Criminal Investigation

Course Description

CJE2600 – Criminal Investigation is a 3-credit, lower-division lecture course providing an introductory overview of criminal investigation theory, methodology, and practice. The course addresses the historical development of criminal investigation; the contemporary investigative process from initial response through case clearance; crime-scene investigation and management; physical evidence identification, collection, and preservation; introductory forensic science; interview and interrogation techniques; case preparation; testimony and courtroom presentation; and contemporary topics including digital evidence, cybercrime, and emerging investigative technologies. The course is designed both for students pursuing AS-Criminal Justice Technology degrees toward criminal justice careers and for AA-track students completing CJE2600 as part of broader social science or pre-law preparation.

The course sits within the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) under Criminology and Criminal Justice > Investigations and is offered at approximately 27 Florida public institutions. CJE2600 is consistently academic in nature — distinct from the FLDOE Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) basic recruit and specialty training courses (CJK0xxx prefix) delivered at FDLE-certified training centers. Where CJK0xxx courses prepare officers for the State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE) and lead to certification as Florida law enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officers, CJE2600 is an academic course that does not by itself satisfy any FDLE certification requirement. Students who plan to pursue Florida law enforcement careers typically complete CJE2600 as part of broader academic preparation, then separately enroll in FDLE-certified basic recruit training to qualify for officer certification.

CJE2600 is widely required in Florida AS-Criminal Justice Technology degree programs, often required or strongly recommended in Florida BAS-Criminal Justice programs, and appears in many Florida BS-Criminology programs as either prerequisite or elective. The course articulates broadly within the Florida public-college system per SCNS conventions.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of CJE2600, students will be able to:

• Describe the historical development of criminal investigation: the emergence of organized criminal investigation in the 19th century; the founding of the FBI; the professional development of investigative practice in the 20th century; the impact of forensic science and technology on contemporary investigation; the relationship between investigation and other criminal justice functions.
• Describe the contemporary investigative process: initial response and preliminary investigation; follow-up investigation; case-management decisions; case clearance vs. open cases; the relationship between patrol and investigative functions; the role of specialized units (homicide, robbery, narcotics, financial crimes, sex crimes, missing persons, gang, intelligence, etc.).
• Apply principles of crime-scene investigation: scene security and protection; scene documentation (notes, photography, sketching, video); systematic search patterns; the relationship between crime-scene investigation and case outcome; chain of custody for evidence; the increasing role of crime-scene specialists vs. investigating officers.
• Apply principles of physical evidence identification, collection, and preservation: types of physical evidence (biological, chemical, impression, firearms, documents, digital, trace); appropriate collection techniques for different evidence types; packaging and labeling; transport to laboratory; the relationship between proper collection technique and laboratory analysis quality.
• Describe introductory forensic science disciplines: forensic biology and DNA analysis; forensic chemistry; firearms and toolmark identification; questioned-document examination; latent print examination; trace evidence (fibers, hairs, paint, glass); forensic toxicology; forensic anthropology and odontology; digital forensics; the role of forensic laboratories (state, regional, FBI Laboratory).
• Apply principles of interviewing and interrogation: the legal framework (Miranda warnings; the constitutional protections established by Miranda v. Arizona and subsequent case law); interview vs. interrogation distinctions; the cognitive interview technique; behavioral analysis interview considerations; the contemporary discussion of investigative-interviewing best practices (PEACE model, others); the substantial concerns about false confessions and the resulting evolution of interrogation practice.
• Apply principles of investigation of specific crime types: violent crimes (homicide, assault, robbery); property crimes (burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft, arson); sex crimes (with appropriate emphasis on victim-centered investigation); narcotics and drug-related crimes; financial crimes and fraud; cybercrime and digital crimes; gang-related crimes; child abuse and elder abuse.
• Apply principles of investigative interviewing of victims and witnesses: victim-centered interview techniques; trauma-informed approaches; the special considerations for child witnesses; cross-cultural and language-considerations; the impact of trauma on memory and disclosure.
• Apply principles of investigation of cybercrime and digital evidence: types of cybercrime (financial fraud, identity theft, intellectual property crimes, child exploitation, cyberstalking and harassment, ransomware); digital evidence sources (computers, mobile devices, cloud, social media, IoT devices); the legal framework for accessing digital evidence (search warrants, subpoenas, third-party records); the substantial Florida cybercrime caseload.
• Apply principles of investigation of financial crimes: fraud schemes; identity theft; embezzlement; money laundering; the relationship between criminal and civil financial-crime investigation; financial-records analysis at introductory level.
• Apply principles of death investigation: distinguishing natural, accidental, suicide, and homicide deaths; the role of the medical examiner (in Florida, the District Medical Examiner system); cause of death vs. manner of death; the investigation of suspicious deaths.
• Apply principles of case preparation and presentation: investigative report writing; documentation requirements for prosecution; the relationship between investigators and prosecutors; pre-trial preparation; testimony in deposition and court; the role of the investigator as a witness.
• Apply principles of investigative ethics and professional responsibility: the ethical obligations of investigators; the investigative implications of constitutional protections (Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Amendments); the consequences of investigative misconduct including suppression of evidence and case dismissal; the substantial impact of high-profile cases on investigative practice.
• Apply principles of information sources and intelligence: confidential informants and the legal framework for informant operations; surveillance techniques at introductory level; database queries (NCIC, FCIC, state-database resources); social-media intelligence; the increasing role of OSINT (open-source intelligence).
• Apply principles of multi-agency investigation: coordination between municipal, county, state, and federal agencies; the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force model; multi-agency drug task forces; intelligence sharing through fusion centers (in Florida, the Florida Fusion Center coordinated with FDLE); the substantial role of multi-agency cooperation in major Florida investigations.
• Recognize and discuss contemporary issues in criminal investigation: the impact of technology on investigation (predictive analytics, facial recognition, geolocation, automated license-plate recognition); body-worn camera implications; community-relations considerations; the increasing role of social media in investigations; emerging crime types.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on instructor selection:

• Engage with specific case studies: notable Florida investigations; major national cases that shaped contemporary investigative practice; the role of high-profile cases in driving investigative reform.
• Engage with specialized investigation areas: cold-case investigation; missing persons investigation; corruption investigation; environmental crime investigation; wildlife crime (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Law Enforcement context).
• Engage with introductory crime-scene reconstruction: bloodstain pattern analysis at introductory level; bullet trajectory at introductory level; the relationship between physical evidence and reconstruction.
• Engage with guest speakers and field trips: practicing investigators; medical examiners; forensic scientists; prosecutors; defense attorneys; visit to crime laboratory; visit to a Florida law enforcement agency.
• Engage with introductory awareness of private investigation: the regulatory framework for Florida private investigators (Class CC Intern, Class C Investigator, Class A Agency licenses through DACS Division of Licensing); the substantial Florida private-investigator industry serving insurance, legal, and corporate clients.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Historical Development of Criminal Investigation: Emergence of organized investigation; founding of FBI; 20th-century professional development; impact of forensic science and technology; investigation/criminal justice relationship.
• Contemporary Investigative Process: Initial response and preliminary investigation; follow-up investigation; case-management decisions; case clearance; patrol/investigative function relationship; specialized units (homicide, robbery, narcotics, financial crimes, sex crimes, missing persons, gang, intelligence).
• Crime-Scene Investigation: Scene security and protection; scene documentation (notes, photography, sketching, video); systematic search patterns; chain of custody; crime-scene specialists vs. investigating officers.
• Physical Evidence: Types of physical evidence (biological, chemical, impression, firearms, documents, digital, trace); appropriate collection techniques; packaging and labeling; transport to laboratory; collection-quality/laboratory-analysis-quality relationship.
• Introductory Forensic Science: Forensic biology and DNA; forensic chemistry; firearms and toolmark identification; questioned documents; latent prints; trace evidence (fibers, hairs, paint, glass); toxicology; forensic anthropology and odontology; digital forensics; forensic laboratories (state, regional, FBI).
• Interviewing and Interrogation: Legal framework (Miranda warnings; Miranda v. Arizona and subsequent case law); interview vs. interrogation distinctions; cognitive interview technique; behavioral analysis interview considerations; investigative-interviewing best practices (PEACE model); false-confession concerns and interrogation-practice evolution.
• Investigation of Specific Crime Types: Violent crimes (homicide, assault, robbery); property crimes (burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft, arson); sex crimes (victim-centered investigation); narcotics; financial crimes and fraud; cybercrime and digital crimes; gang-related crimes; child abuse and elder abuse.
• Investigative Interviewing of Victims and Witnesses: Victim-centered techniques; trauma-informed approaches; child-witness considerations; cross-cultural and language considerations; trauma's impact on memory and disclosure.
• Cybercrime and Digital Evidence: Types of cybercrime; digital-evidence sources (computers, mobile, cloud, social media, IoT); legal framework for digital evidence access (search warrants, subpoenas, third-party records); Florida cybercrime caseload.
• Financial Crimes: Fraud schemes; identity theft; embezzlement; money laundering; criminal/civil financial-crime relationship; financial-records analysis at introductory level.
• Death Investigation: Distinguishing natural, accidental, suicide, and homicide deaths; Florida District Medical Examiner system role; cause of death vs. manner of death; suspicious-death investigation.
• Case Preparation and Presentation: Investigative report writing; prosecution-documentation requirements; investigators-prosecutors relationship; pre-trial preparation; deposition and court testimony; investigator-as-witness role.
• Investigative Ethics: Ethical obligations; investigative implications of constitutional protections (Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Amendments); investigative-misconduct consequences (evidence suppression, case dismissal); high-profile cases' impact on practice.
• Information Sources and Intelligence: Confidential informants and legal framework; introductory surveillance techniques; database queries (NCIC, FCIC, state databases); social-media intelligence; OSINT (open-source intelligence) growing role.
• Multi-Agency Investigation: Municipal, county, state, federal coordination; FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force model; multi-agency drug task forces; intelligence sharing (Florida Fusion Center coordinated with FDLE); multi-agency cooperation in major Florida investigations.
• Contemporary Issues: Technology impact (predictive analytics, facial recognition, geolocation, ALPR); body-worn camera implications; community-relations considerations; social-media role in investigations; emerging crime types.

Optional Topics

• Specific Case Studies: Notable Florida investigations; major national cases shaping practice; high-profile cases driving investigative reform.
• Specialized Investigation Areas: Cold-case investigation; missing persons; corruption; environmental crime; wildlife crime (Florida FWC Law Enforcement context).
• Crime-Scene Reconstruction (Introductory): Bloodstain pattern analysis at introductory level; bullet trajectory at introductory level; physical-evidence/reconstruction relationship.
• Guest Speakers and Field Trips: Practicing investigators; medical examiners; forensic scientists; prosecutors; defense attorneys; crime-laboratory visit; Florida law enforcement agency visit.
• Private Investigation: Florida private-investigator regulatory framework (DACS Division of Licensing — Class CC, Class C, Class A licenses); Florida private-investigator industry serving insurance, legal, corporate clients.

Resources & Tools

• Most-adopted textbooks at Florida institutions: Criminal Investigation by Hess, Orthmann, Cho (Cengage) — among the most widely-adopted criminal-investigation textbooks; Criminal Investigation by Lyman (Pearson); Criminal Investigation: Principles and Practice by Becker (Jones & Bartlett); Criminal Investigation by Swanson, Chamelin, Territo, Taylor (McGraw-Hill).
• Reference resources: Federal Bureau of Investigation Forensic Science Communications; National Institute of Justice (NIJ) publications (free at nij.ojp.gov); FDLE training materials and bulletins; the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin (free); contemporary investigative-practice publications.
• Florida-specific resources: Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) at fdle.state.fl.us; the Florida Fusion Center; FDLE Crime Laboratory information (Florida operates regional FDLE crime laboratories serving local agency casework); Florida District Medical Examiner system information (each Florida judicial district has a Medical Examiner; specific systems vary across the 24 districts).
• Florida regulatory references for related professions: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) Division of Licensing — regulates Florida private investigators and security industry per Florida Statutes Chapter 493; Florida Statutes Chapter 901 (arrest); Chapter 933 (search and seizure); Chapter 943 (FDLE).
• Online learning platforms: Pearson MyLab Criminal Justice (paired with Lyman); Cengage MindTap (paired with Hess et al.); McGraw-Hill Connect (paired with Swanson et al.); WileyPLUS (paired with various Wiley CJ titles).
• Open-access alternatives: The Criminal Justice section of OpenStax materials (free, openstax.org — limited but growing); the FBI's National Academy publications; the National Institute of Justice's open publications; multiple Florida CJ-program faculty have published open-access materials.
• Tutoring and support: Institution criminal-justice-program tutoring; faculty office hours; institutional Criminal Justice student organizations or clubs (Lambda Alpha Epsilon — American Criminal Justice Association — at some institutions); career-services support for criminal-justice career exploration.

Career Pathways

CJE2600 is foundational for Florida criminal justice career pathways. Specific career pathways supported include:

• Florida Law Enforcement Officer — Florida law enforcement career requires separate completion of FDLE-certified basic recruit training plus passing the State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE), in addition to academic preparation. CJE2600 contributes to academic preparation but does not substitute for FDLE certification training.
• Detective / Investigator — within Florida law enforcement agencies; typically requires several years of patrol experience plus selection into investigative units.
• Federal Law Enforcement Officer / Special Agent — FBI, DEA, ATF, USSS, IRS Criminal Investigation, ICE-HSI, others; competitive selection processes typically requiring bachelor's degrees plus specific qualifications.
• Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent — FDLE's investigative arm; competitive selection.
• Crime Scene Investigator / Crime Scene Specialist — increasingly civilian/non-sworn position at Florida law enforcement agencies; specialty often pursued through additional academic preparation in forensic science.
• Forensic Scientist (with additional bachelor's-level science preparation) — Florida FDLE crime laboratories; private laboratories; medical examiner offices.
• Private Investigator — Florida private-investigator licensure through DACS Division of Licensing per Florida Statutes Chapter 493; substantial Florida industry serving insurance, legal, and corporate clients. Private-investigator licensure path: Class CC Intern (2 years experience) → Class C Investigator → Class A Agency.
• Loss Prevention / Asset Protection Specialist — substantial Florida demand at retail employers, hospitality, and other commercial settings.
• Insurance Fraud Investigator — Florida is a substantial insurance market; substantial demand for fraud investigation in property, auto, workers' compensation, and healthcare insurance.
• Florida Department of Corrections Special Investigations — investigative roles within Florida's correctional system.
• Federal Agency Career Paths — Florida is home to substantial federal agency presence (FBI Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville offices; DEA Miami Field Division; ATF Florida operations; HSI Florida operations; USSS Florida; FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces).
• Articulation to Bachelor's Programs — CJE2600 satisfies criminal-justice-major requirements at most Florida BAS-Criminal Justice and BS-Criminology programs (UF, USF, UCF, FSU, FAU, FIU, UNF, UWF; FCS BAS-Criminal Justice programs at various institutions).

Special Information

Articulation and Transfer

CJE2600 articulates broadly within the Florida public-college system per SCNS conventions. The course is required at most Florida AS-Criminal Justice Technology degree programs and is required or strongly recommended in many BAS-Criminal Justice and BS-Criminology programs. Transfer with a grade of C or higher to upper-division institutions; specific articulation should be verified with the receiving institution.

CJE2600 vs. Related Courses

Florida criminal-justice coursework includes several related but distinct courses:

• CJE2600 (this course) — Criminal Investigation — academic introduction to investigation theory and practice.
• CCJ1010 (Introduction to Criminal Justice) — survey of the entire criminal justice system; foundational lower-division course.
• CCJ2002 (Crime in America) — criminology focus; sometimes paired with CJE2600.
• CCJ3014 (Criminological Theory) — upper-division theoretical course.
• CJE2640 (Criminal Investigation Lab) or CJE2600L — laboratory companion to CJE2600 at some institutions.
• CJK0xxx PSAV courses (FDLE-certified training) — distinct certification-track courses delivered at FDLE-certified training centers; required for Florida law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer certification.

CJE2600 academic content and CJK0xxx FDLE-training content overlap in subject matter but serve very different purposes. Students planning Florida law enforcement careers must complete both academic preparation (which CJE2600 contributes to) AND separate FDLE-certified basic recruit training at an FDLE-certified training center, leading to the SOCE for officer certification.

Prerequisites

Standard prerequisites typically include:

• CCJ1010 (Introduction to Criminal Justice) with grade of C or higher (at most institutions; some institutions allow concurrent enrollment)
• ENC1101 (College Composition I) with grade of C or higher (for college-level writing required for investigative-report assignments)

Specific prerequisites vary by institution.

Course Format and Workload

CJE2600 is a 3-credit lecture course meeting 3 hours per week for 15-16 weeks (45 contact hours total). The course is widely offered in face-to-face, hybrid, and fully online formats. Expect: substantial textbook reading; weekly assignments often including case analyses, scenario-based investigations, and investigative-report writing exercises; 3-4 unit exams; potentially a substantial term project (case study, scenario investigation analysis); a comprehensive final exam.

Course Code Variations

Florida institutions consistently use CJE2600 for this course. Some institutions offer a paired laboratory course (CJE2600L or CJE2640) providing hands-on crime-scene investigation practice. The course is consistently 3 credits with no laboratory in the standard CJE2600 format.