Criminal Investigation & Forensics Lesson Plans
Criminal investigations & Forensics (CIF) Course
The CIF course is the core course in the IF Pathway and suggested third course for a LE pathway.
To learn more about LAPSEN Courses and Standards – Click Here
Be sure to review the course standards first – Click Here
Industry Recognized Credential for this pathway – Click Here
Lesson Plans
Resources are always being added. Check back from time to time.
BCSI Review Guide should be a part of every unit of the course – Click Here
Please – submit YOUR lessons and resources. Email info@lapsen.org to learn how.
DO NOT SHARE ANY OF THIS CONTENT WITH STUDENTS!
Make a copy for your own use.
Once you have your own copy, you can modify assignments that can be shared with students.
This is not student curriculum – these are instructor unit lesson plans.
Section 1: Introduction to Investigations
Section 1 Lesson Plans by Anthony Zeppetella – Click Here
| Objective 1: Create a timeline of the historical influences to contemporary criminal investigation and forensics. |
| Objective 2: Explore the roles and responsibilities of criminal investigators and forensic scientists. |
| Objective 3: Recognize the fundamental elements of a preliminary investigation. |
| Objective 4: Differentiate between different types of investigations. |
Section 2: Legal and Ethical Issues in Investigations
Section 2 Lesson Plans by Anthony Zeppetella – Click Here
| Objective 1: Describe ethical and professional considerations for criminal investigators and forensic scientists.. |
| Objective 2: Describe reasons for flawed investigations and forensics including |
| Objective 3: Explain how the U.S. Constitution guides investigations & police actions |
Section 3: Documenting the Crime Scene
Section 3 Lesson Plans by Stacey Hervey – Click Here
| Objective 1: Process a basic crime scene |
| Objective 1: Create various investigative reports and legal documents used in criminal investigations. |
| Objective 3: Photograph the crime scene. |
| Objective 4: Interpret common evidence for clues to a crime. |
Section 4: Evidence Collection and Types of Evidence
Section 4 Lesson Plans by Anthony Zeppetella – Click Here
| Objective 1: Demonstrate the skills of crime scene processing and evidence collection. |
| Objective 2: Create various investigative reports and legal documents used in criminal investigations including warrant applications, narratives, and chain of custody reports. |
| Objective 3: Demonstrate common evidence collection techniques used in criminal investigations. |
| Objective 4: Interpret common evidence for clues to a crime. |
Section 5: Interviews and Interrogations
Section 5 Lesson Plans by Donnie Chambers – Click Here
| Objective 1: Explain how interviews and interrogations are conducted. |
| Objective 2: Explain how the Constitution impacts interviews and interrogations |
Section 6: Crimes against Property
Section 6 Lesson Plans by Robert Bowling – Click Here
| Objective 1: Define different property crimes. |
| Objective 2: Explain collecting and preserving evidence unique to property crimes. |
Section 7: Crimes against Persons
Section 7 Lesson Plans by Robert Bowling – Click Here
| Objective 1: Differentiate between various crimes against person(s). |
| Objective 2: Explain techniques used to interview victims of traumatic crimes |
| Objective 3: Describe the impact of crimes on individuals. |
| Objective 4: Write an investigative report and other legal documents needed for an investigation. |
Section 8: Criminology and Crime Analysis
Section 8 Lesson Plans by Madison Pierce – Click Here
| Objective 1: Explain different criminological theories. |
| Objective 2: Describe assessing victim risk of crime. |
| Objective 3: Obtain the skills needed to conduct crime analysis using both quantitive and qualitive measures. |
Section 9: Serial Crimes and Criminal Profiling
Section 9 Lesson Plans by Anthony Zeppetella – Click Here
| Objective 1: Timeline the history of criminal profiling |
| Objective 2: Describe the stages of Profiling Process |
| Objective 3: Explain techniques in investigating serial offenders. |
Section 10: Special Investigations
Section 10 Lesson Plans by Duane Bean – Click Here
| Objective 1: Describe terrorism investigations |
| Objective 2: Identify potential hazardous drug-related situations and take the correct steps to ensure personal and community safety. |
| Objective 3: Explain safety precautions needed for digital and cybercrime. |
| Objective 4: Identify the key concepts related to analyzing bomb blasts, handling explosive materials, and documenting evidence. |
| Objective 5: Explain the difficulties encountered during mass casualty incidents and learn how investigators address these challenges. |
| Objective 6: Describe the techniques and challenges associated with evidence recovery that have been submerged in water. |
Section 11: Trends in Criminal Investigations
Section 11 Lesson Plans by Duane Bean – Click Here
| Objective 1: Identify and explain new trends in DNA criminal investigation and explain how those trends can be used in a criminal investigation. |
| Objective 2: Explain the concepts of predictive policing and the role of a criminal analyst. |
| Objective 3: Describe how shot spotters can contribute to new trends in law enforcement by recognizing their role in quickly detecting and locating gunshots. |
Section 12: Careers Unit
Section 12 Lesson Plans by Madison Pierce – Click Here
| Objective 1: Create a digital career portfolio |
| Objective 2: Identify different career options within criminal investigations and forensics. |
| Objective 3: Describe methods that help officers stay mentally fit. |
| Objective 4: Explain the responsibilities of three different career options within the criminal investigations and forensics. |