Republic of the Philippines

NAVAL STATE UNIVERSITY

Naval, Biliran

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Department of Criminology

SYLLABUS in LEA 316 – Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation

Course Code : LEA 316

Course Title : Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation
Time Frame : 54 Hrs per Semester
Consultation : TBA
Instructor : Melcon S. Lapina, MSCrim

I. Course Description
The course covers the concepts and principles of Criminal Investigation including the modern technique in Crime Detection and
Investigation. This also includes modern techniques in processing the crime scene involving murder, homicide, rape, robbery, etc. It
also aims to study the concepts and general principles of arrest, searches and seizure, and the rights of the accused during custodial
investigation.

II. Course Objectives

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:
1. state the foundations or basic principles of criminal investigation;
2. explain the legal sanctions and/or requirements that should be observed in conducting investigation of criminal cases;
3. identify, enumerate and discuss the elements, tools and phases of criminal investigation;
4. discuss the standard processes and techniques of identifying, tracing, locating, and apprehending suspects including the systematic
method of collecting and preserving evidence; and appreciate the importance of utilizing scientific knowledge in the field of criminal
investigation for successful detection and prevention of crimes.
 III.Course Content
TIME OBJECTIVES TOPIC CONTENTS ACTIVITIES/STRATEGIES READING and MODE OF
FRAME TEACHING EVALUATION
MATERIALS
MIDTERM A. Introduction to Criminal A. Introduction to • Socialized discussion • Handouts • Recitation
S Investigation: Criminal • Lecture • Reference Books • Written quizzes
At the end of this lesson, the student Investigation: • MS Power Point and Articles • Answer to
should be able to: Presentation • LCD Projector review questions
1. The Setting and
Effect of Change • Chalk and Board • Major
1. Understand the subject matter; 2. Theories of Examinations
2. Obtain principles in Criminal Policing
Investigation; and 3. Definitions and
3. Learn the psychological and Concepts
scientific approach of Criminal 4. The Process: Basic
Investigation. Principles

B. The Crime and the Investigation B. The Crime and the

At the end of this lesson, the student Investigation
should be able to identify the subject,
1. Nature and Roles
persons, and places. of Investigator
2. Investigative
Theories and
Methods

C. Tools of
Investigation

1. Information
2. Interview
and Interrogation
3. Instrument
ation

D. Phases of
Investigation

SYLLABUS in LEA 316 – Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation by MELCON S. LAPINA, MSCrim

2
www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com
 1. Aims and
Objectives
2. Identifying the
Criminal
3. Tracing and
Locating the
Criminal
4. Undercover
Assignments

FINALS A. The Crime Scene and Search: A. The Crime Scene and • Socialized discussion • Handouts • Recitation
Search • Lecture • Reference Books • Written quizzes
At the end of this lesson, the student
• MS Power Point and Articles • Answer to
should be able to appreciate the 1. Concepts
2. Physical Evidence Presentation • LCD Projector review questions
evidences for court presentation.
3. Characteristics of • Chalk and Board • Major
B. Crime Against Person; the Crime Physical Evidence Examinations
Investigator at Trial: 4. Crimes Requiring
Crime Scene
Search
At the end of this lesson, the student 5. Kinds of Evidence
should be able to: 6. Initial Steps at
Crime Scene
1. Explain the scientific 7. Investigation
application of Criminal Activities
Investigation; and 8. Organizing Search
of Crime Scene
2. Identify the different rules and
9. Methods of
responsibilities of the Crime Searching
Investigator. 10.Entrapment
11.Evaluation of
Evidence
12.Collection of
Evidence

B. Crime Against
Person – Destruction
of Life

SYLLABUS in LEA 316 – Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation by MELCON S. LAPINA, MSCrim

3
www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com
 1. Theories, Roles of
Homicide
Investigation
2. Role of
Pathologist
3. Role of Crime
Laboratory
Experts
4. Basic Rules in
Homicide
Investigation

C. The Crime
Investigator at Trial

1. Rules and
Responsibilities
2. Steps in Preparing
for Trial
3. Conference with
Prosecution
4. The Investigator
as a Witness

IV. Policies and Expectations

Class Attendance and Participation

1. Regular class attendance is a course requirement. Students are encouraged to attend class punctually. A 15-minute portion of
class missed is counted as an absence.
2. Regardless of prior course grades, students who missed 10% of the total hours of academic time required per semester is
automatically dropped from the class with prior notice.
3. Classes begin at the exact times specified in the schedule of classes. Tardiness in three consecutive times will be counted as one
absence.
4. Students absent from class are not allowed to make up missed tests, quizzes, writing assignments or other graded work.
5. Attendance will be taken during each class. Students must be present during the entire class period to be marked present. Going
out of class earlier than schedule is not allowed.
SYLLABUS in LEA 316 – Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation by MELCON S. LAPINA, MSCrim
4
www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com
 6. Attendance and participation make up 20% of the students’ grades.
7. Since attendance marks an important part of the students’ grades, regular attendance and active participation are therefore of
central importance for this course to provide students not just with good grades but also with both fun and satisfying education
experience.

Class Decorum

1. No wearing of headphones. All electronic devices must be turned in discreet mood during class so as to avoid disturbing the class.
2. Students who are more than 15 minutes late are not permitted entry in the classroom and are therefore marked absent.
3. Students caught cheating and/or plagiarizing will be dismissed from the class and will receive failing grade.
4. Students wearing incomplete or improper uniforms are not allowed entry in the class.
5. Absolutely no eating and drinking in the class.
6. Leaving the class in the middle of a lecture, discussion, and class activities without express permission, having private
conversations, text messaging and receiving calls that disrupt the class are absolutely prohibited.

Turning in Works

1. All works such as assignments, and other written classroom activities must be turned in and handed to the instructor personally at
the beginning of the class on the date due. Works turned in by methods other than the one specified will not be accepted.
2. Late works are not accepted.

V. Assessment Procedure/Evaluation Scheme

The components of the student’s grade for a particular grading period are as follows:

Major Exams 40%

Quizzes and Other Requirements 40%

Attendance 10%

Participation 10%

100%
SYLLABUS in LEA 316 – Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation by MELCON S. LAPINA, MSCrim
5
www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com
 The grade equivalent of scores in exams, quizzes, requirements, attendance and participation will be derived using the given formula:

GE = RS x 50/No. of Items + 50

Where: GE = grade equivalent; RS = raw score

A Student’s final overall grade will be calculated as followings:

(Prelim Grade + Midterm Grade + Pre-Final Grade + Final Grade)/4 = Final Grade Average

VI. References

Burstein, Harvey. Criminal Investigation. California: Books/Cole Publishing Company. 1999.

De Leon, Hector. Textbook on the 1987 Philippine Constitution. 1994.
James, Gilbert. Criminal Investigation. Columbus, Ohio: Charles Merrill Publishing Co., 1986.
Myren, Richard H. Investigation for Determination of Facts. California: Books/Cole Publishing Company, 1989.
Sadili Sr. Virgilio M. and Romeo L. Peña. Comprehensive Criminal Investigation Procedure. 1998.
The PNP Investigation Manual. Camp Crame, Quezon City. 1996.
The Revised Rules of Courts of the Philippines. 1997 Edition.
Tradio, Cirilo M. Handbook of Criminal Investigation. Quezon City, Manila, Philippine. 1997.
West, Paul B. and Kenneth M. Wells. Criminal Investigation: Basic Perspectives. Prentice – Hall, New Jersey. 1990.

SYLLABUS in LEA 316 – Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation by MELCON S. LAPINA, MSCrim

6
www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com