information and the materials and technical support necessary for inspection of the scene of the incident, will be familiar with the methods of inspection of the scene of the incident and documentation of the inspection of the scene of the incident. The student will be able to demonstrate theoretical knowledge in recording and removing various types of physical evidence at the scene. The student will have theoretical knowledge of the peculiarities of examining the scene of certain criminal offenses.
Skills:		The student will be able to constantly structure his learning, analyze his level of knowledge and rationally supplement it, select and evaluate literature sources and will be able to cultivate scientific-research skills. The student will be able to apply a scientific approach and practical skills by performing the necessary preparations for the start of the inspection of the scene, obtaining initial information about the event, identifying and applying the necessary material and technical base, for recording, removing and documenting the scene and the traces and objects in it.
Competencies:		The student, using the acquired theoretical knowledge and skills, will be able to independently obtain initial information about the event, analyze it and independently make a reasoned decision about the material and technical provision necessary for the inspection of a specific event site. Using the acquired theoretical knowledge and skills, the student will be able to constantly evaluate and make a decision on choosing the most suitable method of viewing the scene. Applying the acquired theoretical knowledge and practical skills, the student will be able to independently record the scene and the objects in it using various recording techniques. The student, using the acquired theoretical knowledge and skills, will be able to independently conduct an inspection of the scene, taking into account the peculiarities of the inspection of the scene of individual crimes. By applying theoretical knowledge and skills, the student will be able to remove various types of traces and objects, as well as to document the inspection of the scene.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Kriminālprocesa likums: LR likums. Latvijas Vēstnesis Nr.74 (3232), 11.05.2005.
2	Administratīvā procesa likums; LR likums, Latvijas vēstnesis, 164, 01.02.2004.
3	Gardner, Ross M., Krouskup, Donna R. Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation. Boca Raton, London, New York, CRC Press Taylor&Francis Group, 2018.
4	Harris, Howard A., Lee, Henry C. Introduction to Forensic Science and Criminalistics. Boca Raton, London, New York, CRC Press Taylor&Francis Group, 2019.
5	Kriminālistika. 3.d. Kriminālistiskā metodika. Mācību grāmata, III daļa. Autoru grupa profesora A. Kavaliera vadībā. Rīga, Latvijas Policijas akadēmija, 2005. (akceptējams izdevums)
6	Kriminālistika. Otrā daļa. Kriminālistiskā taktika. Mācību grāmata, II daļa, IV izdevums. Autoru grupa profesora A. Kavaliera vadībā. Rīga, Latvijas Policijas akadēmija, 2003. (akceptējams izdevums)
7	Tetetris, O. Tiesu medicīnas esence. Rīga, Apgāds "Rasa ABC”, 2004. (akceptējams izdevums)
8	Valsts policijas Kriminālistikas pārvalde. Notikuma vietas apskates eksperta rokasgrāmata. Rīga, 2014.
Additional Reading
1	Grieznis, P. Praktiskā kriminālistika. Rīga, "Likuma vārdā”, 2000.
2	Konovalovs, J. Vielas kā noziedzīga nodarījuma pēdas. Rīga, SIA "Petrovskis un Ko”, 2007.
Other Information Sources
1	BSA zinātniski teorētisks žurnāls "Administratīvā un kriminālā justīcija”
2	Nedēļas žurnāls "Jurista vārds”
3	RSU Juridiskās fakultātes elektroniskais juridisko zinātnisko rakstu žurnāls "Socrates"
4	Valsts tiesu ekspertīžu birojs
5	Valsts policijas Kriminālistikas pārvalde
6	Valsts tiesu medicīnas ekspertīzes centrs
7	European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI)