Criminal Justice (CJC)

This course covers the basic skills and knowledge needed for entry-level employment as a law enforcement officer in North Carolina. Topics include those mandated by North Carolina Administration Code as essential for functioning in law enforcement. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate competence in the topics required for the state comprehensive certification examination.

This course introduces the components and processes of the criminal justice system. Topics include history, structure, functions, and philosophy of the criminal justice system and their relationship to life in our society. Upon completion, students should be able to define and describe the major system components and their interrelationships and evaluate career options.

This course introduces deviant behavior as it relates to criminal activity. Topics include theories of crime causation; statistical analysis of criminal behavior; past, present, and future social control initiatives; and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to explain and discuss various theories of crime causation and societal response.

This course covers the juvenile justice system and related juvenile issues. Topics include an overview of the juvenile justice system, treatment and prevention programs, special areas and laws unique to juveniles, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify/discuss juvenile court structure/procedures, function and jurisdiction of juvenile agencies, processing/detention of juveniles, and case disposition.

This course introduces fundamental law enforcement operations. Topics include the contemporary evolution of law enforcement operations and related issues. Upon completion, students should be able to explain theories, practices, and issues related to law enforcement operations.

This course covers the history/evolution/principles and contemporary applications of criminal law. Topics include sources of substantive law, classification of crimes, parties to crime, elements of crimes, matters of criminal responsibility, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to discuss the sources of law and identify, interpret, and apply the appropriate statutes/elements.

This course covers judicial structure/process/procedure from incident to disposition, kinds and degrees of evidence, and the rules governing admissibility of evidence in court. Topics include consideration of state and federal courts, arrest, search and seizure laws, exclusionary and statutory rules of evidence, and other related issues. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and discuss procedures necessary to establish a lawful arrest/search, proper judicial procedures, and the admissibility of evidence.

This course covers the history, major philosophies, components, and current practices and problems of the field of corrections. Topics include historical evolution, functions of the various components, alternatives to incarceration, treatment programs, inmate control, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to explain the various components, processes, and functions of the correctional system.

This course introduces the theories and practices of crime scene processing and investigating. Topics include legal considerations at the crime scene, processing indoor and outdoor scenes, recording, note taking, collection and preservation of evidence and submission to the crime laboratory. Upon completion, the student should be able to evaluate and search various crime scenes and demonstrate theapprpriate techniques.

This course provides a study of trace evidence as it relates to forensic science. Topics include collection, packaging, and preservation of trace evidence from crime scenes such as bombings, fires and other scenes. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the fundamental concepts of trace evidence collection, preservation and submission to the crime laboratory.

This course identifies the fundamental reasons why America is a target for terrorists, covering various domestic/international terrorist groups and ideologies from a historical aspect. Emphasis is placed upon recognition of terrorist crime scene; weapons of mass destruction; chemical, biological, and nuclear terrorism; and planning considerations involving threat assessments. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and discuss the methods used in terrorists' activities and complete a threat assessment for terrorists' incidents.

This course introduces the historical, organizational and practical aspects of Homeland Security. Topics include a historic overview, definitions and concepts, organizational structure, communications, technology, mitigation, prevention and preparedness, response and recovery, and the future of Homeland Security. Upon completion, students should be able to explain essential characteristics of terrorism and Homeland Security, and define roles, functions and interdependency between agencies.

This course examines intelligence analysis and its relationship to the security management of terrorist attacks and other threats to national security of the United States. Topics include a historic overview, definitions and concepts, intelligence evolution-politicization-operations-strategies, surveillance, analysis perspectives, covert action, and ethics. Upon completion, students should be able to outline intelligence policies, evaluate source information, implement intelligence techniques and analysis, identify threats, and apply ethical behaviors.

This course introduces the basic elements of counseling and specific techniques applicable to the criminal justice setting. Topics include observation, listening, recording, interviewing, and problem exploration necessary to form effective helping relationships. Upon completion, students should be able to discuss and demonstrate the basic techniques of counseling.

This course covers ethical considerations and accepted standards applicable to criminal justice organizations and professionals. Topics include ethical systems; social change, values, and norms; cultural diversity; citizen involvement in criminal justice issues; and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to apply ethical considerations to the decision-making process in identifiable criminal justice situations.

This course is a study of substance abuse in our society. Topics include the history and classifications of drug abuse and the social, physical, and psychological impact of drug abuse. Upon completion, students should be able to identify various types of drugs, their effects on human behavior and society, and treatment modalities.

This course introduces the study of victims. Emphasis is placed on roles/characteristics of victims, victim interaction with the criminal justice system and society, current victim assistance programs, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to discuss and identify victims, the uniqueness of victims' roles, and current victim assistance programs.

This course introduces the components and functions of organization and administration as it applies to the agencies of the criminal justice system. Topics include operations/functions of organizations; recruiting, training, and retention of personnel; funding and budgeting; communications; span of control and discretion; and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and discuss the basic components and functions of a criminal justice organization and its administrative operations.

This course introduces the theories and fundamentals of the investigative process. Topics include crime scene/incident processing, information gathering techniques, collection/preservation of evidence, preparation of appropriate reports, court presentations, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify, explain, and demonstrate the techniques of the investigative process, report preparation, and courtroom presentation.

This course introduces critical incident intervention and management techniques as they apply to operational criminal justice practitioners. Emphasis is placed on the victim/offender situation as well as job-related high stress, dangerous, or problem-solving citizen contacts. Upon completion, students should be able to provide insightful analysis of emotional, violent, drug-induced, and other critical and/or stressful incidents that require field analysis and/or resolution.

The course covers the impact of the Constitution of the United States and its amendments on the criminal justice system. Topics include the structure of the Constitution and its amendments, court decisions pertinent to contemporary criminal justice issues, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify/discuss the basic structure of the United States Constitution and the rights/procedures as interpreted by the courts.

This course covers liability issues for the criminal justice professional. Topics include civil rights violations, tort liability, employment issues, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to explain civil trial procedures and discuss contemporary liability issues.

This course introduces statutory/case law pertinent to correctional concepts, facilities, and related practices. Topics include examination of major legal issues encompassing incarceration, probation, parole, restitution, pardon, restoration of rights, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify/discuss legal issues which directly affect correctional systems and personnel.

This course provides a study of the best known methods and practices of police leadership and management. Topics include the role of the manager in law enforcement, communications, time-management in law enforcement, managing problems, training and law enforcement productivity. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and discuss methods and practices capable of moving law enforcement agencies forward into the twenty-first century.

This course provides a study of the fundamental concepts of footwear and tire imprint evidence as related to forensic science. Topics include proper photographic recording, casting, recognition of wear patterns and imprint identification. Upon completion, the student should be able to recognize, record, photograph, and identify footwear and tire imprints.

This course introduces the basic elements of fingerprint technology and techniques applicable to the criminal justice field. Topics include the history and meaning of fingerprints, pattern types and classification filing sequence, searching and referencing. Upon completion, the students should be able to discuss and demonstrate the fundamental techniques of basic fingerprint technology.

This course introduces the theories and processes of advanced friction ridge analysis. Topics include evaluation of friction ridges, chart preparation, comparative analysis for values determination rendering proper identification, chemical enhancement and AFIS preparation and usage. Upon completion, students must show an understanding of proper procedures for friction ridge analysis through written testing and practical exercises.

This course covers important biological principles that are applied in the crime laboratory. Topics include forensic toxicology, forensic serology, microscopy, and DNA typing analysis, with an overview of organic and inorganic analysis. Upon completion, students should be able to articulate how a crime laboratory processes physical evidence submitted by law enforcement agencies.

This course provides a study of the fundamental concepts of chemistry as it relates to forensic science. Topics include physical and chemical properties of substances, metric measurements, chemical changes, elements, compounds, gases, and atomic structure. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts of forensic chemistry.