This interdisciplinary course provides a comprehensive overview of the criminal justice system and the critical role of forensic science within it. Students will explore the intersection of law enforcement, legal processes, and scientific investigation techniques. Topics covered include:

Foundations of Criminal Justice:

•  Understanding the structure and functions of law enforcement agencies, courts, and corrections.
•  Legal principles, constitutional rights, and due process.

Crime Scene Investigation (CSI):

•  Techniques for securing, documenting, and analyzing crime scenes.
•  Collection and preservation of physical evidence.
•  Chain of custody and forensic protocols.

Forensic Science:

•  Introduction to various forensic disciplines (e.g., DNA analysis,             toxicology, ballistics, fingerprinting).
•  Role of forensic experts in criminal investigations.
•  Real-world case studies illustrate the impact of forensic evidence on solving crimes.

Ethical and Legal Considerations:

•  Balancing justice, privacy, and individual rights.
•  Ethical dilemmas faced by professionals in the field.

Mock Trial:

•  Simulated courtroom scenario where students play roles as attorneys, witnesses, and jurors.
•  Crafting legal arguments, cross-examining witnesses, and presenting evidence.

By the end of this course, students will have a solid foundation in both criminal justice and forensic science, enabling them to critically analyze criminal cases and contribute to the pursuit of justice.

Coursestorm Online Enrollment is Free. Course Fee: $520. A $50 non-refundable course enrollment deposit will be billed immediately upon registration and applies toward your overall tuition.  The balance must be paid by July 1, or select a payment plan of $235 payable by July 1 and November 1. 

Lab Fee: $20/yr, payable July 1

Accepted Payment Methods: Check, Cash, CashApp, Venmo, and PayPal OR  select the monthly payment fee schedule option.

Recommended Credits: 1.0 (Social Studies/Elective)  .5 (Forensic Science)

Course Meets: Tuesday/Thursday

Required Materials: Introduction to Criminal Justice (MindTap Course List) 17th Editionby Larry Siegel (Author), John L. Worrall (Author)  *NEW TEXTBOOK*

 All Payments are non-refundable