Criminalists are concerned with the reconstruction of crimes and the analysis of physical evidence. They must use a blend of investigative skills and practical experience. One of the primary functions of a criminalist is to properly identify and collect evidence in a wide variety of crime scenes. Combining scientific and legal methods taught in the classroom with actual experience, you will develop skills in identifying, sorting, comparing, interpreting and cataloging evidence for use in subsequent criminal proceedings.
Our criminalistics courses are uniquely designed as stepping stones throughout the major. You will collect evidence in classes and continue to analyze this evidence in subsequent classes. You begin to learn these processes in Introduction to Forensic Science, which opens you up to an overview of forensic science. Additional courses in the progression are Advanced Criminalistics, Evidence Processing and Trial Evidence. Throughout this progression, you will advance your experience from crime scene to the courtroom.
Ohio Police Officer Training Academy (OPOTA)
To be a sworn police officer in Ohio, you must successfully complete the Ohio Police Officer Training Academy (OPOTA). Tiffin University partners with Terra State Community College to include the cost of the academy in tuition and can be earned in just one semester.
This unique training academy is state mandated for all police officers and covers firearms, legal administration, human relations, traffic, patrol, driving, subject control, investigations, civil disorder, physical conditioning and other aspects of law enforcement. Students apply direct, hands-on practice in the crime lab, firing range and police cruisers. With experienced, certified instructors and hands-on application, our students consistently achieve passing rates on the state-certified exam.
Once graduates of the program earn the certification, they are immediately eligible for full-time employment.
Testimonial
“Tiffin University gave me my best friend and pushed me to my highest potential. The OPOTA program put me ahead in the hiring process and my bachelor’s degree set me apart from other candidates.”
Cassidy Ralph
Hometown: Marion, Ohio
Graduation: Spring, 2019
Major: Bachelor of Criminal Justice in Law Enforcement
Position: Police Officer with the City of Marysville Division of Police