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.
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 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ 201 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ 202 | Introduction to Law Enforcement | 3 |
| CJ 305 | Professional Writing in Criminal Justice (WI) | 3 |
| FI 204 | Introduction to Forensic Investigation | 3 |
| FI 225 | Criminal Courts | 3 |
| FI 227 | Practical Writing for Investigations (WI) | 3 |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
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 310 | Criminalistics | 3 |
| FI 320 | Criminal Investigations | 3 |
| FI 330 | Forensic Documentation | 3 |
| FI 340 | Homicide Investigation | 3 |
| FI 350 | Crime Scene Processing | 3 |
| FI 410 | Imprint/Impression Evidence | 3 |
| FI 480 | Trace Evidence | 3 |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Senior Internship in Criminal Justice | ||
| Senior Seminar I | ||
| Senior Seminar II | ||
| Senior Seminar III | ||
| Total Hours | 24 | |
| 1 | If a course is used to satisfy the Senior Capstone Course requirement, it cannot also be used to satisfy an elective requirement. |
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.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| 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 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| EH Composition sequence | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |
| History Sequence | 3 | |
| FI 204 | Introduction to Forensic Investigation | 3 |
| MS 110 or MS 112 | Finite Mathematics or Precalculus Algebra | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| 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 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 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 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Literature | 3 | |
| FI 225 | Criminal Courts | 3 |
| FI 310 | Criminalistics | 3 |
| FI 320 | Criminal Investigations | 3 |
| FI 340 | Homicide Investigation | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FI 330 | Forensic Documentation | 3 |
| FI 350 | Crime Scene Processing | 3 |
| FI 410 | Imprint/Impression Evidence | 3 |
| Adv. Forensic Investigation minor 300+ elective | 3 | |
| General Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| FI 380 | Medicolegal Death Investigation | 3 |
| FI 450 | Advanced Crime Scene Techniques | 3 |
| Adv. Forensic Investigation Minor 300+ Electives | 6 | |
| General Electives | 2 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| FI 480 | Trace Evidence | 3 |
| Forensic Investigation Senior Capstone Course 2 | 3 | |
| Forensic Investigation Major Field Test 3 | 0 | |
| Adv. Forensic Investigation Minor 300+ Electives | 3 | |
| General Electives | 5 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| 1 | Choosing to declare a 2nd major will require additional classes and hours above the one major and one minor option listed above. |
| 2 | Select one from these Senior Capstone Courses: FI 472 Senior Internship in Criminal Justice (3), FI 497 Senior Seminar I (3), FI 498 Senior Seminar II (3), or FI 499 Senior Seminar III (3). |
| 3 | The Forensic Investigation Major Field Test is to be taken during the Senior Capstone Course. |