Crime Detection & Investigation (CDI)
Module 8.1: Nature & Principles of Criminal Investigation
An introduction to the fundamentals of criminal investigation, defining its goals, phases, and the core principles that guide every successful inquiry.
Module 8.2: Qualities of a Good Investigator
An exploration of the essential personal qualities, skills, and intellectual characteristics that define a successful criminal investigator.
Module 8.3: Tools of Investigation (The 3 I's)
A detailed look at the three primary tools used by every criminal investigator: Information, Interview and Interrogation, and Instrumentation (Forensic Science).
Module 8.4: Crime Scene Investigation Procedures
A step-by-step guide to the systematic process of crime scene investigation, from the initial response to the final processing of the scene.
Module 8.5: Evidence Collection, Preservation & Chain of Custody
A detailed guide on the proper techniques for collecting, packaging, and preserving different types of physical evidence, and the critical importance of maintaining the chain of custody.
Module 8.6: Interview Techniques & Procedures
A guide to the art of the investigative interview, covering the different types of witnesses, the ideal interview environment, and the cognitive interview technique.
Module 8.7: Interrogation Methods & Confession Admissibility
A study of the principles of criminal interrogation, including various psychological techniques used to obtain a confession, and the legal requirements for a confession to be admissible in court.
Module 8.8: Types of Surveillance
An overview of the investigative technique of surveillance, covering its purpose and the different types, including fixed, mobile, and electronic surveillance.
Module 8.9: Undercover Operations & Informant Management
A look into two clandestine methods of gathering information: the use of undercover officers and the development and management of confidential informants.
Module 8.10: Police Intelligence Operations
An introduction to the field of police intelligence, covering the intelligence cycle, the different categories of intelligence, and its role in proactive policing.
Module 8.11: Homicide, Robbery, & Kidnapping Investigation
An overview of the investigative considerations for three of the most serious violent crimes: homicide, robbery, and kidnapping.
Module 8.12: Drug Crimes, Cybercrimes, & Arson Investigation
An overview of the specialized investigative techniques used for drug-related offenses, computer and internet crimes (cybercrime), and the crime of arson.
Module 8.13: Modus Operandi & Criminal Identification
Understanding the Modus Operandi (MO) system for identifying repeat offenders, tracking criminal patterns, and solving crimes through behavioral analysis.
Module 8.14: Investigative Report Writing
Mastering the art of clear, accurate, and legally sound investigative report writing - an essential skill for every criminal investigator and a critical component of successful prosecutions.