In the words of President Obama, cyber-attacks are “one of the most serious economic and national security threats our nation faces.” With the advent of the Internet and the exponential growth of both IT and technology in general over the last two decades, a new branch of criminal justice has become necessary: cyber security. The Internet and technology such as GPS-enabled devices and mobile phones have not only allowed people to stay better connected in day-to-day life, but it has also opened doors for criminal acts such as identity theft, espionage, hacking, and even terrorism.
The field of cyber security has become widespread in criminal justice agencies across the nation, from local police departments to the military and even Homeland Security. Many criminal justice students who are also interested in computers and technology are beginning to concentrate on cyber security in order to counteract crime and terrorism that takes place in cyber-space, and there are even digital forensic specialists that are called in on cases from time to time.
The responsibilities of a career in cyber security with the Department of Homeland Security involve incident response, vulnerability detection and assessment network and systems engineering, intelligence, investigation, strategic analysis, and assessment of cyber risk; all in an attempt to protect the cyberspace of the United States. Recently, there has been a push to increase monitoring of social media sites in order to identify possible threats to the nation, from terrorism to treason and even pedophilia. However, in doing so, Homeland Security is walking a fine line between national security and violation of privacy. As such, people in the cyber security field must be educated not only in the use of technology and the Internet, but also in criminal justice and the law.
In an effort to reduce the time and expense of obtaining two degrees to become a cyber security professional, many colleges, universities and online criminal justice schools offer information security or cyber security degrees to students to cover both realms of education: technology and criminal justice. Cyber security degrees are offered at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels, and some schools also offer undergraduate or graduate certificates in the field.
Private investigators come from all walks of life and can earn their qualifications in various ways. The requirements for becoming a private investigator are dependent on state regulations, and often this career requires being licensed in the state after earning education in the field. When considering how to obtain the educational requirements to become a Private Investigator, a campus-based or online private investigator degree may be required. Some states, however, allow the completion of private investigator certification and/or training programs offered through both online and on-campus colleges and universities to fulfill certification requirements. Once you have earned your PI certificate and have become licensed (where required), there are various careers one can work in:
Self-employed Investigators work independently, or in a private firm, and obtain work on a per-case basis. These cases may range from legal problems and spousal discord to routine security and child custody cases. These investigators may also contract their work out to corporations and law firms in order to assist in more long-term projects as outlined below.
Corporate Investigators are employed by a corporation to perform internal or external investigations as needed. These investigations can range from drug use and internal theft to fraudulent accounting and corporate espionage.
Legal Investigators are employed by private law firms to assist in legal proceedings. Responsibilities in this realm of investigation include preparing criminal defenses, testifying at trial, performing interviews, writing reports, collecting information including photographs and physical evidence, and locating persons of interest or witnesses.
Loss Prevention Investigators are employed by retail establishments such as stores, hotels, and the like. It is their responsibility to prevent both internal and external theft from occurring in these establishments, investigate suspected internal theft, and catch internal and external thefts that do occur. During special events, these investigators may also provide security for the establishment and help to maintain order.
Within any private investigation career, there are several areas where one can develop an expertise. Some areas of specialty include computer forensics investigation, financial investigation, and fraud investigation, among others. Investigators with these specialties can work in any of the above realms of investigation, and mainly focus on cases in their area of expertise.
When a crime occurs, it can shake the security of a community or affect the lives of those living across the globe. The fear of being personally affected by a violent crime can be crippling, but the assurance of a fast response to a crime can do a lot of good in easing the fears of the public. Crimes can range in the difficulty involved with identifying and convicting a suspect, making the investigation of a criminal act and crime scene an important part of the justice system. A well-trained team of Crime Scene Investigators are one of the best ways to reduce the time involved in preventing a criminal from doing more harm, through convicting him or her with the evidence collected from a crime scene.
Crime Scene Investigators are responsible for the actual evidence collection, examination and catalog procedures that help link criminals to crimes that have been committed. These criminal justice professionals have a strong foundation in law enforcement, as well as research and the analysis of evidence found within a crime scene. Many Crime Scene Investigators are called to properly identify, collect, catalog and preserve evidence, while others may specialize in the analysis of clues like fingerprints, computer and digital evidence or ballistics, to name a few.
A professional Crime Scene Investigator can expect to earn an average of $50,000 per year, depending on level of experience, location and education. Those with a degree in crime scene investigation can expect to earn more than a typical criminal justice degree. With the availability of campus-based and online crime scene investigation certifications, criminal justice professionals can easily learn the skills and techniques needed to work as a Crime Scene Investigator.
Much importance has been placed on the rapid solving of crimes, especially with the considerations presented by television shows and movies. While most crimes cannot be solved within an hour, regardless of the level of education and training of Crime Scene Investigators, the services and skills these criminal justice professionals provide is one of the best ways to ensure the safety of the community.
A computer forensics specialist is a member of an important team of investigators that focus on the potential evidence found on computers, mobile phones and devices. Digital evidence has become increasingly important in the evidentiary procedures within law enforcement and judicial systems, with a wide range of applications that can be used to convict or exonerate accused criminals. The men and women who specialize in computer forensics are highly skilled, with a strong educational foundation based upon the curriculum provided through a local college, university or online criminal forensics degree program.
Much of the evidence collected from a computer or other technology-based device is admissible in court under very strict guidelines. Computer hard drives and memory cards can contain information that was thought deleted or erased, providing insight into a criminal’s motivation, crime details or even directly connecting the criminal to a crime. On a mobile phone, text messages and call logs can be used to produce evidence, and even on the Internet, social media websites and web browsing history may be able to find a place in the legal process.
Because of the reliance on computers and other technology at home or at work, the amount of incriminating evidence found on these devices is astounding. A properly trained computer forensics professional is not only able to safely retrieve the information, but can also interpret its nuances for police and law enforcement, as well as during criminal proceedings and trials. Additionally, with the increased availability of programs and devices that help secure computers and hide or completely erase information, computer forensics professionals can also act as consultants to help develop ways to stay ahead of criminal behavior and its presence on computers.
A digital trail of evidence can be one of the most effective ways to prove the guilt or innocence of an accused criminal. In order to properly process this information according to the guidelines of local, state and federal courts, a computer forensics specialist can be a valuable tool in the fight against crime.
With the field of criminal justice evolving and growing at a rapid rate, the ability to teach the various specializations within the field depends on its instructors and teachers, especially the number of educators available. Throughout the educational world of criminal justice, the right instructors and educators are in demand, especially on a college or graduate school level. Several areas across the country are actively seeking post-secondary criminal justice educators, providing a stable career that combines education and criminal justice, as well as competitive pay.
Most Criminal Justice instructors have a broad range of knowledge in the field. With the many specializations of a Criminal Justice professional, educators have the ability to teach law enforcement, cyber- and technology-related concentrations, forensics and crime scene investigation, criminology, rehabilitation, corrections or any number of disciplines. With the advances in online education, its even possible for a criminal justice instructor to work with students across the world, from an office or even the comfort of home, delivering the essentials of a degree in criminal justice or other related discipline.
Teaching Criminal Justice is more than classroom instruction. Since Criminal Justice professionals are usually found “in the field,” a laboratory, detention facility or law enforcement agency, the opportunities for enhanced learning are abundant. Criminal Justice educators can not only be inventive and engaging instructors, but also provide as many “real world” experiences to students through trips to local law enforcement establishments or corrections facilities, or by emulating the experience of a crime scene investigator, cyber security professional or any number of Criminal Justice specializations. The ultimate goal of a Criminal Justice educator is to impart the academic side of the discipline while creating an experience that can serve the student once working as a Criminal Justice professional.
Careers in Criminal Justice are as varied as the professionals who work in the field, and with each concentration, a qualified instructor can make a huge difference in the amount of knowledge gained while in school, as well as career performance once a student enters the work force. As a true multi-faceted study of Criminal Justice, the Criminal Justice Educator plays a vital role in the entire field of Criminal Justice.
Penologists are criminal justice professionals that have researched and studied issues within correctional institutes and rehabilitation programs. These women and men are well versed in the law and legal issues that surround prisons and corrections facilities, as well as the management of the prisons and rehabilitation of the criminals within. Focusing directly on the prisoners, a penologist can work within all levels of government, including local, state and federal jurisdictions.
Throughout a prison’s rehabilitation policies and procedures, a penologist plays a critical role as a liaison between the prison population, corrections and probation professionals and sometimes as an advocate for prisoners. Understanding the nuances within prisons and correctional facilities requires an individual with a wide range of knowledge that includes law, criminal justice, sociology and psychology. A Penologist typically holds a degree in any of those concentrations, such as a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, but may also have experience in justice administration or criminology.
Penologists that work within prisons and correctional facilities can also have a role in the creation, implementation and management of new policies that affect prisoners. Through the study of the effectiveness of different programs that focus on drug, alcohol, or occupational rehabilitation, a Penologist can help define a set of programs that can assist in the overall recovery of those incarcerated.
With several factors increasing the overall population within prisons and correctional facilities, a career in penology can be one of the more stable career paths today. With its focus on prisoners and convict rehabilitation over just the management of the prison itself, penology gives criminal justice a more humane feel, especially when it comes to the lives of inmates. The field of criminal justice is considered to be a smart choice for those looking to make a difference in the world, while pursuing a career that is not only full of challenges but opportunities.
The cost of divorce can, at times, be a deciding factor in the approach to the dissolution of a marriage. Lawyers and attorneys can charge daunting, prohibitive fees that discourage each party from entering into a legal battle over property, alimony, child support or custody, and many couples come to agreements that do not fully consider many of the legal rights afforded under the law of a state or local jurisdiction. Additionally, the court system is so flooded with these types of cases, it can take years for a divorce to be settled, causing additional debt to incur, not to mention frustration and resentment.
Mediation is a well-respected alternative to a typical courtroom battle. A mediator, arbitrator or mediation professional is a trusted, unbiased counselor with legal knowledge that can help define and explain the rights of each party within a divorce. A mediator not only attempts to protect the rights of those involved in a divorce, but also serves as a third party source of compromise. Stemming from a legal background, a mediator can be a retired lawyer or attorney, or have experience in counseling or other dispute arbitration. A well-rounded program that focuses on the skills and education needed within mediation can be found at many colleges, universities and online mediation training programs.
One of the more popular methods for reducing litigation costs, mediation also serves to help heal the hurt and emotions of the parties involved. A mediator is seen as an ally to the parties involved, instead of as an adversary, like the opposing council can appear. By presenting an unbiased image, the mediator provides insight and information throughout the mediation process and can even help a divorced couple begin a new life on less emotional footing. Mediators are also more about the business of divorce, eliminating the need to hear the details of a marriage that is no longer working for the parties involved, instead of presenting those claims within a courtroom.
Keeping the courts clear of unnecessary litigation surrounding divorce saves the time and money of citizens and enourages a more well-balanced approach to marriage dissolution. Mediators provide services that help eliminate the high cost of divorce, and can even reduce the anger and resentment that occurs while couples face divorce.
posted by My Criminal Justice Degree @ 11:38 AM 
