Criminal Justice - Latent Evidence Technology - A5518A

This program is one of only a few in the state that provides the knowledge to learn crime solving techniques. This career is expected to grow rapidly. Employment opportunities exist in a variety of local, state, and federal law enforcement and correctional agencies. Examples include: crime scene technicians with county sheriff and police departments and related law enforcement agencies.

How Does The Program Work?

Latent Evidence is a concentration of courses under the Criminal Justice Technology curriculum. This concentration of courses is designed to provide knowledge of latent evidence systems and operations. Study will focus on local, state, and federal law enforcement evidence processing and procedures.

You will learn the theory behind analysis of latent evidence as well as gain hands-on experience. You will learn fingerprint classification, identification, and chemical development. You will record, cast, and recognize footprints and tire tracks. You will learn communication concepts and the use of computers and computer assisted design programs used to process crime scenes.

Career Opportunities in Criminal Justice include:

• Law enforcement- local, state or federal level
• Corrections - local, state, and federal levels
• Industrial and retail security
• Victim/witness advocacy
• Probation/parole

Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, in May 2006, police and sheriff’s patrol officers had median annual earnings of $47,460. Median annual earnings of detectives and criminal investigators were $58,260.

Course Requirements

General Education
COM 231 Public Speaking
ENG 111 Expository Writing
HUM 115 Critical Thinking
MAT 140 Survey of Mathematics
PSY 150 General Psychology

Major Core Courses
CJC 111 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJC 112 Criminology
CJC 113 Juvenile Justice
CJC 131 Criminal Law
CJC 212 Ethics and Community Relations
CJC 221 Investigative Principles
CJC 231 Constitutional Law

Other Major Courses
CJC 114 Investigative Photography
CJC 132 Court Procedure and Evidence
CJC 144 Crime Scene Processing
CJC 145 Crime Scene CAD
CJC 146 Trace Evidence
CJC 214 Victimology
CJC 222 Criminalistics
CJC 245 Friction Ridge Analysis
CJC 246 Adv. Friction Analysis
CJC 251 Forensic Chemistry

Other Required Courses
ACA 115 Success and Study Skills

Total Semester Hour Credits for AAS Degree 67