Crime-solving techniques and procedures have expanded and evolved to the point that a combination of crime scene analysis, physical evidence, witnesses and records are needed for successful criminal investigations. Despite current technologies and specialized training, the effectiveness of crime scene investigation is only as good as the collection, preservation and processing of information from the scene and the system that supports those activities. Numerous cases, both routine and high-profile, have demonstrated this. Conditional evidence may be present, and subsequent movement on the scene can easily alter that evidence.
Wake Tech's Criminal Justice Technology program emphasizes latent evidence collection:
Fingerprint classification, identification and chemical development
Photography
Footwear and tire track identification
Crime scene processing
Additional study areas may include the following:
Juvenile justice
North Carolina criminal law
Constitutional law
Court procedure and evidence
Substance abuse
Ethics
Community relations
Computer-assisted design programs in crime scene technology
Students who complete a Criminal Justice Technology AAS degree may transfer to four-year colleges or universities to complete a bachelor's degree. Graduates also may find positions in an array of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and private businesses.
