This course provides the student with a fundamental understanding of forensic science and technology, psychological profiling, and the application of scientific methodologies to the investigative process.

Overview of Forensic Science

• Examine the history and evolution of forensic science
• Identify and articulate the purposes and applications of forensic science
• Discuss the functions and operational profiles of major crime laboratories
• Evaluate the education, training, and experience required for forensic scientists and technicians
• Assess the cost and benefits of the utilization of forensic science and technology for large and small government agencies and private security organizations
• Review the procedures for gathering and maintaining custody of various kinds of evidence
• Identify the various branches and scientific disciplines related to forensic science
• Discuss the role of a supervisor in coordinating the various elements of an investigation that involves the application of forensic science

Principles of Scientific Methodology

• Review and evaluate the objectives of natural science and social science
• Discuss the critical thinking process and how to develop and enhance the skill sets involved in application of critical thinking to scientific problems
• Contrast the differences between casual, technical, and scientific observation and discuss their relevance in the investigative process
• Define the concepts of empirical evidence, hearsay evidence, testimonial evidence, and circumstantial evidence
• Compare and contrast the value of each of the preceding concepts with respect to judicial proceedings
• Evaluate the concepts of empiricism, rationalism, and skepticism
• Learn and discuss the purposes for identifying significant problems, gathering relevant information, developing a hypothesis, testing a hypothesis, objectively evaluating test results, and drawing meaningful conclusions
• Review the various applications of scientific methodology to criminal investigations and prosecutions

Policies and Procedures for Forensic Science and Technology

• Review the process of developing, implementing, and enforcing policies and procedures in technical areas of operation
• Evaluate the general policies and procedures associated with forensic science
• Determine the value of written policies regarding the gathering, analysis, storage, and court presentation of evidence
• Assess the importance of following prescribed procedures when conducting scientific analysis of evidence and the associated documentation
• Discuss what can go wrong and the consequences of not following prescribed policies and procedures
• Review and evaluate the functions of various crime laboratory instruments, the calibration process, and certification requirements for technicians who operate laboratory instruments

Psychological Profiling

• Review the history and development of psychological profiling and the role of behavioral science methods in forensic science and investigative activities
• Identify the purposes and methodologies of the various models of psychological profiling
• Understand the basic applications of psychology, sociology, criminalistics, and forensic pathology to the practice of psychological profiling
• Discuss the concept of Modus Operandi and its relationship to psychological profiling
• Examine the operations of the FBI Behavioral Science Unit
• Review and explore actual cases and evaluate the value of psychological profiling
• Identify and articulate the issues related to psychological profiling and the presentation of evidence at trial
• Explore the educational, training, and experience requirements required for a psychological profiler

Science, Technology, and the Courts

• Explore the role and requirements of an expert witness
• Identify and articulate court rules regarding the gathering of evidence, scientific analysis, and expert testimony
• Recognize the value of forensic science and the presentation of evidence by defense lawyers
• Identify the areas of forensic science and psychological profiling that may be vulnerable to challenge in judicial proceedings
• Identify and evaluate Supreme Court decisions regarding forensic science and psychological profiling

Case Studies

• Analyze specific criminal cases in terms of the application of science and technology and determine the value they had or could have had regarding the investigations and prosecutions
• Charles Manson and the Tate-LaBianca murders
• The John Wayne Gacy murders
• Wayne Williams and the Atlanta murders
• The Jeffrey Dahmer case
• The Green River Killer

Psychology / Criminal Justice - Bachelor of Science
Through the Criminal Justice concentration, explore cognitive, behavioral, and psychological theories of criminal behavior from the serial killer to the terrorist. Discover and analyze types of victimization and how to work with victims of crime as you prepare for or grow your career in the fields of criminal justice, social service, or law enforcement.

CJ / Crime and Criminals - Bachelor of Science
The B.S. in Criminal Justice - Crime and Criminals program is designed to help you gain the skills and knowledge to prepare for a career in law enforcement, the justice system, corrections, homeland security, and social services. The program blends contemporary theory on the nature, extent, and cause of crime with the study of national and international criminal justice practices. Learning is supported through coursework and a final capstone project. Plus, the program uses the latest interactive media, including lifelike, computer-generated scenarios from crime scenes. Our curriculum is based on the recommendations of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. The program can help prepare you to become a more effective social change agent in criminal justice organizations at the local, state, federal, or international levels.

In this concentration, you will study criminal theories and behavior, and you will discover the proper way to conduct a criminal investigation. Areas of study include: assessing a crime scene, handling witnesses/suspects/informants, and administering surveillance techniques.

Criminal Behavior - Bachelor of Arts
This degree program combines courses in criminal justice and behavioral science to prepare you for success in a variety of professional settings in the areas of crime prevention, the administration of justice, or rehabilitation. You'll learn about public policy and the causes, enforcement, and prevention of crime in today's society.

Criminal Justice / Psychology - Applied Associate of Science
One way to help prevent crime is to understand why crimes are committed. You will delve into courses that teach you about the psychological reasoning behind premeditated acts. Your understanding of psychology and how it relates to criminal justice will help prepare you for a career where you can change the lives of many people.

Your courses will prepare you to better understand criminal and deviant psychology. Criminal minds can be complicated and your degree will help you understand what drives these individuals to commit crimes. Your courses will be led by instructors with vast knowledge of the subject matter and real world experiences.

A specialization in Psychology will help you focus on the internal factors of why crimes are committed. Your study of psychology as it relates to criminal justice will allow you to look at the justice system from a different perspective. Your ability to apply what you learned will help you understand the criminal thought process.

Criminal Justice / Criminal Offenders - Bachelor of Science
Rasmussen College's Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Criminal Offenders program will prepare you to distinguish between genuine and simulated mental illness. You can help prosecutors put deserving criminals behind bars. As a criminal defense consultant, you can aid in the jury selection process, offer detailed testimony as a witness for the defense, interview criminal suspects to determine their competency to stand trial, or as an expert witness, give sworn testimony regarding a criminal's state-of-mind at the time of his or her offense.

Once you have completed our online criminal offenders program, you will have acquired the knowledge of offender supervision, case management, psychological evaluations, drug/alcohol counseling, addictions education, job readiness training, social skills training, crime prevention program and more. This degree requires 180 credits to complete.