The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment requires the active participation of students and the instructor to create robust interaction and dialogue. Every student is expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB question as well as engage in dialogue by responding to posts created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit, DB participation will be assessed based on both level of engagement and the quality of the contribution to the discussion.

At a minimum, each student will be expected to post an original and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to the weekly dialogue by responding to at least two other posts from students. The first contribution must be posted before midnight (Central Time) on Wednesday of each week. Two additional responses are required after Wednesday of each week. Students are highly encouraged to engage on the Discussion Board early and often, as that is the primary way the university tracks class attendance and participation.

The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow students to learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to course content and the DB question. Because it is not possible to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended, no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit.

You are the search team leader on a homicide crime scene in which a body was located in a small field (approximately 3 acres in size) behind an abandoned warehouse. This area is overgrown with bushes and tall grass, making the job of searching and recovering evidence rather difficult for you and your team. It is up to you to decide which type of search pattern you feel would be best for this crime scene.

Conduct an Internet search on various types of search patterns used to search for evidence at a crime scene and then answer the following questions:

• What search patterns may be utilized at this crime scene?
• Choose one of the search patterns you reviewed and discuss the pros and cons of the search method that you have chosen.
• Why did you make the choice to use this particular search pattern for your recovery efforts?
• If you had a secondary choice of search patterns, what would that search pattern be, and why?
• Why is having a strong foundation in report writing a key characteristic of a successful investigator? Explain.
• What types of information would you include in your report with regard to this investigation? Explain.
  • What types of information would you not include in your report? Why not?

Provide the link to the Internet source used to submit your posting.

In your own words, please post a response to the Discussion Board and comment on other postings. You will be graded on the quality of your postings.

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.