Criminal Justice Technology: Forensic Science Concentration

This course introduces the college's physical, academic, and social environment and promotes the personal development essential for success. Topics include campus facilities and resources; policies, procedures, and programs; study skills; and life management issues such as health, self-esteem, motivation, goal-setting, diversity, and communication. Upon completion, students should be able to function effectively within the college environment to meet their educational objectives.

This course covers the juvenile justice system and related juvenile issues. Topics include an overview of the juvenile justice system, treatment and prevention programs, special areas and laws unique to juveniles, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify/discuss juvenile court structure/procedures, function and jurisdiction of juvenile agencies, processing/detention of juveniles, and case disposition.

This course covers the history/evolution/principles and contemporary applications of criminal law. Topics include sources of substantive law, classification of crimes, parties to crime, elements of crimes, matters of criminal responsibility, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to discuss the sources of law and identify, interpret, and apply the appropriate statutes/elements.

This course covers ethical considerations and accepted standards applicable to criminal justice organizations and professionals. Topics include ethical systems; social change, values, and norms; cultural diversity; citizen involvement in criminal justice issues; and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to apply ethical considerations to the decision-making process in identifiable criminal justice situations.

This course introduces the theories and fundamentals of the investigative process. Topics include crime scene/incident processing, information gathering techniques, collection/preservation of evidence, preparation of appropriate reports, court presentations, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify, explain, and demonstrate the techniques of the investigative process, report preparation, and courtroom presentation.

This course covers liability issues for the criminal justice professional. Topics include civil rights violations, tort liability, employment issues, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to explain civil trial procedures and discuss contemporary liability issues.

This course, the second in a series of two, is designed to teach professional communication skills. Emphasis is placed on research, listening, critical reading and thinking, analysis, interpretation, and design used in oral and written presentations. Upon completion, students should be able to work individually and collaboratively to produce well-designed business and professional written and oral presentations.

Available Courses: ART 111, ART 114, ART 115, ART 116, ART 118, ART 283, DRA 111, DRA 126, ENG 131, ENG 231, ENG 232, ENG 233, ENG 241, ENG 242, ENG 243, ENG 261, ENG 262, HUM 110, HUM 115, HUM 120, HUM 122, HUM 130, HUM 220, MUS 110, MUS 112, MUS 210, PHI 240, REL 110, REL 211, REL 212 or REL 221.

This course provides an activity-based approach that develops measurement skills and mathematical literacy using technology to solve problems for non-math intensive programs. Topics include unit conversions and estimation within a variety of measurement systems; ratio and proportion; basic geometric concepts; financial literacy; and statistics including measures of central tendency, dispersion, and charting of data. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the use of mathematics and technology to solve practical problems, and to analyze and communicate results.

This course provides an overview of the scientific study of human behavior. Topics include history, methodology, biopsychology, sensation, perception, learning, motivation, cognition, abnormal behavior, personality theory, social psychology, and other relevant topics. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the science of psychology.

This course introduces students to concepts which unite psychology and the legal system. Topics include defining competency, insanity, involuntary commitment, as well as introducing forensic assessment techniques, such as interviewing process, specialized assessments, and collecting collateral information. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge in areas of forensic psychology: risk assessment, criminal competencies, insanity, psychopathology, and mentally disordered offenders.

This course introduces the components and processes of the criminal justice system. Topics include history, structure, functions, and philosophy of the criminal justice system and their relationship to life in our society. Upon completion, students should be able to define and describe the major system components and their interrelationships and evaluate career options.

This course covers judicial structure/process/procedure from incident to disposition, kinds and degrees of evidence, and the rules governing admissibility of evidence in court. Topics include consideration of state and federal courts, arrest, search and seizure laws, exclusionary and statutory rules of evidence, and other related issues. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and discuss procedures necessary to establish a lawful arrest/search, proper judicial procedures, and the admissibility of evidence.

The course covers the impact of the Constitution of the United States and its amendments on the criminal justice system. Topics include the structure of the Constitution and its amendments, court decisions pertinent to contemporary criminal justice issues, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify/discuss the basic structure of the United States Constitution and the rights/procedures as interpreted by the courts.

This course introduces deviant behavior as it relates to criminal activity. Topics include theories of crime causation; statistical analysis of criminal behavior; past, present, and future social control initiatives; and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to explain and discuss various theories of crime causation and societal response.

This course is designed to develop the ability to produce clear writing in a variety of genres and formats using a recursive process. Emphasis includes inquiry, analysis, effective use of rhetorical strategies, thesis development, audience awareness, and revision. Upon completion, students should be able to produce unified, coherent, well-developed essays using standard written English.

This course introduces computer concepts, including fundamental functions and operations of the computer. Topics include identification of hardware components, basic computer operations, security issues, and use of software applications. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of computers and use the computer to solve problems.

This course covers methodologies for photographing crime scenes including their application to forensic sciences, the legal system, and the proper use of digital cameras and accessories. Topics include digital cameras, operational functions required to properly photograph physical evidence and crime scenes, factors affecting admissibility of crime scene photographs, and methods and techniques specific to photographing crime scenes. Upon completion, students should be able to operate digital cameras using appropriate settings to control exposure and depth of field, properly compose various types of crime scene photographs, and use specialized techniques to properly photograph key items of evidence.

This course provides a study of trace evidence as it relates to forensic science. Topics include collection, packaging, and preservation of trace evidence from crime scenes such as bombings, fires and other scenes. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the fundamental concepts of trace evidence collection, preservation and submission to the crime laboratory.

This course introduces the basic elements of fingerprint technology and techniques applicable to the criminal justice field. Topics include the history and meaning of fingerprints, pattern types and classification filing sequence, searching and referencing. Upon completion, the students should be able to discuss and demonstrate the fundamental techniques of basic fingerprint technology.

This course introduces the theories and practices of crime scene processing and investigating. Topics include legal considerations at the crime scene, processing indoor and outdoor scenes, recording, note taking, collection and preservation of evidence and submission to the crime laboratory. Upon completion, the student should be able to evaluate and search various crime scenes and demonstrate theapprpriate techniques.

This course covers the functions of the forensic laboratory and its relationship to successful criminal investigations and prosecutions. Topics include advanced crime scene processing, investigative techniques, current forensic technologies, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and collect relevant evidence at simulated crime scenes and request appropriate laboratory analysis of submitted evidence.

This course introduces the theories and processes of advanced friction ridge analysis. Topics include evaluation of friction ridges, chart preparation, comparative analysis for values determination rendering proper identification, chemical enhancement and AFIS preparation and usage. Upon completion, students must show an understanding of proper procedures for friction ridge analysis through written testing and practical exercises.