Delaware State University
Forensic Biology BS
If you want to get a real-deal bachelors in Forensic Biology -- and perhaps work in DNA profiling, blood spatter interpretation or crime scene investigation on the biology side, then take a look at the Delaware State in Dover. They offer a full-scale forensics degree B.S. in forensic biology. Unlike a lot of other programs that grant you a B.S. in biology with a concentration, Delaware dishes out forensics classes over four years specifically tailored to Forensic Biology. The course-load includes 9 courses in biology, 4 courses in criminal justice, 5 in chemistry and one each of psychology and statistics. Of course, you'll have to meet the general education requirements because this is a full degree.
After looking at the forensics classes, and you're not sure you want to commit to the full forensics degree curriculum, consider taking Forensic Science (23-225), a course that Delaware offers to prospective students interested in the field. It should give you a smaller dose of the forensic classes you'll see if you go in for the full forensics degree.
Among forensics programs and colleges for forensic science offering full forensic degrees, Delaware is on the forefront in offering a real B.S., as opposed to just a natural science degree with a concentration.
University of Delaware
Computer Forensics Lab Resources
The University of Delaware Police maintains a comprehensive collection of computer forensics, forensic data and computer forensics training data on their website. This is a useful resource for investigator and police officers alike who are interested in taking their cases further. The site offers a full set of tools you might need to investigate computer forensics crimes related to hard drive analysis, stored data retrieval, email header analysis and the like. If you're in Delaware, and interested in cyber-crime investigation, check them out. They can give you the low-down on training opportunities in the area.
Wesley College
Forensic Psychology
Wesley college, located in Dover, is Wesley's oldest private college. They offer forensics classes in Forensic Psychology for students interested in pursuing the field after graduation. The 300-level course in the psychology department will give you a good introduction to the field, looking at behavioral profiling, the fitness of criminals to stand trial and for parolees to be released into the public. This class will give you a good framework to understand the field, and make an informed decision about whether forensic psychology or forensic psychiatry is something you might want to take on later in graduate school or medical school.
Wilmington University
Introduction to Computer Forensics
Wilmington offers a couple hands-on training course in computer forensics, teaching you the basics of what you need to know to start a computer-based investigation. The class begins with a general introduction to digital forensics, looking at the tools that are out there, the concepts and how evidence should be collected, handled and documented. In particular, you'll learn how to mirror image and magnetic media in a way that does not damage the original; verify that your working copy is identical to the original, sufficient to satisfy a court of law; and analyze the forensic data without altering it or damaging it.
You can take this course with a single pre-requisite, MIS320, or with the permission of the instructor.
Forensic Psychology
Wilmington offers a 300-level course in forensic psychology, combining 35 hours of class work with 5 hours of a structured external assignment. It is designed to give you a general overview of the field, at least enough to decide if forensic psychology is something you would like to do as a forensic scientist or later in forensic graduate school.
Individual topics you'll study are the psychology behind selecting and training police officers, police interrogation techniques and confessions, criminal and behavioral profiling, the fallacy of eye-witness accounts, preparation for trial and jury selection.
Forensic Nursing - Clinical and Legal Implications
Wilmington offers a Forensic Nursing course in their Post-Master of Science in Nursing program. The course covers all manner of forensic nursing topics, including the theories behind the specialty and how it impacts health care delivery in the U.S. This includes the relationship between forensic nursing, the justice system, and community-based referral systems. Specific topics are sexual assault, elder abuse, child abuse and human rights violations in general. The course is MSN 7350.
Post-Master's Certificate in Homeland Security
If you already have a masters degree, Wilmington will let you enroll in the Post-Master's Certificate in Homeland Security. Specifically, you'll need a masters in criminal justice or a related field. But if you do, Wilmington offers a great collection of courses as part of their Administration of Justice program.
Courses that are offered include a survey course in homeland security, terrorism, risk assessment and law. Three elective courses are also offered, on general topics like supervision and management, crisis management and forensic behavior analysis.
Criminalistics
If you're a criminal justice junkie, then Wilmington offers a 400-level course on criminalistics. Of course, you'll need a slew of pre-requisites: CRJ 101, CRJ 205 and CRJ 318. But if you have those under your belt, this is a good course to take if you're interested in pursuing forensic case work or graduate school in forensic science down the line.
The course covers all aspects of a criminal investigation, with particular emphasis on how physical evidence is collected, preserved and examined in a forensic lab. You'll also get a feel for how a forensics lab functions, knowing in particular what the capabilities and limitations are.
