Distinguished - Paper is logically organized with a well-written introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion.

Proficient - Paper is logically organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One of these requires improvement.

Basic - Paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One or more of the introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - Paper is loosely organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require much improvement.

Non-Performance - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly selects and describes a crime and investigation type. The description is thorough and detailed.

Proficient - Selects and describes a crime and investigation type. The description is detailed.

Basic - Selects and describes a crime and investigation type. The description is somewhat detailed.

Below Expectations - Selects and attempts to describe a crime and investigation type; however, the description is only minimally detailed.

Non-Performance - The selection and description of a crime and investigation type are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Prepares a thorough plan that outlines the investigative and management steps the investigation will go through. The plan is detailed and appropriate.

Proficient - Prepares a plan that outlines the investigative and management steps the investigation will go through. The plan is detailed and mostly appropriate.

Basic - Prepares a limited plan that outlines the investigative and management steps the investigation will go through. The plan is somewhat appropriate, but many steps lack detail.

Below Expectations - Attempts to prepare a plan that outlines the investigative and management steps the investigation will go through; however, the plan is not entirely appropriate and/or the steps lack significant detail.

Non-Performance - The plan that outlines the investigative and management steps is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively discusses the steps involved in the investigation, who is involved, and what role they play.

Proficient - Discusses the steps involved in the investigation, who is involved, and what role they play. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially discusses the steps involved in the investigation, who is involved, and what role they play. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the steps involved in the investigation, who is involved, and what role they play; however, the discussion lacks significant details.

Non-Performance - The discussion of the steps involved in the investigation is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies specific investigative issues of the crime. Provides a comprehensive analysis of the unique attributes of the particular crime and thoroughly addresses how one deals with the investigative issues.

Proficient - Identifies specific investigative issues of the crime. Provides an analysis of the unique attributes of the particular crime and addresses how one deals with the investigative issues. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Identifies specific investigative issues of the crime. Partially analyzes the unique attributes of the particular crime and somewhat addresses how one deals with the investigative issues. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Identifies specific investigative issues of the crime. Attempts to analyze the unique attributes of the particular crime and address how one deals with the investigative issues; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The identification of specific investigative issues of the crime and analysis of the unique attributes of the crime are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides an accurate discussion of the specific laws that must be adhered to in the investigation to create a flawless report for the prosecutor. The discussion is supported with specific and relevant details.

Proficient - Provides a discussion of the specific laws that must be adhered to in the investigation to create a flawless report for the prosecutor. The discussion is supported with details

Basic - Provides a minimal discussion of the specific laws that must be adhered to in the investigation to create a flawless report for the prosecutor. The discussion is somewhat supported with details, but may contain minor inaccuracies.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the specific laws that must be adhered to in the investigation to create a flawless report for the prosecutor; however, the discussion is not sufficiently supported with details or contains inaccuracies.

Non-Performance - The discussion of specific laws that must be adhered to in the investigation is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Distinguishes probable implications of the text for contexts, perspectives, or issues outside the assigned task or beyond the author’s explicit message.

Proficient - Uses the text, general background understanding, and/or specific knowledge of the author’s context to draw more intricate inferences about the author’s message and approach.

Basic - Considers how textual features (e.g., sentence and paragraph structure or tone) contribute to the author’s message; draws fundamental inferences about context and rationale of text.

Below Expectations - Inadequately captures vocabulary and makes an effort to paraphrase or summarize the information the text communicates.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Autonomously synthesizes or draws conclusions by combining examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines.

Proficient - Autonomously correlates examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines.

Basic - Attempts to correlate examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines.

Below Expectations - When prompted, displays inconsistent examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Employs persuasive information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

Below Expectations - Displays information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Demonstrates methodical application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand. Summaries, quotes, and/or paraphrases fit naturally into the sentences and paragraphs. Paper flows smoothly.

Proficient - Demonstrates sufficient application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is, for the most part, clear and easy to understand. There are some problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper flows somewhat smoothly.

Basic - Demonstrates a limited understanding of organization and presentation of content in written work. The purpose of the writing is somewhat evident, but may not be integrated throughout the assignment. There are many problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly in all sections.

Below Expectations - Organization and presentation of content is extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear. There is little or no blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly when read.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors, and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors, and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors, which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors, which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors.

Basic - Exhibits basic knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements.

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The paper meets the specific page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Proficient - The paper closely meets the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Below Expectations - A fraction of the page requirement is completed.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.