Successful completion of AIU’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program with a Specialization in Forensic Science can provide students with an industry focused look into conducting a death scene investigation and techniques in establishing identity and post mortem interval. Students will also gain an applicable foundation of industry-related knowledge and skills, including 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; explain forensic science, postmortem interval, body changes, relevant medical history, traumatic injury, postmortem lab tests, and the 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; 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. The core modules are:

•  Arson Investigation
•  Evidence
•  Criminalistics
•  Aspects of Forensic Psychology
•  Psychopathology and Criminality
•  Medicolegal Death Investigation
•  Introduction to Biometrics
•  Cybercrimes
•  Forensic Biology

The Criminal Justice area of study is designed to both introduce and provide students with an interest in the areas of the courts, corrections or law enforcement to the various careers, responsibilities and real-world opportunities present in the criminal justice industry today. Instructors in our criminal justice degree programs draw on their own specialized professional experiences when designing course materials and curricula, ensuring students will receive learning and skills grounded in the needs of the criminal justice industry as it stands today. Learn more today about AIU’s degrees in criminal justice and how it is designed to help students achieve success.

The Chemistry Department generally follows safety practices as outlined in the American Chemical Society’s manual “Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories”. Students in teaching and research labs must follow the laboratory safety policies of the Chemistry department. A minimum grade of ”C-” is required in all courses applied to the Chemistry major. Grades below “C-” in prerequisite courses do not satisfy prerequisite requirements. A vibrant intellectual environment: Sacramento State has a diverse student body of 28,500 and a highly knowledgeable faculty, with 98 percent of our full-time professors holding the highest degree in their fields. Each year, our seven colleges award 6,500 degrees to students who pick from 58 undergraduate majors and 41 master’s degrees, six post-baccalaureate certificates and two doctoral degrees. Our General Education Honors Program is tailored for high-achieving freshmen. The core modules are:

•  General Chemistry
•  Organic Chemistry I and II + Labs
•  Calculus
•  General Physics
•  General Biochemistry
•  Introduction to Criminal Justice and Society
•  Introduction to Physical Evidence
•  Chemical Instrumentation

All sub-disciplines of chemistry are represented by the exciting research being carried out by faculty at CSUS’s department of chemistry. Students can work with faculty on projects relating to the development of new and novel pharmaceuticals, understanding natural and human disturbed processes occurring in our environment, elucidating important biochemical pathways, chemical instrumentation development, novel compound syntheses, computational chemistry, and chemical education, to name a few. Opportunities exist to carry out interdisciplinary research with researchers in other departments as well as with other universities and outside agencies. Many of our faculty have been awarded research grants from external funding agencies to support their work. The department is well equipped to carry out research with modern instrumentation that is available for student use. Most importantly, students get to work alongside their research advisors and learn in an ideal collaborative atmosphere.

 The Forensic Science program at SJSU offers Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees with concentrations in Chemistry and Biology and a Minor in Forensic Studies for students interested in forensic investigations. Students in the BSFS majors take basic and advanced biology and chemistry courses to build a strong foundation in the sciences, and complement these with courses in forensic science applications. The curricula of each major is designed to meet the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Forensic Education Program Accreditation standards. Interdisciplinary research in forensic science is very active and externally funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Keck Foundation,  the California Association of Criminalists (CAC) student scholarships and support from partnerships with California city, county, and state crime laboratories, academic institution partnerships and over 6 biotechnology partnerships. Students have presented over 35 peer reviewed presentations at local, regional, national and international science meetings, published their work in scientific journals, and our own peer reviewed Journal, Themis as well as in our FS forum newsletter.  Our forensic science student group is extremely active on and off campus running a forensic science seminar series, volunteering and running numerous events and conferences and supporting the department, college and university through their service.  The core modules are:

• General Chemistry
• Quantitative Analysis
• Fundamentals of Physics
• Elementary Statistics
• Foundations of Biodiversity
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Forensic Science Applications
• Forensic Molecular Biology
• Survey of Forensic Science
• Forensic Anthropology
• Introduction to Bioinformatics

The expanding department currently has 11 full time faculty members, 16 lecturers, and over 700 majors. Faculty in our department are widely recognized and well respected scholars and researchers, as well as innovative, effective teachers. In addition to mentoring and teaching students, they conduct research on human rights, immigration, migration, border violence, violence against women, political economy of punishment, criminalization of migrants around Europe and the United States, Japanese-Brazilian transmigrants in Japan, life course of sex offender behavior, immigrant perceptions of the legitimacy of authority, policing, effects of policing on Latino and African American neighborhoods, victimology, family violence, violence again women, youth violence, deviance and criminology, life course criminology, self and identity, gender and crime, and developing DNA profiles from degraded samples.

Students in our department are highly active in numerous student groups (Alpha Phi Sigma, Chi Pi Sigma, Forensic Science Students Group, and the JS Task Force), and participate widely in the community and university. Our Department offers the following degrees:  MS in Justice Studies; BS in Justice Studies; BS in Forensic Science with a concentration in Biology or Chemistry; Minor in Justice Studies; Minor in Forensic Studies; Minor in Legal Studies; and Minor in Human Rights.

Our curriculum supports understanding through praxis as well as traditional scholarship. Through internships, the award winning Record Clearance Project, the CSI Summer Camp, and research projects, our students engage in service, advocacy, legal assistance, creating new knowledge, and educating the public. Upon graduation, students  are very well prepared for graduate studies, law school, or careers in justice related professions such as at nonprofits, in probation and parole, in corrections, in law enforcement, and in crime labs.

Forensic Science represents the interface of science and the law. The minor is intended to complement a major in the natural sciences by introducing biology and chemistry students to the forensic perspective as it operates within and across justice system communities. However, students may also take select courses in the minor without formal enrollment in the program provided they have satisfied the course prerequisites. Prospective students should note that CRIM 414 stipulates 300 or 400 level prerequisites and CRIM 415 stipulates 300 level prerequisites. The CRIM 301 prerequisite for CRIM 305, CRIM 411, and CRIM 412 will be waived with permission from the instructor or the forensic science minor advisor.

The courses offered in the minor integrate the scientific concepts developed from the basic sciences to problems unique to the forensic sciences, including crime scene reconstruction, legal integrity of scientific evidence, expert testimony, and individualization. The curriculum covers several specializations, including forensic biology, forensic chemistry, microscopy, crime scene management and courtroom interpretation of evidence. Completion of the minor in Forensic Science requires a total of 32 units with a minimum C grade point average. At least 12 units of upper division courses must be taken in residence at CSULA. The core modules are:

• Ethics and Professional Responsibility
• Applications of Forensic Science
• Interpretation of Evidence in the Courtroom
• Crime Scene Management
• Forensic Biology
• Forensic Chemistry
• Physical Methods and Pattern Analysis
• Forensic Microscopy and Trace Evidence Analysis

In addition to meeting fully its obligations under federal and state law, Cal State L.A. is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can live, work and learn in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual. To that end, all qualified individuals will receive equal consideration without regard to economic status, race, ethnicity, color religion, national origin or cultural background, political views, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics or beliefs.

Forensic Anthropology at Cal State Los Angeles is a graduate option which requires special admission. The students must obtain admission to the university as well as to the option.  These courses will be chosen by the student and his or her faculty advisor in consultation with the department curriculum committee. Students must satisfy this requirement in order to be advanced to candidacy and attempt the comprehensive examination or submit a thesis proposal Students must complete either the comprehensive examination or a thesis prior to graduation, as required and the individual options presented below. Students also must fulfill all university requirements including the graduation writing assessment requirement (GWAR).The core modules are:

•  Advanced Forensic Anthropology
•  Forensic Osteology
•  Applied Anthropology
•  Physical Anthropology
•  Forensic Pathology
•  Advanced Forensic Anthropology
•  One from:  Forensic Science, Interpretation of Evidence in the Courtroom, Crime Scene Management, Forensic Pathology (Advanced)

The MA degree in Anthropology, with a concentration in Forensic Anthropology, will prepare the student for alternate careers, including some in law enforcement (such as Death Investigation), museums (primarily in Human Osteology and Repatriation), and Junior Colleges (teaching). Students who have graduated in the physical anthropology MA program at Cal State Los Angeles are involved in Ph.D. programs around the country, including Arizona State University, Univeristy of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The Ohio State University, and others. One graduate is employed as a forensic scientist by the FBI, one is a law enforcement ranger with the Washington state park system, a few are working bioarchaeologists and others are teaching in Southern California.

The Master of Applied Criminology includes a concentration program called Criminal Behavior, which is designed for students interested in understanding offenders from a motivational, psychological, and social perspective. It will  enhance the knowledge base for students interested in law enforcement, correctional, investigative, or consulting careers. The master’s degree program enhances the skill set and employability of those interested in entering – or currently working in – the field of criminology. Each concentration is taught by faculty with field expertise in that area. Students can choose their concentration based on their interests or what is most relevant to their career. All of the concentrations supplement a strong educational base in law, research, theory, and applied criminology. The core modules for Criminal Behavior Concentration are:

•  Advanced Criminal Behaviors – Mass and Serial Criminals
•  Investigative Psychology and Behavioral Profiling
•  Targeted Violence and Threat Assessment
•  Violence and the Juvenile Offender
•  Technology and Crime
•  Interviewing and Interrogation – History and Fundamentals
•  Public / Private Partnership – A Multidisciplinary Approach to Mitigating Crime and Terrorism
•  Applied Criminology Research Practicum

California School of Forensic Studies (CSFS) at Alliant International University is on the forefront of redefining and expanding the traditional definitions of criminology, criminal justice, and forensic studies. As one of the first schools established dedicated to the field of forensics the specialists put at the students’ disposal all the necessary means in order to impact society, public opinion and policy through evidence-based practices.

The Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from California Baptist University prepares professionals qualified to provide critical psychological services to the criminal justice system. Uniquely designed to integrate law and psychology, CBU’s MA in Forensic Psychology focuses on the understanding of human behavior within the legal system. Graduates come away with the interdisciplinary knowledge to shape laws and policies that reflect human behavior. The core modules are:

•  Legal Research and Reasoning
•  Advanced Criminal Law
•  Theories and Perspectives of Criminal Behavior
•  Criminal Investigation
•  Statistical Analysis
•  Statistical Analysis
•  Forensic Research Methods
•  Forensic Research Methods
•  Biological Bases of Behavior
•  Criminal Profiling
•  Advanced Social Psychology
•  Advanced Psychopathology and Criminality
•  Forensic Psychology
•  Forensic Practicum
•  Forensic Practicum
•  Human Growth and Development

CBU’s Graduate Program in Forensic Psychology encompasses a psychosocial and biblical understanding of psychopathology, law and psychology, and police psychology.

The program in forensic psychology is designed to educate clinicians to provide psychological services to the criminal justice system. The program is designed for students whose primary interest and intention is working or studying in areas which intersect with the criminal justice system.

Classes focus on the theories, evaluation, adjudication and potential treatment of adult and juvenile offenders. In addition, the program addresses the rights and treatment of victims of crime. There are two essential major areas of study; Forensic Technology itself, and Fingerprint Comparisons. In the Forensic Technology area, the instructors prepare students for the demands of crime scene photography, crime scene processing and criminalistics.

The university has  basic and advanced Fingerprint courses. Diane Do and John Farrell from San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept. and Tom Washington from San Diego PD are our instructors and have prepared many students for a career as fingerprint specialists. They are working with high-end systems to enhance the students ability to be able to be very competitive in their job searches. This is an advanced fingerprint comparison system.

This 39-unit program is based on a philosophy of therapeutic, restorative justice and is designed for licensed clinicians and nurses. Graduates of this program are prepared for a career in working with victims and perpetrators in a correctional setting. The core modules are:

•  Foundations of Counseling: Process and Skills
•  Forensic Psychology and the Law
•  Psychology of Criminal Behavior
•  Substance Abuse Assessment & Treatment
•  Assessment, Diagnosis, & Treatment of the Victim
•  Assessment, Diagnosis, & Treatment of the Offender
•  Forensics: Psychometrics and Assessment
•  Forensic Psychology Professional Practice Seminar
•  Advanced Issues in Correctional and Community Counseling
•  Human Diversity in Counseling
•  Domestic Violence Assessment and Treatment
•  Supervised Practicum
•  Integrating Seminar

The program, designed for those who may be licensed, prepares professionals for a career in working with victims and perpetrators in a correctional setting. The program is uniquely based in a foundational philosophy of restorative justice. Students will gain theoretical knowledge of the counseling field as it relates to corrections and the legal system, in general. Students completing this program are not eligible for state licensure as Marriage and Family therapists.

This program aims to (1) provide exemplary forensic science education in Criminalistics, including DNA identification analysis, at the graduate level; (2) select students who are in the top third of their undergraduate class and who aspire to become the future forensic scientists in the various forensic science laboratories; and develop in these select students the skill necessary for working in this profession including ethics, integrity, the ability to devise innovative methods and techniques and the capacity to integrate new technology. This comprehensive program incorporates a unique curriculum that balances breadth and depth of study. Through scholarly coursework and high-quality research, the program provides a strong foundation in science, together with an understanding of the logic and workings of the legal system. In depth coursework covers the theoretical underpinnings of the biological and physical sciences as used in the collection, analysis and interpretation of evidence. Advances in molecular biology, microanalytic techniques and microscopy have created new challenges and opportunities in the Forensic Sciences and have increased the demand for well-trained professionals. The University of California, Davis is pleased to offer a comprehensive and unique graduate program—the Master of Science in Forensic Science. The core modules are:

•  Fundamental Concepts of Forensic Science
•  Microscopy and Micro Analytical Methods in Forensic Science
•  Advanced Spectroscopy Methods in Forensic Science
•  Personal Identification Methods in Forensic Science
•  Scientific Evidence and Courtroom Testimony
•  Technical Writing in Forensic Science
•  Forensic Science Analytical Instrumentation
•  Homicide Crime Scene Investigation
•  Research in Forensic Science

The Master of Science in Forensic Science is a research-oriented advanced degree that can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. The program is designed to accommodate the needs of professionals as well as regular graduate students. Most required courses take place in the evenings or late afternoons. It is possible to conduct research projects at campus labs, at your working lab or at an independent facility, whichever is most compatible with your research interests and your schedule. The program can be completed in two years but most students participating on a part-time basis should complete the degree in about three years. In the past few decades, forensic science has evolved rapidly from an applied science using basic analytical tools for fingerprint, blood type and material analysis to a cutting edge discipline employing sophisticated laboratory and computer methods to obtain information from and conclusively identify ownership of evidential material. As these methodologies become more demanding and the credibility of expert testimony is subjected to greater scrutiny, the need for postgraduate training has grown.

The Master of Forensic Sciences (MFS) is a specialized professional degree designed for law enforcement, lab personnel, attorneys, investigators, and other professionals seeking to upgrade their existing skills, as well as individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the forensic sciences, law, law enforcement, private or governmental laboratories, jails and corrections, and the Medical Examiner s Office. The field of forensics focuses on the application of scientific methods to the resolution of legal problems.

The Master of Forensic Sciences degree program offers two areas of specialization. Students are required to take one specialization. The core modules are:

• Forensic Pathology I and II
• Forensic Psychology I and II
• Forensic Photography
• Major Case Investigation
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Criminal Profiling
• Specialization in Criminalistics
•  Specialization in Investigation

For students in the BS in Criminal Justice Administration/MFS transition program, the University will waive the forensic sciences course(s) taken as part of the bachelor’s degree (see BS in Criminal Justice transition program), but these students must still meet the residency requirements for the MFS.

To receive an MFS, students must complete at least 54 quarter units of graduate coursework. A total of 13.5 quarter units of graduate credit may be granted for equivalent graduate work completed at another institution, as it applies to this degree and provided the units were not used in earning another advanced degree. Students should refer to the section on graduate admission requirements for specific information regarding application and evaluation.

Students must have an undergraduate degree in a laboratory science in order to enroll in the MFS with a specialization in criminalistics. The MFS with a specialization in investigation does not have a specific major requirement for the undergraduate degree.

This program aims to (1) provide exemplary forensic science education in Criminalistics, including DNA identification analysis, at the graduate level; (2) select students who have successfully completed an undergraduate science degree with a strong GPA and who aspire to become the future forensic scientists in the various forensic science laboratories; and (3) develop in these select students the skill necessary for working in this profession including ethics, integrity, the ability to devise innovative methods and techniques and the capacity to integrate new technology. This comprehensive program incorporates a unique curriculum that balances breadth and depth of study through scholarly coursework which incorporates the logic and workings of the criminal justice system. In depth coursework covers the theoretical underpinnings of the biological and physical sciences as used in the collection, analysis, interpretation, reporting, and testimony of evidence. The core modules are:

• Fire and arson investigation
• Alcohol impairment
• Accident reconstruction
• Chemistry
• DNA analysis
• Failure analysis
• Firearms and toolmark identification
• Forensic statistics
• Identification of materials
• Impression identification
• Microanalytical methods
• Stable isotope techniques
• Scene investigation
• Toxicology
• Trace analysis

The Master of Science in Forensic Science is a research-oriented advanced degree that can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. The program is designed to accommodate the needs of professionals as well as regular graduate students. Most required courses take place in the evenings or late afternoons. It is possible to conduct research projects at campus labs, at your working lab or at an independent facility, whichever is most compatible with your research interests and your schedule. The program can be completed in two years but most students participating on a part-time basis should complete the degree in about three years.

In the past few decades, forensic science has evolved rapidly from an applied science using basic analytical tools for fingerprint, blood type and material analysis to a cutting edge discipline employing sophisticated laboratory and computer methods to obtain information from and conclusively identify ownership of evidential material. As these methodologies become more demanding and the credibility of expert testimony is subjected to greater scrutiny, the need for postgraduate training has grown. A Master of Science degree is now evolving as the standard of training required for leadership positions in crime laboratories. According to the FBI Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories, “the technical manager or leader of a DNA section or laboratory shall have at minimum a master’s degree in biology, chemistry or a forensic science-related area.” The University of California, Davis Master of Science in Forensic Science represents the only degree in forensic science in the University of California system and the only research oriented Master of Science in the state. It is unique in its emphasis on research and in its collaboration with the California Criminalistics Institute and the Sacramento County Laboratory, both of which ensure graduates will have hands-on experience in the latest analytical technologies and methods in forensic science. These well-qualified graduates will find opportunities in local, state, federal and private crime labs, as well as in consulting, investigation and advanced research. Approximately 80-82 percent of the graduates from the Forensic Science program are working in a forensic science laboratory or in a closely-related scientific field. The remaining graduates have either moved on to Ph.D. programs, have taken positions in other industries, or have chosen not to work because of geographical limitations and/or family obligations.

Criminalistics is an interdisciplinary field, in which the physical and natural sciences are employed to analyze and evaluate physical evidence in a judicial context. The Criminalistics program provides advanced, discipline specific knowledge for those wishing to enter the field of criminalistics. The Master of Science Degree program emphasizes current analytical and scientific methods. A broad understanding of the concepts underlying the forensic sciences is provided through a sequence of required and effective courses.

In addition to University requirements for admission to graduate study, applicants must hold a baccalaureate in one of the natural or physical sciences. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission to the master’s program. The core modules are:

• Quantitative Analysis
• Applications of Forensic Science
• Physical Methods and Pattern Analysis
• Introductory Biology
• General Chemistry I, II and III
• General Microbiology
• Ethical, Managerial and Contemporary Issues in Forensic Science
• Forensic Pathology
• Forensic Microscopy
• Forensic Toxicology

Students are required to take the Forensic Science Assessment Test (FSAT) during the spring quarter of their second year. The FSAT is an on-site examination that is administered by the program director or another faculty member. The test consists of 220 multiple-choice questions of which 200 will be scored. The remaining 20 questions are being piloted for future FSAT examinations. This is not a pass/fail test. A numerical score out of a possible 1200 points will be provided to the student.

The thesis may only be selected after approval from the school graduate committee. The results of the thesis will be presented orally in a public forum for evaluation.