Criminal Justice: Forensic Investigations
- 120 Credits
- School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Bronx
- Manhattan
- Westchester
B.S. in Criminal Justice: Forensic Investigations Overview
Develop a foundation in criminal profiles, managing and documenting evidence, and the justice system.
Criminal Justice is a challenging, exciting and rewarding career. The 4-year Criminal Justice major will prepare you for the profession, help you advance if you’re already in it, and/or also prepare you for graduate school. Among the areas covered by the Forensic Investigations concentration are:
- analyzing crime scenes to determine evidence to be collected
- taking photographs of the crime scene and evidence
- creating records of observations and findings
- learning to collect evidence, including weapons, fingerprints, and bodily fluids
- learning to catalog and preserve evidence for transfer to crime labs
- reconstructing crime scenes
The greatest strength of the criminal justice program at Mercy University is the academic and professional diversity of the faculty, which includes attorneys, law enforcement officers, forensic and crime scene specialists, and other professionals who have hands-on experience in the criminal justice system in the metropolitan area.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Criminal Justice Bachelor's program pursue positions in:
- law enforcement
- corrections, including probation and parole
- court officers and other court personnel
- social service agencies
- victims' assistance agencies
- private security
- insurance companies
What to Know
Students learn the principles of crime scene investigation and the scientific concepts and techniques to test and preserve evidence. Students will also become experienced in procedures involving various branches of forensics while also preparing for graduate school.
- Fingerprinting
- Toxicology
- Serology
- Impression Evidence
- Death Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
A four-year program designed to enhance the career of someone already in criminal justice, or prepare you if you’re not. Full-time students can complete the 120-credit degree program in four years.
In addition to general liberal arts curriculum, the specialized courses include the Criminal Justice System, the Corrections System, Criminal Procedure, Constitutional Law issues, the impact of crime on the victim and on law enforcement officers, drugs and several other related issues. Sociology, philosophy and psychology courses are also included.
The student body in our program includes male and female adult students of all ages. Our students include police, court, and correction personnel, as well as other professionals who are already employed in the field.
The academic and professional diversity of the faculty and a well-balanced curriculum. Our faculty includes attorneys, law enforcement professionals, and others who have had hands-on experience in the criminal justice system throughout the metropolitan area.
Various jobs in public service agencies, such as police departments, corrections departments, social service agencies, victims' assistance agencies, in positions ranging from entry level to top positions; as well as the private sector in security and insurance companies.
Program Details & Curriculum
General Liberal Arts and Sciences
General Education Requirements: 60 Credits
Major Concentration
Criminal Justice: 39 Credits
Open Electives: 21 Credits
Total: 120 Credits
For a full curriculum listing visit our catalog.
Students who choose the major concentration in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Forensic Investigations must complete all of the following courses:
- CRJU 102 Intro Criminal Justice System
- CRJU 204 Introduction to Corrections
- CRJU 212 Criminology
- CRJU 236 Criminal Court Process
- CRJU 253 Policing
- CRJU 255 Crime Scene Investigation
- CRJU 256 Criminal Investigation
- CRJU 396 Research Methods in Criminal Justice
- CRJU 401 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice
- LAWS 203 Law of Evidence
- CRJU 382 Crime Scene Investigation Practicum
- CRJU 383 Criminalistics I
- CRJU 384 Criminalistics II
Full-Time Faculty
Brian Kelly
- VIC 100H
- bkelly18@mercy.edu
Jeong Lim Kim
- MaH B06
- jkim50@mercy.edu
- (914) 674-7372
Illya D Lichtenberg
- MaH B11
- ilichtenberg@mercy.edu
- (914) 674-3038