Underwater Crime Scene Investigation Certificate Program

The College of Applied Studies, Public Safety and Security, offers an Underwater Crime Scene Investigation (UCSI) certificate that may be earned independently or as part of a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Our focus is on underwater forensic investigations. Courses include the application of theory and methodology, and are relevant to many careers in law enforcement and public safety and security.

Our mission is to rigorously challenge our students through five sequenced courses and laboratories. These courses and labs provide students with the theory and practical experiences that equip them to be underwater forensic scientists.

Our goal is to produce the most qualified law enforcement and forensic professionals in the world.

Program Contact

Tom Kelley, Ph.D.
Florida State University Panama City
(850) 770-2202 • Office: HAC A111-R • tkelley@pc.fsu.edu

Course Requirements

Introduction to Underwater Investigation (CJE3761 CJE3761L)
offered Fall &Summer

Provides theoretical and practical foundation for students preparing to be scientific underwater investigators, including safety and legal principals that relate to working in underwater environments.

Scientific Underwater Investigation (CJE4763 CJE4763L CJE5767 CJE5767L)
offered Spring

Applies scientific methods to collecting data underwater. Students learn to draw reliable investigative inferences from traditional data collection techniques and to use enhanced dive skills and technology for prolonged investigations.

Forensic Science in Investigation (CJE4762 CJE4762L CJE5766 CJE5766L)
offered Spring

Emphasizes the use of scientific methods in forensic science examinations and the evaluation of its reliability. Students collect and process materials from simulated crime scenes in this land-based course, with an emphasis on the use of protocols, calculation of error rates, making decisions when conducting examinations and writing reports of their findings.

Underwater Crime Scene Methodology (CJE4764 CJE4764L CJE5768 CJE5768L)
offered Fall

Applies underwater measurement protocols, advanced dive skills and sophisticated instruments to gathering and examining evidence in underwater environments like those encountered in actual investigations.

Underwater Crime Scene Investigation (CJE4765 CJE4765L CJE5769 CJE5769L)
offered Spring

Utilizes knowledge gained in the preceding four courses so students can plan, conduct and report on several simulated crime scenes. Students demonstrate the intellectual creativity and practical skills to manage criminal, environmental and accident investigations.

Certificate Options

Academic Perspective

Within academic programs, a UCSI certificate is beneficial in science-based disciplines.

• Engineering (vehicular accidents and materials science)

• Medicine (cause and manner of death)

• Criminology (criminal motivation and conduct)

• Archeology (artifact location and analysis)

Graduates are educated to be both scientists and investigators. They are equipped with skills to reliably collect and evaluate underwater evidence. They have an important place in the future of science and criminal justice.

The competent examination of evidence involved in crimes and accidents requires background knowledge and skills in the basic sciences of chemistry, physics and biology, plus the reasoning of logic, mathematics and statistics.

Professional Perspective

The UCSI certificate is advantageous in many professions.

• Commercial and public safety divers process accidents and natural disasters that require underwater search and recovery

• Federal, state and local law enforcement public safety dive teams investigate crime scenes where evidence is located underwater

• Insurance companies use experienced divers to investigate fraud

• Environmental investigators collect underwater samples from suspected pollution sources and spills

• Maritime security agencies utilize divers to combat terrorist activities

Underwater Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement is a leading reference in this specialized field and in subsequent training programs. To purchase the book contact Best Publishing Company at www.bestpub.com.

click here for printable version of certificate program (pdf 37.38 MB)