The Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) certificate is a 21-credit-hour Criminal Justice academic certificate that focuses on understanding the statutes, procedures, and policies associated with criminal investigations within the United States. This certificate is for those interested in CSI or currently working in law enforcement or a similar setting. CSI certificate graduates will have the basic knowledge needed to work within an investigative environment.
This certificate is the industry standard in higher education for personnel desiring to work in the capacity of a CSI. The certificate will enhance the student’s ability to work in the field of CSI. In addition to completing our program, students must obtain further certification from their respective state authorities to meet the required standards. For example, in Oklahoma, students interested in CSI must complete an 80-hour course mandated by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET), which is necessary for certification by individual police departments. CSI certification programs at the undergraduate level may not require a prior degree or education.
Courses
CRJS 3103
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Examine the major components of the Criminal Justice system – law enforcement, courts, and corrections – including historical and social perspectives, the roles and functions of various agencies, and the processes involved in administering justice.
CRJS 3503
Criminal Law I
Emphasizes the provisions of the Constitution, which directly relate to the powers of both federal and state law enforcement officers and prosecutors, and limitations on these officers. Decisions and constitutional issues relevant to the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments are stressed.
CRJS 3513
Criminal Law II
An examination of the nature of the criminal acts of substantive criminal law, including defining the necessary elements and punishments of each act.
CRJS 3703
Criminal Procedure
Students would study the entire criminal justice process, from police investigation to postconviction
appellate review of convictions.
CRJS 4103
Identification, Collection, and Preservation of Evidence
This course exposes students to crime scene evidence, collection techniques, protection of the scene, interview skills, and the various uses of modern technology in preserving and analyzing evidence. An analysis of the rules of evidence with an emphasis on the conceptual and definitional issues of admissibility, relevancy, materiality, weight, burden of proof, presumptions, types of evidence, judicial notice, evidentiary privileges, best evidence, opinion evidence, and hearsay evidence and its exceptions.
CRJS 4113
Principles of Investigation
The course is intended to develop a general understanding of the science of inquiry and provide a presentation of techniques, skills, and limitations of modern criminal investigation. Consideration includes all aspects of criminal investigation as a system of thought and action. The discussion is centered on methods applied in detecting, examining, and interpreting factual and legal dimensions of criminal cases. The course also examines concepts and methods of investigation of specific forms of crime (homicide, rape, robbery, etc.…).
CRJS 4513
Interview and Interrogation Techniques
This course is designed to familiarize students with basic communication concepts and basic concepts, processes, techniques, and legal aspects of interview and interrogation used in the criminal justice field. In addition, the course would address the differences and similarities between interview and interrogation; different types, uses, and processes of interviews; various forms of verbal and nonverbal communication; and specialized types of interviews, such as probing, selection,
counseling, and persuasive.