In this assignment, you are asked to critically analyze the portrayal of criminal investigations in popular media, such as TV shows, movies, and documentaries. The goal is to evaluate the accuracy of these portrayals, identify potential misconceptions, and compare them to real-life investigative practices and techniques. Through this assignment, you will enhance their critical thinking skills, gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of criminal investigations, and improve your ability to communicate effectively about the subject.

Word Limit: 2, five hundred words (excluding references)

Instructions

1. Media Selection: Choose a specific piece of media (e.g., a TV show episode, a movie, or a documentary) that prominently features [a] criminal investigation(s). Your media selection should be approved by the instructor beforehand to ensure its appropriateness for the assignment.
2. Analysis and Comparison: Watch/read your chosen media carefully, paying close attention to the investigation-related scenes or aspects. You should then conduct research to identify real-life investigatory practices and techniques that correspond to the portrayed elements in the media.
3. Critical Evaluation ofAccuracy: In a well-structured essay, critically evaluate the accuracy of the investigation portrayal(s) in the chosen media. You must analyze specific scenes, techniques, and/or forensic tools depicted and determine if they align with real-world practices. Be sure to critique portrayals of interview and interrogation processes, eyewitness identification, informants, issues of privacy (including searches and seizures), and the internal and external law enforcement uses of the modern computer. Where inaccuracies are found, you should clearly explain the discrepancies and provide evidence from reputable sources to support your arguments.
4. Misconceptions Identification:Identify any potential misconceptions that the media might perpetuate about criminal investigations. These misconceptions could relate to the capabilities of agencies, investigators, interview/interrogation techniques, informants, forensic methods, the speed of analysis, the certainty of results, or the overall portrayal of investigators and their role in investigations.
5. Real-life Comparison:For each element of criminal investigation depicted in the media, you should describe how it aligns with actual practices and techniques used in real-life investigations. You should use scholarly articles, textbooks, and reputable sources to support their comparisons and provide a well-rounded perspective.
6. Reflection and Recommendations:In the conclusion of your essay, you should reflect on the overall impact of media portrayals on public perception of criminal investigations. You should propose recommendations on how media representations can be improved to reflect a more accurate and responsible portrayal of the field.

Assessment Criteria

The assignment will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Clarity of communication: proper grammar/punctuation, correct spelling, and overall structure.
• Depth and accuracy of media analysis and comparison with real-life investigatory practices.
• Identification and discussion of potential misconceptions in the media portrayal.
• Use of credible sources to support arguments and comparisons.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Overall reflection and thoughtful recommendations for improving media portrayals.

Note: You must cite reputable sources and provide a list of references for your research. Avoid relying solely on biased or unreliable sources found on the internet. Avoid relying solely on the course textbook.

Your written assignment is intended to test your understanding of important concepts and to sharpen your intellectual skills of analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and application.The intent of the written assignment is to provide an opportunity to more fully describe, explain, and analyze the books and other sources. Be sure to cite any and all sources correctly so that your academic integrity is not called into question.

Resources

Throughout this course, these resources will enable you to successfully complete written assignments:

1. Empire State University's Online Library- designed to allow students to search through a well-rounded collection of e-books, videos, online journals, reference resources and databases. Librarians also provide workshops and services via email, phone, chat and the Web.
2. Empire State University'sOnline Writing Center- designed to help students quickly and easily find the services and resources they need to become successful, independent writers.

Please read the SUNY Empire State University statement on Academic Integritybefore submitting any work for this course. Be sure to cite any and all sources correctly so that your academic integrity is not called into question.