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Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ): Specialization in Forensic Science
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ): Specialization in Forensic Science
This Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) degree program features a specialization in Forensic Science and is designed for students wishing to pursue an interest in a fascinating field that combines scientific and criminal justice techniques. Courses are structured to assist them in the development of their goals as they can learn knowledge and skills common to forensic science professionals.
To learn more about AIU, our degree programs or how to apply for admission, please contact us for more information.
The study of forensic science can involve investigating crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence. The goal of the Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice program with a specialization in Forensic Science is to provide students with an opportunity to study the field of medico-legal death investigation in the context of forensic science while learning foundational criminal justice theories.
In this industry-focused curriculum, students can learn about jurisdiction established by the law to define the cause and manner of death, conduct a death scene investigation and techniques in establishing identity and post mortem interval. They can also learn specific skills such as notification of next of kin, interviewing witnesses and interpreting crime scene photography. This curriculum also includes a heavy focus on Criminal Justice where students can study topics such the theories of crime causation, and crime victim studies.
The forensic science specialization is designed to help prepare students with foundational knowledge of forensic science and technology. In this curriculum, students can learn how to:
- Process a crime scene that includes collection, preservation and analysis of evidence, developing and lift fingerprints, blood spatter interpretation and write a narrative and scene description.
- Define forensic science, postmortem interval, body changes, relevant medical history, traumatic injury, postmortem lab tests, and features of death scene investigations.
- Define the roles and responsibilities of a forensic psychologist and their relationship with law enforcement officials.
- Use the techniques of criminal investigation involving criminal profiling, psychological autopsies, hypnosis, and lie detection.
- Define and understand computer crimes and investigation including use of incidence response tools, wireless network analysis and tool testing and analytical methodologies.
- Apply forensic computer knowledge pertaining to data modeling, data definition language, data manipulation language, operating systems, and networking knowledge to solve crimes.
- and many more industry-related skills.
In addition to the general education requirements, this BSCJ program includes the following courses that are taught by instructors, many of whom have relevant career experience in the field of ciminal justice. The experiences and firsthand perspectives they could share in class can help prepare you for real-life challenges after you graduate.
CORE COURSES
- Foundations of Criminal Justice Systems
- Theories of Crime Causation
- Introduction to Criminal Law
- Introduction to Law Enforcement
- Introduction to American Court System
- Foundations of Corrections
- Proseminar in Criminal Justice
- Crime Victim Studies
- Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Theory
- Constitutional Issues in Criminal Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Research Methods and Statistics for Criminal Justice
- Cultural Diversity in Criminal Justice
- Ethics and Criminal Justice
SPECIALIZATION COURSE OPTIONS
- Arson Investigation
- Evidence
- Criminalistics
- Aspects of Forensic Psychology
- Criminalistics II
- Psychopathology and Criminality
- Medicolegal Death Investigation
- Introduction to Biometrics
- Cybercrimes
- Forensic Biology
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This program is available at the following AIU campuses:
Degree programs and availability vary by campus.