The Crime Scene Investigation Track is a compilation of online courses that cover a variety of topics necessary in the investigation of crime scenes. Students will take individual courses that include: Crime Scene Investigation, Introduction to Forensic Photography, and Perspectives in Expert Testimony. Also, students will choose one related elective course from the following: Introduction to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Shooting Reconstruction, Principles of Death Investigation, and Evidence Analysis: Beyond the Crime Scene. After the courses are completed, students will then be enrolled in the capstone portion of the track. The capstone is a mechanism utilized to test the comprehensive knowledge gained by completing the track and includes a virtual crime scene assignment as well as a final assessment, where topics from all courses will be covered.
The student has one year to complete the track requirements.
Cost: $0-500. Registration starts 12/16/2012
Upon completion of this track the student will be able to:
This is a non-credit track offering ILUs. (What is ILU?) Each track has a different amount of ILUs based on what elective you take. If you would like to know the ILU value for the track you are taking please contact the track manager: Anthony Iten (Anthony.Iten@mail.wvu.edu).
Students will have one year to complete the track. The track cost is $500 per registration (with the exception of public lab employees, law enforcement, public attorneys, and federal employees – please see "Application Information" below). A proof of completion will be issued to students successfully meeting track requirements.
The Crime Scene Investigation Track requires the completion of four courses. The following online courses are mandatory:
The last course must be one of the following electives:
Once all the courses are completed, the track manager will email students asking if they are ready to take the Crime Scene Capstone. The Crime Scene Capstone requires students to properly document a virtual crime scene and complete a comprehensive final assessment. There are two different ways students will be asked to document the virtual crime scene. The first will be general documentation required by a crime scene investigator as taught in the Crime Scene, Photography, and Testimony courses and the second will be dependent upon and specific to the elective the student chooses. Students will then complete an assessment where questions will be taken from each of the four courses in the track.
One of the elective courses, "Principles of Death Investigation", requires instructor approval for registration. If you will take this course, please fill out and submit the Instructor Approval Form. You will be notified when you are approved for registration. General Public registration without pre-approval may not be accepted.
A printable version of the course content for each class is available in PDF format in each course library for future reference. The printable versions of the courses will also be available in the library section of the capstone. Course readings are also available in PDF format.
There are free software plug-ins available in the Getting Started area of the courses.
Basic computer skills are required (i.e. turning on your computer, navigating to websites, etc.). The track is user-friendly but support is available if needed.
Track Manager Information
Please read below to determine your eligibility. If you have any eligibility questions please contact Forensic Science Initiative at FSI@mail.wvu.edu BEFORE you apply. If you register incorrectly, Extended Learning reserves the right to collect the processing fee from you.
Question: What is the Capstone?
Answer: The capstone is like a final exam. It is to test your knowledge on all the courses you have completed. The capstone is made up of three separate parts. There are two different documentation assignments worth 10 points each and a 50 point final assessment. You must get an 80% or better on each to pass. Only one attempt will be allowed on the capstone. Question: When can I register/apply? Answer: Applications will be accepted year round. Question: Do I have to register for all courses in a track at once? Answer: Yes, in order to take the track you will need to fill out an application that you and your supervisor (public employees only) will have to sign. While you will be enrolled in all the classes at once, you will have one year to complete them all including the capstone. Question: If I already have taken a course that is included in the track, will I still get credit or have to retake? Answer: If you have completed the course within the past two semesters, your course will count toward the track and will not have to retake. Question: If I have taken all of the courses in a track already, do I get another proof of completion automatically? Answer: If you have completed all courses in a track within the previous two semesters, you will be eligible to take the Crime Scene Capstone. Upon successful completion of the capstone, you will receive a proof of completion for the track. Question: Since I am given a year to complete the track, what happens if the semester ends and I haven't completed all of the course work? Answer: You will be automatically enrolled into the next semester. Question: What if I don't complete all of the courses I'm registered for by the end of the one-year period? Answer: You will be charged the $30 non-completion fee for each unfinished course, and an additional $30 for not completing the capstone course. Question: When will the capstone be available? Answer: Once you complete all courses successfully, the track manager will request access to the capstone on your behalf. Question: Will we be granted extensions? Answer: No, students in the tracks will be given one year to complete all courses, including the capstone. Question: Who do I contact with questions about the courses? Answer: For questions about the course such as grades and what you need to complete the course, you will need to contact the course instructor. For specific questions regarding the capstone, you will contact the track manager. Question: Who do I contact with questions about the track? Answer: If you have questions about the capstone and what you need to complete in order to take the capstone, please contact the track manager. Question: How do I know I have successfully completed a course and/or the track? Answer: You must earn at least 80% on all assessments and assignments (in every course and capstone) in order to have successfully completed the track. Once you have completed the courses and capstone, the track manager will send you information on how you will receive your certificate of completion. Question: Will I still receive a proof of completion for all the courses I complete in addition to the track proof of completion? Answer: Yes, you will receive a proof of completion for each course you complete. Question: How long will I have access to the courses I am taking? Answer: You will lose access to the course content at the end of the semester in which you completed the course. Make sure you download the printable course content so that you will have all the information available when taking the capstone. PDFs of the courses will also be available in the capstone library section. Question: Will I receive credits for the track? Answer: The track is still non-credit, but you will receive ILU's.
I have a Bachelor's degree in Forensic Chemistry with a minor in Criminal Justice from York College of PA. I am currently working for Baltimore County as a Forensic Services Technician. I enrolled in the crime scene track in order to sharpen the skills and understanding in my work as well as to provide proof of my continued knowledge.
Each course was interesting and provided valuable information. The Bloodstain course was a great refresher from previous seminars and education I had. We do not get bloodstain training at our facility, so it is nice to say that I have some knowledge in the area. The Photography course was useful in better understanding the workings of the technology that I use on a daily basis. Previously I was taught what to photograph and how to do it, but I did not have a good understanding of how it all worked. The Expert Testimony and Crime Scene courses were almost all review for me. I am very happy that I took the time to engage in this coursework, and I plan on taking additional courses in order to continue my knowledge expansion.
