Undergraduate Certificate in Forensics

This course explores criminal behavior, its motivation, and the environmental influences and patterns of offending. Other topics examined are the approaches to profiling and how these investigative techniques are applied to helping solve crimes. The course will address aspects of behavior, taking into consideration the definition of criminal profiling as the inference of offender traits from physical and/or behavioral evidence. Evaluations will be made of the history, theories, and investigative techniques regarding profiling crime offenders, using a unique blend of both social science, as well as psychological & legal research. It includes legal case excerpts to demonstrate the role of the profiler (investigator). This provides the student a solid understanding of the integral relationship between the profiling techniques and theories of criminal behavior and the court system. Further exploration and assessment is discussed beyond traditional investigative procedures with Current topics such as "inductive and deductive profiling", understanding modus operandi, and various other crime specific topics such as serial rape and sadistic behavior. Students will be able to explain how the science and art of profiling crime scenes, and subsequently offenders, from physical and psychological evidence as a key to the investigation of a violent serial crime e.g., sex crime etc., for which there is no known perpetrator. It is recommended students take either CMRJ101 or CMRJ306 prior to enrolling in this course.

This course will examine contemporary practices for analysis and measurement of crime including the use of geographical information systems (GIS) to map various aspects of crime. Modern crime analysis focuses on reducing crime and improving police efficiency by illustrating the impact of crime on the community and community impact on crime through the use of the SARA (scanning, analysis, response, & assessment) problem-solving model. Crime analysis facilitates informed decision making on criminal activity and prevention, thereby being instrumental in helping society learn the linkages between crime and other factors such as poverty or drug abuse. Additionally there is a review of the crime analysis function within the law enforcement organization and a demonstration of how to develop, implement, and operate a crime analysis unit.

Students will be taught the proper recognition, collection and preservation of physical evidence at the crime scene. This course is designed to make the student aware of the services of a crime laboratory and the proper utilization of these services. The course will concentrate on the significance of physical evidence and the examination of this evidence in the crime laboratory. It includes exploration into the different tests and techniques used in the field and within the laboratory regarding the study of potential evidence and its connection in solving a criminal case. This course provides a different concept from other investigative techniques as it is scientifically oriented. Students among several evidence assessments will learn to identify the process of chromatography and determine the usefulness of trace elements for the forensic comparison of various types of physical evidence. Additionally, students will relate the advantages of linking a microscope to a spectrophotometer from the forensic scientist's point of view including an ability to apply the proper techniques utilized in the collection of fiber evidence. It is recommended students take CMRJ306 prior to enrolling in this course. This course is extensively Internet-augmented.

This course will examine contemporary practices for investigating sudden, unexpected and violent death. Two major topics will be explored: the first focusing on the manner of death (the social circumstances under which the death occurs), the second focusing on the cause of death (the particular material actions which result in death).The following types of deaths will be considered: asphyxial, blunt and sharp force, firearms, natural causes, mass disaster, child abuse, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and suicide. Estimating the postmortem interval and identification of human remains will also be considered. It is recommended that students take CMRJ306 before enrolling in this course.

Pre Reqs: Criminal Investigation(CMRJ306)

A study in substantive criminal law emphasizing the principles of criminal liability and the acts, mental state, and attendant circumstances that are necessary ingredients in crimes against persons or property or in offenses involving theft, fraud, drugs, morality and decency, public peace, or public justice.

This course introduces students to the principles of basic chemistry, the terminology, methodology, and world view of chemistry; and the practical application to everyday living. Students will attain knowledge of chemical concepts, the environment and atmosphere, material and energy resources, and environmental pollution (including air, water, and soil). The Chemistry lab is designed for students in the sciences to learn how to make qualitative and quantitative observations about physical and chemical phenomena, to make calculations, and to test out their own reasoning. Students will acquire skills in laboratory techniques and study through interactive simulation laboratories designed to help reinforce and build upon the concepts presented in the lecture portion of the class.

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles associated with the structure and function of the human body. The course will begin with a general introduction to anatomy and physiology, an overview of organic chemistry, and a study of cellular and tissue structure and function and then move on to survey each of the following 11 organ systems of the human body: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive. Online laboratory experiences and exercises are incorporated, which will provide the student with a deeper and practical understanding of the basic principles of human anatomy and physiology by using laboratory simulation software.