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AJS/584

Forensic Science and Psychological Profiling

Course level: Graduate

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3 credits

Total credits

6 weeks

Course length

Take this course on its own, or as part of a degree or certificate program.

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Please Note: Attendance and participation are mandatory in all University courses, and specific requirements may differ by course. If attendance requirements are not met, a student may be removed from the course. Please review the Course Attendance Policy in the Catalog for more information.

University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

This course provides the student with a fundamental understanding of forensic science and technology, psychological profiling, and the application of scientific methodologies to the investigative process.

Please Note: Attendance and participation are mandatory in all University courses, and specific requirements may differ by course. If attendance requirements are not met, a student may be removed from the course. Please review the Course Attendance Policy in the Catalog for more information.

University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

Earn these career-relevant skills in weeks, not years.

  • Examine the history, evolution, and contemporary applications of forensic science including its relationship to other scientific disciplines.
  • Evaluate the education, training, and experience required for forensic scientists.
  • Discuss the functions of a modern day crime lab as well as the cost-benefit analysis of the lab depending upon jurisdictional size.
  • Assess evidence collection procedures including the significance of the chain of custody.

  • Examine the objectives of the natural and social sciences.
  • Discuss the importance of critical thinking skills as it relates to the empirical process and criminal investigations.
  • Compare different types of evidence and evaluate their level of acceptance in a judicial setting.
  • Evaluate the research process from hypothesis testing to analysis of results.

  • Evaluate the importance of written documentation in reference to evidence collection and analysis.
  • Explain the functions of crime laboratory instruments.

  • Determine what information is required to develop a psychological profile.
  • Explain the significance of modus operandi and signatures on the development of a psychological profile.
  • Evaluate historical criminal cases and the value of psychological profiling on investigative efforts and the judicial process.

  • Explain the value of the behavioral sciences to a criminal investigation.
  • Identify the requirements necessary to obtain expert witness designation and the acceptance of expert witness testimony.
  • Evaluate court rules regarding the acceptance of evidence and testimony related to the behavioral sciences in judicial proceedings
  • Identify the areas of forensic science and psychological profiling that may be vulnerable to challenge in judicial proceedings.
  • Discuss Supreme Court decisions regarding forensic science and psychological profiling.

  • Analyze specific criminal cases in terms of the application of the natural and behavioral sciences as they relate to real or hypothetical investigative efforts.
  • Evaluate the role of crime scene reconstruction, wound pattern analysis, and victimology to the development of a psychological profile.

Why take courses at University of Phoenix?

University of Phoenix serves busy adults

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We’ve been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org) for more than 40 years.

Real-world instructors

Learn from instructors who bring an average of 25 years of working experience to the classroom.

Affordable and potentially reimbursable

Our tuition and fees are competitive and fixed. Also, check to see if your employer will cover you for this course.

Transfer-friendly courses

Before you enroll in a course, check with your school of choice to make sure they will accept your transfer credits and to understand any requirements or limitations. Then you can request your transcripts.

Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. If you have a question contact us at (866) 354-1800.

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University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. Although our continuing teacher education courses are accepted by some state agencies in the United States toward teacher certifications and endorsements, this may not be the case in all states or foreign jurisdictions. If you plan to use courses for certification or endorsement, please check with your own state agency and your school district for applicability. Continuing teacher education courses are not eligible to apply to degree programs at University of Phoenix. These courses are not eligible for federal financial aid. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative. If you have a question contact us at (866) 354-1800.