Curriculum
Post Bachelor Forensic Investigation certificate coursework
The Forensic Investigation certificate program is a combination of coursework at Wayne State University and affiliated medicolegal internship sites.
Required courses (19 credits)
Course Number |
Course name and description |
Credits |
CRJ 4220 |
Criminalistics No credit after former CRJ 5150. Application of the physical and biological sciences to criminal investigation; ballistics, fingerprints, DNA, trace evidence, drugs, arson and explosives, questioned documents, introduction to forensic anthropology, courtroom testimony, ethics. (T) |
4 |
MS 5011 |
Forensic Investigation of Firearms, Ballistics and Explosives Open only to students in Post-Bachelor Certificate in Forensic Investigation program. Prereq: M S 4010 or M S 6010. Introduction to firearm operation, identification, ballistics and explosive materials and devices from the perspective of forensic evaluation. Principles of forensic evidence collection and analysis discussed in lab. Offered in collaboration with Bioengineering Center Ballistic Research Laboratory. Material Fee as indicated in the Schedule of Classes. (W) |
4 |
MS 4200 |
Forensic Anatomic Pathology Open only to students in Bachelor of Science in Pathologists' Assistant program, or Post-Bachelor Certificate in Forensic Investigation program. Role of medical examiner, early signs of death, medical investigation of cause of death, methods for identification of remains, medicolegal aspects of forensic science, toxicology specimen techniques, legal issues in anatomic/forensic pathology. (S) |
3 |
MS 4010 |
Basic Forensic Analysis Open only to students in Post-Bachelor Certificate in Forensic Investigation program. The forensic lab, its organization, accreditation, and regulation; quality control, safety, and documentation; discussion and demonstration of methods for collection and processing of specimens. Specimen extraction techniques and analyte-specific analytical instrumentation used in forensic laboratory. Basis for the forensic logic tree. (F) |
3 |
MS 4011 |
Interview and Interrogation Techniques Open only to students in Post-Bachelor Certificate in Forensic Investigation program. Appropriate and effective techniques for conducting interviews in forensic investigations. Effective and efficient techniques for interviewing witnesses and interrogating defendants. Legal issues surrounding investigations; strategies in gathering information and obtaining confessions. (F) |
3 |
MS 5010 |
Advanced Forensic Analysis Open only to students in Post-Bachelor Certificate in Forensic Investigation program. Prereq: MS 4010. New developments in the forensic laboratory; current areas of research and potential applications. Forensic logic trees and forensic case applications; novel techniques in crime scene investigation and analysis. (W) |
2 |
Elective courses (minimum of six credits)
Course number |
Course name and description |
Credits |
MS 5550 |
Special Topics: Expert Witness Open only to students in Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science program or in Post-Bachelor Certificate in Forensic Investigation. Lectures and discussions; invited speakers on current topics in the profession. Topics to be announced in Schedule of Classes. (F) |
1 |
MS 5990 |
Directed Study Open only to students in Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science program or Post-Bachelor Certificate in Forensic Investigation program. Library and/or laboratory study of current or pending professional development; study of an existing problem, study or development of new procedures or techniques. Assigned project under the guidance of departmental/program faculty member. (Y) |
3 |
MS 4600 |
Internship |
3 (only) |
MS 5550 |
Special Topics: Case studies / Current Developments in Forensic Investigation Open only to students in Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science program or in Post-Bachelor Certificate in Forensic Investigation. Lectures and discussions; invited speakers on current topics in the profession. Topics to be announced in Schedule of Classes. (W) |
1 |
MS 5550 |
Special Topics: Grief, Loss, Stress Open only to students in Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science program or in Post-Bachelor Certificate in Forensic Investigation. Lectures and discussions; invited speakers on current topics in the profession. Topics to be announced in Schedule of Classes. (S/S) |
1 |
MS 5996 |
Seminar |
2 |
Certificate completion requirements
- 24-26 total semester hours
- All semester hours must be earned at WSU
- Completion of all coursework with a 2.0 GPA or higher
- Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 in certificate coursework
Download the curriculum for the certificate in Forensic Investigation