The Master of Science (M.S.) in Criminal Forensic Studies builds upon the B.S. in Criminal Forensic Studies degree, also housed in the Division of Justice Studies, in the College of Professional Studies. Similar to the B.S. in Criminal Forensic Studies, this is an interdisciplinary program, focused on making graduates highly competitive in the marketplace. The M.S. will prepare students for work and research in advanced positions with specific skill sets.
Students completing the Forensic Behavioral Analyst Concentration will possess advanced skills for utilization as Crime Scene Investigators or Criminal Investigation Detectives at local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, offices of the state and federal prosecuting attorneys, and juvenile and adult corrections. Graduates will also be qualified to develop and promulgate policy in local, county, state, and federal agencies.
Students completing the Death Investigator Concentration will have completed the requisite curriculum required by the majority of Medical Examiner’s Offices throughout the United States. The curriculum is based on the St. Louis University School of Medicine’s Medico-Legal Death Investigation Program. Once the graduate has had the requisite one year professional job experience they will have the skills necessary to negotiate the Medico-Legal Death Investigators Certification Examination. This program is designed to fill the need for qualified questioned death investigators for Medical Examiner’s and Coroner’s Offices; Homicide Investigation Units; and other agencies whose responsibilities include the investigation of questioned death.
A sub-specialization exists in the Death Investigator Concentration in the area of Human Identification. This specialty centers on aspects of Forensic Anthropology and Odontology. The study of the human skeleton and dentition is critical for the investigation of questioned death where decomposition of the victim has occurred. This will qualify the student to process decomposed remains for the purposes of identification and potential cause and manner of death.
