Cybercrime Investigation Degree (CCI3)  Degree

Introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include an introduction to computer terminology, the Windows environment, Internet and email, word processing software, spreadsheet software, database software, and presentation software.

Introduces the development and organization of the criminal justice system in the United States. Topics include: the American criminal justice system; constitutional limitations; organization of enforcement, adjudication, and corrections; and career opportunities and requirements.

Provides an orientation to the development, philosophy, responsibility, and function of the private security industry. A historical and philosophical perspective of private security will help students better understand the present stage of private security, its principles, its legal authority and its effect on society in general. Topics include: private security: an overview; basic security goals and responsibilities; when prevention fails; and security systems at work: putting it all together.

This course presents the fundamentals of criminal investigation. The duties and responsibilities of the investigator both in field and in the courtroom are highlighted. Emphasis is placed on techniques commonly utilized by investigative personnel as well as the procedures used for investigating various crimes.

This course introduces criminal law in the United States, but emphasizes the current specific status of Georgia criminal law. The course will focus on the most current statutory contents of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) with primary emphasis on the criminal and traffic codes. Topics include: historic development of criminal law in the United States; statutory law, Georgia Code (O.C.G.A.) Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses; statutory law, Georgia Code (O.C.G.A.) Title 40 - Motor Vehicle and Traffic Offenses; and Supreme Court rulings that apply to criminal law.

The origin, history and role of forensic science in the investigative process. Philosophical, rational and practical framework that supports a case investigation will be outlined. The unifying principles of forensic science, the rooting of forensic science in the pure sciences, and the unique ways in which a forensic scientist must think will also be discussed. The special areas of forensic science will be explored.

Explains and demonstrates the effectiveness of the entire criminal investigation process by the quality of notes reports, and accurate documentation. An examination of what goes into the preparation, content, elements, mechanics, and format of documenting the criminal investigation process. Topics include: Field notes, initial information, observations, evidence, victims, witnesses, property, neighborhood canvass, crime scene, laboratory analysis and results, investigative follow-up, suspect statements, and the characteristics essential to quality report writing.

Introduces the procedural law of the criminal justice system which governs the series of proceedings through which government enforces substantive criminal law. The course offers an emphasis on the laws of arrest and search and seizure; the rules of evidence, right to counsel, and the rights and duties of both citizens and officers. The course covers in depth appropriate Case Law and court rulings that dictate criminal procedure on the State and Federal Level.

The course provides an introduction to the principles of homeland security, roles and responsibilities of constituencies and implications for criminal justice fields. Topics include: intelligence and warning, border and transportation security, domestic counterterrorism, protecting critical infrastructure, defending against catastrophic threats, and emergency preparedness and response.

This course is designed to address the fundamental principles of different types of cybercrime investigations, and the specific procedures used to investigate them. Emphasis is placed on the investigation of specific offenses, the identification of sources of information, and the procedures used to properly collect and store digital evidence. The course is designed to develop a working knowledge of the investigative steps to be followed in a cybercrime investigation, beginning with initial crime scene security and concluding with proper testimony and presentation of evidence in court. This course includes study designed to reinforce important investigative and forensic evidence collection skills.

Provides an overview of modern operating systems and their use in home and small business environments. Activities will utilize the graphical user interface (GUI) and command line environment (CLI) This will include operating system fundamentals; installing, configuring, and upgrading operating systems; managing storage, file systems, hardware and system resources; troubleshooting, diagnostics, and maintenance of operating systems; and networking.

This course provides a broad overview of information security. It covers terminology, history, security systems development and implementation. Student will also cover the legal, ethical, and professional issues in information security.

This course provides knowledge and experience to develop and maintain security policies and procedures. Students will explore the legal and ethical issues in information security and the various security layers: physical security, personnel security, operating systems, network, software, communication and database security. Students will develop an Information Security Policy and an Acceptable Use Policy.

This course examines the use of computers in the commission of crimes, collection, analysis and production of digital evidence. Students will use computer resources to explore basic computer forensic investigation techniques.

Provides an orientation that contains a step-by-step approach to the investigation, seizure, and evaluation of computer evidence. Topics include: computer-related evidence, crime scene investigation, evidence evaluation and analysis, passwords and encryption, networks, and investigative computer systems. The second part of this course provides an orientation that focuses on corporate fraud as it relates to computerized accounting systems and its technology, the various types of corporate computer fraud and simple audit techniques that can assist in investigating and detecting fraud. Topics include: history and evolution of fraud, mindset: step one in fraud auditing, corporate fraud in the current environment, corporate fraud investigation in the electronic data processing era, defenses against corporate fraud, theft and embezzlement, and auditing for inventory shortage.

Provides experiences necessary for further professional development and exposure to related agencies in the criminal justice field. The student will pursue a professional research project supervised by the instructor. Topics include: criminal justice theory applications.