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  5. Crime Scene Investigation Technology, AAS (CS33)

Crime Scene Investigation Technology, AAS (CS33) (430107)  Degree

Campus Locations: Thomasville

The Crime Scene Investigation Technology Associate of Applied Science degree program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for work in the forensic laboratories of the modern criminal justice system. Learning opportunities develop academic, occupational, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes a combination of Criminal Justice and Forensic Laboratory theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. Program graduates receive a Crime Scene Investigation Technology associate of applied science degree. Graduates who are current practitioners will benefit through enhancement of career potential. Entry-level persons will be prepared to pursue diverse opportunities in the laboratory facilities attached to any modern investigative facility, civil or private.

Length of Program: Five (5) Semesters

Entrance Dates: Beginning of every semester.

Entrance Requirements: Refer to Admissions criteria. Click for Entrance Scores.

Age: Applicant must be 18 years of age or older.

Education: An applicant must be a high school graduate or the equivalent (GED). College transcripts will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Advisor: A Program Advisor should be consulted prior to enrolling in any course. An advisor will be assigned by admissions.

Note: Students who intend to work with a civil investigative facility should understand that according to the Georgia Peace Officer and Standards Training (P.O.S.T.) Council, each applicant "shall not have been convicted by any state or by the federal government of any crime the punishment for which could have been imprisonment in the federal or state prison or institution nor have been convicted of sufficient misdemeanors to establish a pattern of disregard for the law, provided that, for purposes of this paragraph, violations of traffic laws and other offenses involving the operation of motor vehicles when the applicant has received a pardon shall not be considered." This means that the Council will require a thorough Criminal and Traffic History be completed to include but not limited to: a Certified Driver’s History, a Georgia Crime Information Center, and a National Crime Information Center printout.

The P.O.S.T. Council also has other requirements for certification. See program advisor for this additional information.

Additional Requirements: A Criminal background check and drug toxicology may be required for Internship/Externship and/or Employer. Results will affect employment options and will need to be discussed with advisor.

Program Final Exit Point: Crime Scene Investigation Technology, Associate of Applied Science.

Credits Required for Graduation: 69 minimum semester hour credits required for graduation.

Students with Basic Peace Officer certification and/or Basic Correctional Officer certification may be eligible for prior learning credits, This will be addressed on an individual basis if requested by the student. Refer to the Advanced Placement Credit section of the Handbook.

Cost
Books: $845.00
Fees: $301.00
Tuition: $1,600.00
Total: $2,746.00
Books: $671.85
Fees: $301.00
Tuition: $1,400.00
Total: $2,372.85
Books: $550.20
Fees: $301.00
Tuition: $1,100.00
Total: $1,951.20
Books: $640.70
Fees: $301.00
Tuition: $1,300.00
Total: $2,241.70
Books: $643.20
Fees: $301.00
Tuition: $1,300.00
Total: $2,244.20
Curriculum Outline (69 hours)
1: General Core Courses 15
Area I: Language Arts/Communications (3 Hours) 3
ENGL 1101

Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.

3
One Mathematics Course
Area II: Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 hours) 3
Area III: Natural Sciences/Mathematics (3 hours) 3
Area IV: Humanities/Fine Arts (3 hours) 3
And one additional course from Area I, II, III, or IV (as approved by program advisor) 3
2: Institutional Course (3 hours) 3
COLL 1500

This course is designed to provide tools to assist students to acquire skills necessary to achieve academic and professional success in their chosen occupational/ technical program of study. Topics include: Getting off to a Good Start, Learning and Personality Styles, Time and Money Management, Study and Test Taking Skills, Stress Management and Wellness, Communications Skills, Career Exploration, Research Skills, College Campus Knowledge, Memory & Reading Skills, Presentation & Interview Skills, and Group Skills. Effective Fall 2016, students who already have an Associate Degree or higher will be given exemption credit for the COLL 1500 course.

3
3: Occupational Courses (24Hours) 24
COMP 1000

Introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include an introduction to computer and digital terminology, and usage, operating systems, Internet and digital communication, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, and presentation applications.

3
CRJU 1010

Pre-requisite(s): Provisional Admission Introduces the development and organization of the criminal justice system in the United States. Topics include: the American criminal justice system; constitutional limitations; organization of enforcement, adjudication, and corrections; and career opportunities and requirements.

3
CRJU 1040

Pre-requisites: Program Admission This course examines the principles of the organization, administration, and duties of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Topics include: history and philosophy of law enforcement, evaluation of administrative practices, problems in American law enforcement agencies, emerging concepts, professionalism, and community crime prevention programs.

3
CRJU 1062

Pre-requisites: Program Admission This course presents the fundamentals of criminal investigation. The duties and responsibilities of the investigator both in field and in the courtroom are highlighted. Emphasis is placed on techniques commonly utilized by investigative personnel as well as the procedures used for investigating various crimes.

3
CRJU 1063

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission This course presents students with practical exercises dealing with investigating crime scenes and gathering various forms of physical evidence. Emphasis is placed on crime scene assessment, search, fingerprinting, and evidence collection. Topics include: crime scene management, evidence characteristics, identification, documentation and collection as well as techniques for developing and lifting latent fingerprints.

3
CRJU 1072

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission The origin, history and role of forensic science in the investigative process. Philosophical, rational and practical framework that supports a case investigation will be outlined. The unifying principles of forensic science, the rooting of forensic science in the pure sciences, and the unique ways in which a forensic scientist must think will also be discussed. The special areas of forensic science will be explored.

3
CRJU 1400

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission This course provides an exploration ethics and cultural perspectives in criminal justice. In presenting ethics, both the individual perspective and the organizational standpoint will be examined. Four areas of ethical decision making opportunities are studied including: law enforcement ethics; correctional ethics; legal profession ethics; and policymaking ethics. The presentation of cultural perspectives is designed to aid law enforcement officers to better understand and communicate with members of other cultures with whom they come in contact in the line of duty. Topics include: defining and applying terms related to intercultural attitudes, role-play activities related to intercultural understanding, developing interpersonal/intercultural communication competence, and development of personal intercultural growth plan.

3
CRJU 2050

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Introduces the procedural law of the criminal justice system which governs the series of proceedings through which government enforces substantive criminal law. The course offers an emphasis on the laws of arrest and search and seizure; the rules of evidence, right to counsel, and the rights and duties of both citizens and officers. The course covers in depth appropriate Case Law and court rulings that dictate criminal procedure on the State and Federal Level.

3
4: Specialization Tracks - Select One (27 Credits) 27
Laboratory Forensics (27 Hours) 27
BIOL 2113

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): BIOL 2113L, ENGL 1101 Introduces the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Emphasis is placed on the development of a systemic perspective of anatomical structures and physiological processes. Topics include body organization, cell structure and functions, tissue classifications, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous and sensory systems.

3
BIOL 2113L

Co-requisite(s): BIOL 2113: ENGL 1101 Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2113. The laboratory exercises for this course include body organization, cell structure and functions, tissue classifications, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous sensory systems.

1
BIOL 2114

Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L Co-Requisite(s): BIOL 2114L Continues the study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Topics include the endocrine system, cardiovascular system, blood and lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

3
BIOL 2114L

Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 2113 and BIOL 2113L Co-Requisite(s): BIOL 2114 Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2114. The laboratory exercises for this course include the endocrine system, cardiovascular system, blood and lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

1
CHEM 1151

Pre/Co-requisite(s): Degree Level Mathematics Course, CHEM 1151L Provides an introduction to basic chemical principles and concepts which explain the behavior of matter. Topics include measurements and units, structure of matter, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, gas laws, liquid mixtures, acids and bases, salts and buffers, and nuclear chemistry.

3
CHEM 1151L

Pre/Co-requisite(s): Degree Level Mathematics Course, CHEM 1151 Selected laboratory experiments paralleling the topics in CHEM 1151. The lab exercises for this course include units of measurements, structure of matter, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, gas laws, liquid mixtures, acids and bases, salts and buffers, and nuclear chemistry.

1
MLBT 1030

Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L, CLBT 1010 Provides theory and techniques required to conduct tests on urine and various body fluids. Theory and tests are related to disease states and diagnosis. Topics include: fundamental theory of urinalysis; basic urinalysis tests; correlation of urinalysis to disease states; related lab math; body fluid tests; special urinalysis and related testing; and safety and quality control.

2
MLBT 1050

Pre/Co-requisite(s): CLBT 1010 Introduces the fundamental theory and techniques applicable to serology and immunology practice in the medical laboratory. Topics include: immune system, antigen and antibody reactions, immunological diseases, related lab math, common serological techniques, safety and quality control, and process improvement.

3
MLBT 1060

Pre-requisite(s): CLBT 1050 Provides an in-depth study of immunohematology principles and practices as applicable to medical laboratory technology. Topics include: genetic theory and clinical applications, immunology, donor unit collection, related lab math, pre-transfusion testing, management of disease states and transfusion reactions, safety and quality control, and process improvement.

4
MLBT 1070

Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L, BIOL 2114, BIOL 2114L, (CHEM 1211 & CHEM 1211L) OR (CHEM 1151 & CHEM 1151L), Pre/Co-requisite(s): CLBT 1010, (CHEM 1212 & CHEM 1212L) OR (CHEM 1151 & CHEM 1151L), Develops concepts and techniques of clinical chemistry applicable to medical laboratory technology. Topics include: carbohydrates, electrolytes and acid-base balance, nitrogenous compounds, related lab math, enzymes and endocrinology, liver functions, lipids, toxicology and therapeutic drug monitoring, safety and quality control, correlation of disease states, process improvement (team approach), and critical thinking skills.

4
Computer Forensics (27 Hours) (Choose CIST 2630 or 2612 as part of the required 27 hours) 21
Social/Behavioral Science Elective 0000Social/Behavioral Sciences 3
CIST 1001

Provides an overview of information systems, computers and technology. Topics include: Information Systems and Technology Terminology, Computer History, Data Representation, Data Storage Concepts, Fundamentals of Information Processing, Fundamentals of Information Security, Information Technology Ethics, Fundamentals of Hardware Operation, Fundamentals of Networking, Fundamentals of the Internet, Fundamentals of Software Design Concepts, Fundamentals of Software, (System and Application), System Development Methodology, Computer Number Systems conversion (Binary and Hexadecimal), Mobile computing.

4
CIST 1122

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission This course serves to provide students with the knowledge of the fundamentals of computer technology, networking, and security along with the skills required to identify hardware, peripheral, networking, and security components with an introduction to the fundamentals of installing and maintaining computers. Students will develop the skills to identify the basic functionality of the operating system, perform basic troubleshooting techniques, utilize proper safety procedures, and effectively interact with customers and peers. This course is designed to help prepare students for the CompTIA A+ certification examination.

4
CIST 1401

Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Introduces networking technologies and prepares students to take the CompTIA's broad-based, vendor independent networking certification exam, Network +. This course covers a wide range of material about networking, including local area networks, wide area networks, protocols, topologies, transmission media, and security. Focuses on operating network management systems, and implementing the installation of networks. It reviews cabling, connection schemes, the fundamentals of the LAN and WAN technologies, TCP/IP configuration and troubleshooting, remote connectivity, and network maintenance and troubleshooting. Topics include: basic knowledge of networking technology, network media and topologies, network devices, network management, network tools and network security.

4
CIST 1601

This course provides a broad overview of information security. It covers terminology, history, security systems development and implementation. Student will also cover the legal, ethical, and professional issues in information security.

3
CIST 1602

This course provides knowledge and experience to develop and maintain security policies and procedures. Students will explore the legal and ethical issues in information security and the various security layers: physical security, personnel security, operating systems, network, software, communication and database security. Students will develop an Information Security Policy and an Acceptable Use Policy.

3
Operating System Elective (choose one of the following): 3
CIST 2431

Pre-requisites: Program Admission Introduces the UNIX/Linux operating system skills necessary to perform entry-level user functions. Topics include: history of UNIX/Linux, login and logout, the user environment, user password change, the file system, hierarchy tree, editors, file system commands as they relate to navigating the file system tree, UNIX/Linux manual help pages, using the UNIX/Linux graphical desktop, and command options. In addition, the student must be able to perform directory and file displaying, creation, deletion, redirection, copying, moving, linking files, wildcards, determining present working directory and changing directory locations.

4
CIST 1130

Provides an overview of modern operating systems and their use in home and small business environments. Activities will utilize the graphical user interface (GUI) and command line environment (CLI). This will include operating system fundamentals; installing, configuring, and upgrading operating systems; managing storage, file systems, hardware and system resources; troubleshooting, diagnostics, and maintenance of operating systems; and networking.

3
Choose one of the following: 3
CIST 2630

Pre-requisite(s): CIST 1122, CIST 1130, CIST 1180 or Advisor Approval Provides a study of computer forensic techniques that will teach the techniques needed to harvest, identify, and analyze data while maintaining the legal and ethical standards needed to produce evidence that is admissible in court. Topics include: Computer Forensics, Ethical practices, Sterile Media, Computer Forensic Tools, Evidence Collection, Evidence Analysis, and Documentation.

3
CIST 2612

Pre-requisite(s): CIST 1122 and CIST 1601 This course examines the use of computers in the commission of crimes, collection, analysis and production of digital evidence. Students will use computer resources to explore basic computer forensic investigation techniques.

4
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