Forensic Investigation - Criminal Investigations (Bachelor of Science)

Track One: "Criminal Investigations" is designed for students interested in working in an investigative capacity in the professional field of law enforcement. It provides insights into basic investigative skills, as well as specialized skills in drug, homicide, sex offenses, child abuse, and arson investigations. The main theme for forensic investigation “Track One” however, is crime scene processing, identification and collection of physical evidence, and the presentation of evidence into a court of law.  Forensic Investigation - Criminal Investigation majors must obtain a minor in Advanced Forensic Investigation or Digital Forensic Investigation.

Forensic Investigation Undecided majors must complete the lower division FI Core. Upon completion of the lower division FI Core courses, students will be assessed by their advisor for upper division coursework in the FI major. Students must meet the minimum 2.5 GPA overall and 2.5 GPA in their CJ and FI Core classes. Upon successful assessment, students will major in Forensic Investigation Track One, “Criminal Investigations” or Forensic Investigation Track Two, “Forensic Laboratory/Technician.”  

Forensic Investigation Lower Division Core Courses

Course Title Credits
CJ 101Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CJ 201Criminal Law3
CJ 202Introduction to Law Enforcement3
CJ 305Professional Writing in Criminal Justice (WI)3
FI 204Introduction to Forensic Investigation3
FI 225Criminal Courts3
FI 227Practical Writing for Investigations (WI)3
Total Hours21

Upon completion, students MUST meet with their advisor to determine whether they meet the minimum requirements to be assessed into the appropriate Forensic Investigation track.

Track One (Criminal Investigations)

Course Title Credits
FI 310Criminalistics3
FI 320Criminal Investigations3
FI 330Forensic Documentation3
FI 340Homicide Investigation3
FI 350Crime Scene Processing3
FI 380Medicolegal Death Investigation3
FI 410Imprint/Impression Evidence3
Select one of the following: 13
Senior Internship in Criminal Justice
Senior Seminar I
Senior Seminar II
Senior Seminar III
Total Hours24

Courses credited within the core, track, or concentration will not be credited within another track, concentration, or minor.

In addition to courses noted below, candidates for graduation must successfully complete all JSU Academic Regulations. More information about general education requirements can be found in the Summary of Degrees/Requirements section of the catalog.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
FallHours
EH Composition sequence 3
Fine Arts 3
Natural Science 4
History Sequence 3
CJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3
SSC 101 First Year Experience 0
 Hours16
Spring
EH Composition sequence 3
Natural Science 4
History Sequence 3
FI 204 Introduction to Forensic Investigation 3
MS 110
Finite Mathematics
or Precalculus Algebra
3
 Hours16
Sophomore
Fall
Foreign Language 3
MS 204 Basic Statistics 3
PSC 100 Introduction to American Government 3
CJ 201 Criminal Law 3
CJ 305 Professional Writing in Criminal Justice (WI) 3
 Hours15
Spring
EH 141 Speech 3
PSY 201 Principles of Psychology 3
CS 201 Introduction to Information Technology 3
CJ 202 Introduction to Law Enforcement 3
FI 227 Practical Writing for Investigations (WI) 3
 Hours15
Junior
Fall
Literature 3
FI 225 Criminal Courts 3
FI 310 Criminalistics 3
FI 320 Criminal Investigations 3
FI 340 Homicide Investigation 3
 Hours15
Spring
FI 330 Forensic Documentation 3
FI 350 Crime Scene Processing 3
FI 410 Imprint/Impression Evidence 3
Minor 1, 2 3
General Electives 3
 Hours15
Senior
Fall
Minor 1, 2 12
General Electives 2
 Hours14
Spring
FI 380 Medicolegal Death Investigation 3
Forensic Investigation Senior Capstone Course 3 3
Forensic Investigation Major Field Test 4 0
Minor 1, 2 3
General Electives 5
 Hours14
 Total Hours120