Crime Scene Technician College Credit Certificate (CST-CT)

Students earning the Crime Scene Technician certificate are eligible to sit for the certification examination offered through the International Association of Identification (IAI). Persons earning IAI Certification can serve in positions including, but not limited to, Crime Scene Technician, Crime Scene Photographer, Fingerprint Classification Specialist, Crime Lab Assistant/Investigator, Latent Print Examiner, and Property and Evidence Staff. While the Crime Scene Technician certificate is a stand-alone program open to all students, this certificate also enhances employment opportunities for students earning the LAW-AA and/or LAW-AS degree. Entities employing persons with IAI Certification include, but are not limited to, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, State Attorneys' Offices, Public Defenders' Offices, Medical Examiners' Offices, law firms and insurance firms.

Crime Scene Investigators are charged with collection, inventory, and documenting evidence found at a crime scene. It is their job to testify in court as to its probative value and link to the defendant or defendants. Anyone with a criminal record would not be hired by any agency based on their liability as a witness, so completing the program is not recommended for anyone with a criminal record:

This is a restricted entry program based upon special requirements needed to work for a Law Enforcement Agency.

  1. Citizen of the United States.
  2. High school diploma or GED (transcript required).
  3. Not discharged from Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions.
  4. Good moral character and NOT have been convicted of a felony, or any misdemeanor involving lying or perjury.
  5. Submit to and pass background investigation to include a fingerprint check.
We strongly encourage you to contact the Business Department for assistance in planning your program of study.

Department Head:

Dr. Barbara Rodriguez, (850) 484-2504

brodriguez@pensacolastate.edu

Program Contact:

Marc Ward, (850) 484-2575

dmward@pensacola.edu

Certificate Requirements

Required Courses

CJE 1600Criminal Investigation

3 cc

CJE 1640Introduction to Criminalistics

3 cc

CJE 2644Crime Scene Safety

2 cc

CJE 1642Advanced Crime Scene Technology

3 cc

CJE 1673Crime Scene Photography I

3 cc

CJE 2686Forensic Cyber Investigation

3 cc

CJE 2676Biological Evidence

2 cc

CJL 2403Criminal Procedure and Evidence

3 cc

CJE 1772Crime Scene Photography II

3 cc

CJE 2671Latent Fingerprint Development

3 cc

Total Credit Hours: 28

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