Forensic Science, Certificate of Achievement (COA)

The Forensic Sciences, Certificate of Achievement (COA), is designed for students interested in a career as a field evidence technician or a forensic laboratory technician, or to enhance the credentials of police officers desiring to join a CSI unit. Students receive instruction in the areas of crime scene processing, documentation and reconstruction, digital assessments, evidence collection, cataloging and preservation, fingerprints and fingerprint examination, crime scene photography, chemical, biological, and microscopic analysis on evidence, report writing, and legal issues relating to physical evidence.

Students will learn the skills necessary to identify potential evidence, analyze and process a crime scene and establish a chain of custody for all collected evidence, both in the field and the laboratory. This specialized knowledge will provide investigative personnel with the skills to facilitate their career advancement and is a foundation for students who wish to pursue advanced degrees and careers as criminalists, forensic scientists, or crime scene investigators.

Program Learning Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate ability to observe objectively and to collect data and facts to make an informed judgment.

2. Apply the rules of evidence, forensic science techniques and technology, and report writing to crime scene situations and scenarios.

3. Assess the techniques of crime scene searches, evidence analysis, and courtroom demeanor related to a variety of criminal investigation situations.

Enrollment Limitations:

Students should be aware that prior felony or any misdemeanor or felony domestic violence convictions, and some psychological holds, are disqualifying. TROs (Temporary Restraining Orders) can also be a disqualifier. Prior substance use (including marijuana) and other disqualifiers may apply in specific positions related to law enforcement or forensics. Our Career Preparation Workshop will help students determine if they have a disqualifying event that may exclude them from employment in fields related to forensic science.

Based on the number of Criminal Justice, AS degrees awarded over the past three years (54 in 2020-21, 44 in 2021-22, and 50 in 2022-23), it is projected that the Forensic Sciences, AS degree will be completed by 25 students annually.

Students with an interest in the field of criminal justice, but with a particular interest in science and evidence collection, are encouraged to pursue the Forensic Sciences, Certificate of Achievement (COA). The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of, and prepare interested persons for, careers as field evidence technicians and forensic laboratory technicians, or to enhance the credentials of police officers to join a CSI unit. Students receive instruction in the areas of crime scene processing, documentation and reconstruction, digital assessments, evidence collection, cataloging and preservation, fingerprints and fingerprint examination, crime scene photography, chemical, biological, and microscopic analysis on evidence, report writing, and legal issues relating to physical evidence.

Successful students will be able to demonstrate the critical thinking skills that are needed to identify potential evidence, analyze and process a crime scene and establish a chain of custody for all collected evidence, both in the field and the laboratory. In addition, this specialized knowledge will provide investigative personnel with dedicated skills to facilitate career advancement and is a foundation for those students who wish to pursue advanced degrees and careers as criminalists, forensic scientists, or crime scene investigators.

Some courses within this program may require additional coursework that must be completed prior to enrollment in these courses. Please consult the individual course listings for prerequisites and any other limitations on enrollment.

Students interested in pursuing an associate degree in Forensic Sciences should speak with a counselor about additional General Education requirements.