Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

An examination of the American criminal justice system as an interdisciplinary social science involving aspects of criminology, sociology, law, and political science.This course will enable the student to grasp the complexity of the American Criminal Justice System. As we study the Administration of Criminal Justice, we will see how the several components work, their goals, organizations and how they may have different or competing philosophies.

This course will assess the criminal justice system including research theory, inquiry structure, and modes of observation, data interpretation, program evaluation, and policy analysis. The student will approach the study of research methods through reading assignments, assessing scenarios, research readings and/or questions regarding issues in research in Criminal Justice. The student will prepare a research survey regarding a topic in the criminal justice field. Students will examine the importance of theory as it relates to criminal justice research and differentiate between major research approaches, designs, data collection techniques, and research works. Students shall be introduced to the American Psychological Association (APA) style of writing regarding basic research paper format. (This course is to be considered a perquisite taken as one of the first three 300 level courses from the criminal justice and/or security curriculums).

This course explains criminal behavior in relationship to various theories and analysis through historical explanations including classic theories and current developments of crime causation as they relate to criminal involvement. Society's response to criminal behavior is reviewed through the assessment of legal approaches and the aspects of the criminal justice system. Discussions of types of crime, terrorism, and recent laws affecting violent criminal acts are distinguished. Research affecting social policy and public crime concerns are examined including social problems and social responsibility perspectives.

This course is an analytical examination of crime detection and solution, including such topics as crime scene procedures, physical evidence, interviews, field notes and reporting, follow-up investigation, interrogation, and rules of evidence. Specific detail is given to investigations involving homicide, sex-related offenses, and crimes against children, robbery, larceny, vehicle thefts, computer crime, environmental crime, arson, and drug abuse. There is an in depth analysis of investigation methodologies addressing inductive and deductive reasoning to assess the decision making process to solve crimes.

This course has a concentration on the major functions and structure as well as processes that underline ethical issues and types associated within the American Criminal Justice System. This course will explore the structure and nature of the various types of ethical debates within the American judicial system. There will be an assessment of the ethics in criminal justice, as it explores the issues of morality, virtue, honesty, and making ethical decisions in the United States criminal justice system. Assessments of various issues will be examined as they relate to decision making and ethics.

This course explores criminal behavior, its motivation, and the environmental influences and patterns of offending. Other topics examined are the approaches to profiling and how these investigative techniques are applied to helping solve crimes. The course will address aspects of behavior, taking into consideration the definition of criminal profiling as the inference of offender traits from physical and/or behavioral evidence. Evaluations will be made of the history, theories, and investigative techniques regarding profiling crime offenders, using a unique blend of both social science, as well as psychological & legal research. It includes legal case excerpts to demonstrate the role of the profiler (investigator). This provides the student a solid understanding of the integral relationship between the profiling techniques and theories of criminal behavior and the court system. Further exploration and assessment is discussed beyond traditional investigative procedures with Current topics such as "inductive and deductive profiling", understanding modus operandi, and various other crime specific topics such as serial rape and sadistic behavior. Students will be able to explain how the science and art of profiling crime scenes, and subsequently offenders, from physical and psychological evidence as a key to the investigation of a violent serial crime e.g., sex crime etc., for which there is no known perpetrator. It is recommended students take either CMRJ101 or CMRJ306 prior to enrolling in this course.

This course will examine contemporary practices for analysis and measurement of crime including the use of geographical information systems (GIS) to map various aspects of crime. Modern crime analysis focuses on reducing crime and improving police efficiency by illustrating the impact of crime on the community and community impact on crime through the use of the SARA (scanning, analysis, response, & assessment) problem-solving model. Crime analysis facilitates informed decision making on criminal activity and prevention, thereby being instrumental in helping society learn the linkages between crime and other factors such as poverty or drug abuse. Additionally there is a review of the crime analysis function within the law enforcement organization and a demonstration of how to develop, implement, and operate a crime analysis unit.

Students will be taught the proper recognition, collection and preservation of physical evidence at the crime scene. This course is designed to make the student aware of the services of a crime laboratory and the proper utilization of these services. The course will concentrate on the significance of physical evidence and the examination of this evidence in the crime laboratory. It includes exploration into the different tests and techniques used in the field and within the laboratory regarding the study of potential evidence and its connection in solving a criminal case. This course provides a different concept from other investigative techniques as it is scientifically oriented. Students among several evidence assessments will learn to identify the process of chromatography and determine the usefulness of trace elements for the forensic comparison of various types of physical evidence. Additionally, students will relate the advantages of linking a microscope to a spectrophotometer from the forensic scientist's point of view including an ability to apply the proper techniques utilized in the collection of fiber evidence. It is recommended students take CMRJ306 prior to enrolling in this course. This course is extensively Internet-augmented.

This course is an introduction to constitutional law, the Supreme Court, and criminal procedure using the "case and comment" approach. Its concentration is on the study and analysis of United States Constitutional Law. It emphasizes those provisions of the Bill of Rights pertaining to criminal justice. Topics include: the historical events that led to the development of the Constitution; principles governing the operation of the Constitution and the role of the U.S. Supreme Court; characteristics and powers of the three branches of government; development of due process and individual protections; right to counsel, unreasonable searches and seizures; compulsory self-incrimination; and cruel and unusual punishment.

A study in substantive criminal law emphasizing the principles of criminal liability and the acts, mental state, and attendant circumstances that are necessary ingredients in crimes against persons or property or in offenses involving theft, fraud, drugs, morality and decency, public peace, or public justice.

This course introduces students to the principles of basic chemistry, the terminology, methodology and worldview of chemistry and the practical application to everyday living. Students will attain knowledge of chemical concepts, the environment and atmosphere, material and energy resources, and environmental pollution (including air, water, and soil). Concurrent enrollment in corresponding Lab Course is required.

This laboratory demonstrates both qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques. The course is designed for students in the sciences to learn how to make observations about physical and chemical phenomena, to make calculations, and to test out their own reasoning. It will enable the students to answer questions and solve problems involving nomenclature, physical properties, and synthesis of aliphatic compounds, such as alkanes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and ketones. Students will acquire skills in laboratory techniques, prepare organic compounds, study their properties, and interpret data collected to identify unknowns. The course involves study through interactive simulation laboratories designed to help reinforce and build upon the concepts presented in the SC101 - Introduction to Chemistry course. Students should access the CD's and using the Table of Contents, go to the CD that contains the following material: 27. Instructional Laboratory Demonstrations. Concurrent enrollment in corresponding Lecture Course is required.

This course will explore the sociological and psychological perspectives of sexual crimes as well as examine the legal and forensic aspects of rape. The impact rape has on its victims and society's reactions to sexual violence will be analyzed not only within the United States but around the world. The class will learn to distinguish between pornography and obscenity as well as aspects of offender rehabilitation. Proper collection and preservation of sexual battery kits is an important role law enforcement has in solving rape cases. A brief look at the appropriate items of physical evidence collected in a rape case and how the evidence is analyzed in the crime laboratory will also be addressed.

This course will provide an in-depth overview of the concepts and theories associated with how DNA is used within the criminal justice system. The course will cover ethical use of DNA as criminal and civil evidence and discuss the policies of using DNA. The course will use several selected real criminal cases in America as case studies.

This course will explore the historical development of fingerprint analysis as well as discuss the future technologies being developed to enhance fingerprint evidence in the American criminal justice system. The class will use several case studies of real crimes in which fingerprint analysis made a major impact on these crimes and the system.

This course will explore the theories and practices used by crime scene investigators to exam bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA). Topics explored will be the historical development of BPA, software used with BPA, the use of BPA as evidence, and real case studies of criminal cases in which BPA were utilized successful.

This course will explore the theories and practices used in Firearms Forensics identification and investigations. Topics explored will be the historical development and future of firearms forensics and how this science helps law enforcement officers identify weapons used to commit crimes. Students will conduct case studies on real criminal cases in which firearms forensics science played a major role in helping solve the crime.

This course will explore the development and use of the Voice Stress Analysis (VSA) by law enforcement to detect deception. Students will be exposed to the historical development of VSA technology and the policies and law that govern its use by government and private users. VSA science and reliability will be explored by case studies involving the use of this forensic tool.

This course will examine contemporary practices for investigating sudden, unexpected and violent death. Two major topics will be explored: the first focusing on the manner of death (the social circumstances under which the death occurs), the second focusing on the cause of death (the particular material actions which result in death).The following types of deaths will be considered: asphyxial, blunt and sharp force, firearms, natural causes, mass disaster, child abuse, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and suicide. Estimating the postmortem interval and identification of human remains will also be considered. It is recommended that students take CMRJ306 before enrolling in this course.

Pre Reqs: Criminal Investigation(CMRJ306)

A comprehensive overview of the processes involved in the use of criminal evidence including rules of evidence; arrests, searches, and seizures; interrogations, confessions, and non-testimonial evidence, impeachment and cross-examination of witnesses; opinion evidence; hearsay evidence; and articles and exhibits of evidence.

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.

This course is designed to be the final class taken in the B.S. in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensics program. The class will be a 16 week course during which students will be required to complete a major research project demonstrating a mastery of their program of study in a meaningful culmination of their learning and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree requirements. Topics covered during the capstone will allow students to review, analyze, and integrate the work the student has completed towards their degree. NOTE: All required, core, and major courses must be completed prior to enrollment in this course.