Investigative Technician

This certificate is designed to offer a basic pattern of course work that will prepare the participant to enter the professional field of criminal and forensic investigations or evidence/property technician roles at an assistant level. The successful participant will gain sufficient skills and understanding criminal investigative procedures to assist professionals in all areas of the criminal justice system to properly identify, gather, analyze, prepare, store, and present evidence in criminal matters, including law enforcement agencies, district attorney offices, criminal law offices, and private or commercial investigative agencies. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the principle components of criminal law and the criminal justice system.
• Understand the comprehensive structure of the crinimal justice system from the beginning of an investigation through arrest, booking, pre-trial process, trial, and sentencing. 
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of state and federal rules of evidence.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the procedures and process of collecting, preserving, and cataloging physical evidence from a crime scene.
• Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of specialized criminal investigation techniques. 
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize professional and multicultural communication strategies within criminal justice, including interviewing skills. 
• Demonstrate the ability to properly write official reports related to the collection, preservation, and presentation of crime scene evidence.

This certificate may lead to employment competency but does not lead to an Associate degree.