Post Bachelor Forensic Investigation Certificate

Post Bachelor Forensic Investigation Certificate

The Forensics Investigation certificate program is a combination of coursework at WSU and affiliated medicolegal internship sites.. The following courses are required for completion of the certificate:

• CRJ 3260 Investigation (3 credits) offered at WSU various terms, at least once a year. This course provides an overview of the criminal justice system, laws affecting admissibility of evidence scene investigation and documentation.
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• CRJ 5150 Criminalistics (4 credits) Application of the physical and biological sciences to criminal investigation; ballistics, fingerprints, DNA, trace evidence, drugs, arson and explosives, questioned documents, introduction to forensic anthropology, courtroom testimony, ethics.
  
• MS 5011 Forensic: Firearms, Ballistics, and Explosives (4 credits) offered at WSU in the Winter semester. This course focuses on the collection of fibers/threads, glass, plastics, paints, flammable liquids and other trace materials: firearms evidence, method analysis and documentation including special photographic evidence.
  
• MS 4200 Introduction to Forensic Anatomic Pathology (3 credits) offered at WSU in the Spring/Summer semester. This course is an overview of systemic anatomy with special emphasis on the skeleton and changes to body tissues with death and manner of death. Methods of study and their limitations: pre- and post-mortem artifacts.
  
• MS 4010 Basic Forensic Analysis (3 credits) offered at WSU in the Fall semester. The focus is collection guidelines for blood, sputum, semen and other biological fluids; protocols for bite marks and fingerprints. Various methods of analysis and documentation are covered.
  
• MS 5010 Advanced Forensic Analysis (2 credits) offered at WSU in the Winter semester. New developments in the laboratory; current areas of research and projections for the future.
  
• MS 4011 Interview and Interrogation offered at WSU in the Fall semester. This course is designed to provide a knowledge base of general issues regarding effective techniques for interviewing witnesses and interrogating defendants. In addition to the methods of achieving a successful outcome, legal issues involving the rights of society and of the interviewee/defendant will be discussed.

Students may elect their remaining hours (a minimum of six credit hours) from the following:

• MS 5550 Special Topics: The Expert Witness (1 credit) offered at WSU in the Fall semester. Overview of qualifications of an expert witness; referral sources and ethical considerations. Interfacing with the legal system: pre-trial, the courtroom and giving testimony.
  
• MS 5900 Directed Study (3 credits) offered at WSU in the Fall and Spring/Summer semesters.
  
• MS 4600 Clinical Forensic Pathology Internship (3 credits) offered at WSU every semester in conjunction with affiliate sites. (Must have program permission and coordinate with your plan of work outline.)
  
• MS 5550 Special Topics (1 credit) offered at WSU in the Winter semester. The advanced seminar focuses on case studies and discussions of current developments in forensic investigation.
  
• MS 5550 Special Topics (1 credit) offered at WSU in the Spring/Summer semester. Loss, grief and stress. Loss and the stage of grief; response to stress/trauma in survivors. Stress reduction for the professional.