Skip to Main Content Skip to bottom Skip to Chat, Email, Text
Back to Program

SEC/431

Principles of Investigation

3 credits

Total credits

5 weeks

Course length

Request info

Take this course on its own, or as part of a degree or certificate program.

View all programs

Please Note: Attendance and participation are mandatory in all University courses, and specific requirements may differ by course. If attendance requirements are not met, a student may be removed from the course. Please review the Course Attendance Policy in the Catalog for more information.

University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

Course level: Upper Division

Investigation of criminal activity, employment applicant backgrounds, and internal organizational security issues are an integral part of the security manager's responsibilities. This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the principles and techniques of investigation.

Please Note: Attendance and participation are mandatory in all University courses, and specific requirements may differ by course. If attendance requirements are not met, a student may be removed from the course. Please review the Course Attendance Policy in the Catalog for more information.

University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

What you'll learn

Course skills and outcomes

  • Describe how to obtain, substantiate, and effectively document and present information from suspects, witnesses, investigative leads, and victims.
  • Explain how to process a crime or incident scene for physical evidence.
  • Discuss the major principles of security interviews and security interrogations.
  • Identify different surveillance and listening techniques, and understand associated legal issues.
  • Describe how to conduct undercover and sting operations.
  • Explain how to effectively present investigative findings for court or administrative review boards.

  • Explain the role of the security manager in criminal investigations and how this role intersects to official public safety related investigations.
  • Assess the foundational elements of crimes.
  • Evaluate methods of operation and their importance in criminal investigations.
  • Analyze the characteristics of specific criminal offense investigations.
  • Identify scientific methodologies involved in criminal investigations.
  • Identify public and private sources of information.

  • Explain the rules and laws related to gathering, maintaining, and presenting evidence.
  • Discuss techniques for recognizing physical evidence, as well as how to properly mark, photograph, measure, collect, and package physical evidence.
  • Describe the chain of custody and the procedures for maintaining the integrity of evidence, as well as the legal disposal of physical evidence.
  • Discuss the assessment and integration of physical evidence into the scope of the overall investigation.
  • Explain the capabilities of forensic science and the types of analyses that may be conducted to enhance the value of physical evidence.
  • Identify technologies that may assist with the identification and preservation of evidence.

  • Identify the techniques for conducting pre-employment background investigations.
  • Assess the importance of verification of applicant information for security clearances.
  • Identify the resources available to assist in screening applicants.
  • Examine the importance and methods of investigating and documenting work-related injuries as an element of the worker's compensation claim process.

  • Discuss the importance and nature of confidentiality in conducting administrative and personnel investigations.
  • Determine the reasons for conducting administrative and personnel investigations.
  • Identify the various outcomes that may result from administrative and personnel investigations.
  • Analyze the legal and privacy issues related to administrative and personnel and security investigations.
  • Demonstrate research methods and intelligence-gathering techniques.

Why UOPX

Why take courses at University of Phoenix

Accreditation that matters

We’ve been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org) for more than 40 years.

Real-world instructors

Learn from instructors who bring an average of 25 years of working experience to the classroom.

Affordable and potentially reimbursable

Our tuition and fees are competitive and fixed. Also, check to see if your employer will cover you for this course.

Next Steps

Smiling enrollment representative

Start a conversation about your future with an enrollment representative today.

Call 844-937-8679
Start chatting

Transfer Credits

Credit Transfer

Need to transfer credits to another college or university?

Before you enroll in a course, check with your school of choice to make sure they will accept our transfer credits and to understand any requirements or limitations. Then you can complete your course, and request your official transcript be sent to your school. That’s it!

How to request your transcripts

Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. If you have a question contact us at (866) 354-1800.

The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. Although our continuing teacher education courses are accepted by some state agencies in the United States toward teacher certifications and endorsements, this may not be the case in all states or foreign jurisdictions. If you plan to use courses for certification or endorsement, please check with your own state agency and your school district for applicability. Continuing teacher education courses are not eligible to apply to degree programs at University of Phoenix. These courses are not eligible for federal financial aid. Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative. If you have a question contact us at (866) 354-1800.