Criminalistics (MSC

Criminalistics

Program Director: Ted Yeshion, Ph.D.

INTRODUCTION

The primary goal of the Master of Science in Criminalistics is to provide students with a theoretical foundation, while focusing on criminal investigative techniques and practical application. With hands-on experience, students will be able to apply terms, skills and techniques utilized in the field of Criminal Justice. There are currently 1.5 million full-time law enforcement officers in the United States. With the increased professionalization of the Criminal Justice field, many state and local police departments are beginning to require bachelor degrees, with graduate degrees being crucial to promotion. Furthermore, to be competitive, federal agents are increasingly in need of a graduate degree. Popular career paths include local and state police departments in addition to federal agencies such as FBI, DEA, and ATF.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the completion of this 36-credit program students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific principles of crime scene investigation and reconstruction, including evidence collection and preservation. 2. Demonstrate the capabilities, use, potential and limitations of forensic laboratory theory and techniques with respect to the analysis of evidence. 3. Utilize ethical principles and an understanding of legal precedents to make decisions related to investigative techniques, analysis of evidence, and courtroom testimony. 4. Demonstrate problem-solving skills and synthesize forensic, evidential, and investigatory information from multiple sources to generate theories about crime. 5. Conduct interviews and interrogations, develop and execute investigative plans, follow up investigative leads, document their findings, and testify to the interpretation of evidentiary findings in a courtroom setting. 6. Integrate knowledge and skills through an applied capstone experience.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants interested in the Master of Science in Criminalistics must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The undergraduate degree does not have to be in criminal justice, but applicants are required to demonstrate a basic understanding and awareness of the criminal justice system. • Submit graduate application • Submit final, official, transcripts from all colleges/universities attended • Submit three letters of recommendation • Submit an updated resume • Undergraduate degree (or expected completion of the undergraduate degree prior to enrollment) preferably in criminal justice, natural science, computer science or related field. • Successful completion of undergraduate-level coursework in the following courses, achieving a minimum grade of “C” in each:

Introduction to Criminal Justice, Investigative Concepts, Natural

Science course • Minimum 2.75 overall GPA, 3.00 in prerequisite courses • Act 33/34 and FBI background check clearance is needed for full acceptance • A personal interview may be required. The student will be contacted to schedule an interview. • All application materials must be submitted to the Graduate

Admissions Office no later than August 1 (for Fall admission),

November 1 (for Spring admission), or May 1 (for Summer

Admission). • The graduate assistantship deadline is March 15.

CURRICULUM

Students can begin the program in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters. Flexible scheduling options are available.

Fall Course Offerings

GCRIM 501: Crime Scene Techniques GCRIM 601: Criminalistics GCRIM 509: Crime Mapping and Analysis GCRIM 507: Criminal Law of Evidence

Spring Course Offerings

GCRIM 621: Physical and Pattern Evidence GCRIM 508: Courtroom Procedures GCRIM 611: Digital Evidence GCRIM 631: Applied Criminalistics

Summer Course Offerings

GCRIM 622: Medicolegal Investigation GCRIM 612: Interviewing and Dispute Resolution GCRIM 602: Psychology and the Law GCRIM 641: Forensic Investigation Practicum

ASSISTANTSHIPS

Graduate Assistantships are available for full-time and part-time students. Potential responsibilities of Graduate Assistants include: • Assisting experienced faculty members with research • Assisting faculty members with teaching responsibilities • Helping to manage the Forensic Investigation Center • Assisting with various programmatic duties

4+1 MS CRIMINALISTICS DEGREE PROGRAM

The 4+1 MS degree program is designed to allow outstanding undergraduate students the opportunity to earn both an undergraduate degree in various disciplines and a Master’s Degree in Criminalistics within a five year period. Students from any major may apply and should do so in their junior year. Working with both the undergraduate advisor and Criminalistics Program Director, the student will customize a schedule in which they will take graduate courses during their senior year. Students are able to complete up to 12 credits of graduate coursework as an undergraduate student. Students who successfully complete these courses may apply to continue into the MS in Criminalistics to complete the remaining credits. Applicants to the program must have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Retention in the program requires that the student maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA for their undergraduate studies.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GCRIM 501 Crime Scene Techniques

3 credits This is a course in the study of crime scene investigation. This course offers a comprehensive and engaging examination of criminal investigation and the vital role that criminal evidence plays in the process. This course focuses on the five critical areas essential to understanding criminal investigations: background and contextual issues, criminal evidence, legal procedures, evidence collection procedures, and forensic science. This course includes a multitude of case examples to illustrate key points and as a basis for discussion about the proper conduct of criminal investigations and goes beyond a simple how-to in investigative procedures, drawing from fascinating modern research and its importance in the real world of criminal justice.

GCRIM 507 Criminal Law of Evidence

3 credits Criminal Law provides students with an integrated framework for understanding the U.S. criminal justice system with a diverse and inclusive interdisciplinary approach and thematic focus. This course looks at the law and decisions in court cases and considers and integrates issues of race, gender, and socio-economic status with their discussion of criminal law. Material from the social sciences is incorporated to highlight the intersection between criminal law and key social issues. Case excerpts and detailed case summaries used to highlight important principles of criminal law are featured throughout the course. The coverage is conceptual and practical, showing students how the criminal law applies in a “real world” environment.

GCRIM 508 Courtroom Procedures

3 credits In this course, you will review ways in which the law, particularly the law of evidence, affects the work of law enforcement professionals. This course outlines the various roles of courtroom participants, paying particular attention to preparing individuals to become expert witnesses in the courtroom. This course works through the legal process up through trial, including appeals and motions for a new trial. Important legal doctrines such as chain of custody, work product privileges, laying the proper foundation, exhibits, and the standards necessary to obtain a new trial are also studied. This course will cover the various roles in the courtroom, trial preparation, preparing witnesses, and pointing out the differences between grand juries and trials.

GCRIM 509 Crime Mapping and Analysis

3 credits This course will provide students with the knowledge and use of GIS (Geographic Information System) in crime prevention and crime analysis. Students will learn through crime mapping exercises the various uses of GIS in a criminal investigation, prosecution, and correctional management. Students will develop crime-mapping projects using online data and will learn skills to make and analyze maps.

GCRIM 601 Criminalistics

3 credits In this course, you will learn many of the cardinal theories and techniques of forensic science, criminalistics and laboratory analysis. The necessity of a rigorous scientific approach will be stressed. The course is designed to acquaint the student with a comprehensive understanding of today’s crime laboratories and investigative techniques involving the proper collection, preservation, and analysis of evidence. The student will be introduced to scientific, technological, and experientially-based procedures as they are applied in the criminal justice system.

GCRIM 602 Psychology and Law

3 credits This course offers a definitive perspective on the practical application of psychological research to the law. Insight is offered into the application of psychology in criminal and non-criminal matters. Topics such as family law, insanity, police interrogation, jury selection and decision making, involuntary civil commitment, and various civil capacities are included. The course emphasizes the major contributions psychological research has made to the law and encourages critical analysis through examples of court cases, high-profile current events, and research leadership and the organizational improvement process.

GCRIM 611 Digital Evidence

3 credits Computer and communication technologies have become key components to support critical infrastructure services in various sectors of our society. In an effort to share information and streamline operations, organizations are creating complex network systems and opening their networks to customers, suppliers, and other business partners. Increasing network complexity, greater access, and a growing emphasis on the Internet have made information and network security a major concern for organizations. This course focuses on computer and cyber forensics. Students will learn different aspects of computer and cybercrime and ways in which to uncover, protect, exploit, and document digital evidence. Students will be exposed to different types of tools (both software and hardware), techniques and procedure, and will be able to use them to perform rudimentary forensic investigations.

GCRIM 612 Interviewing and Dispute Resolution

3 credits This course is working through the legal and practical aspects of interviewing and interrogation. The course offers perspectives from hands-on to legal considerations as well as ethics. Interrogation and interviewing are the cornerstones of any investigation and can make or break a case in court. It is imperative that one recognizes the legalities involved in the ethics of appropriate conduct and the proven methods and procedures for successful interviewing and interrogation. This course will utilize technologies such as Skype and Adobe Connect to allow students to practice interviewingtechniques.

GCRIM 621 Physical and Pattern Evidence: Investigative Methods

3 credits In this course, you will learn various techniques utilized in data collection, information assessment, theory development, and evidence application as it relates to criminal investigations. The types of data associated with the three primary crime motivations will be studied with student recognition of data and the appropriate application of the information properly placed in relation to the identified motive. The course is designed to acquaint the student with a process involving investigative methodology and a comprehensive understanding of the most utilized investigative techniques in pursuit of the necessary evidence to successfully investigate and perfect today’s most serious crimes. The student will be introduced to scientific, technological, and experientially-based procedures as they are applied in the criminal justice system.

GCRIM 622 Medicolegal Investigation

3 credits This course provides an intensive look at medical and legal investigations. Topics include the difference between the medical (pathological) and legal (criminal) components of investigations into the manners and causes of death, medical and investigative terminology, the differences between a coroner and a medical examiner, and the impact of ethics on prosecutions and convictions. Case studies illustrate practical applications of various forms of forensic styles and parameters.

GCRIM 631 Applied Criminalistics

3 credits This course complements prior courses by giving the student opportunities to investigate concepts and techniques learned during lectures previous instruction. The course focuses on the theories and practical applications regarding the identification and individualization of biological and physical evidence and uses a kit of multiple forensic experiments that students will do at home as part of their assessments.

GCRIM 641 Forensic Investigation Practicum

3 credits This course examines the various forensic investigatory topics treated during the Criminalistics program, together with the expansion of a few topics not examined in detail during the program. The use of scientific methodology and ethical practices form the framework for intellectually examining the totality of a crime scene investigation. During the residency, mock crime scenes will be conducted to assess the knowledge, skills and abilities of students. Scenes may be indoor and/or outdoor. In addition, the forensic lab will be utilized to practice forensic techniques such as fingerprinting, blood detection, blood spatter, and casting impressions with dental stone.