Forensic Science Certification Programs
Northwestern University Center for Public Safety is excited to announce our new Forensic Certification Programs. Each program is designed for those seeking to obtain professional recognition for their expert skills and capabilities as they advance their careers in specific areas of forensic investigations through a combination of hands-on skills and theoretical knowledge, taught by practitioners in the field.
Students may follow the path for one or more certifications, choosing from Crime Scene Forensic Investigator Certification (CSFIC), Forensic Police PHotographer Certification (FPPC), and Forensic Blood Stain Investigator Certification (FBSIC). Each path offers both required and elective courses.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more, email nucps@northwestern.edu or call (800) 323-4011.
Available Forensic Certification Tracks
Crime Scene Forensic Investigator Certification (CSFIC)
The CSFIC is an optimal track for current and prospective forensic investigators, evidence technicians, and other officers who seek to improve performance and obtain professional recognition for their skills and capabilities as they become subject matter experts in forensic investigations. Required CSFIC courses ensure students obtain fundamental instruction regarding crime scene forensics, while elective courses offer augmented or advanced knowledge to increase expertise in key areas of forensic investigation.
CSFIC requires five core courses and two elective courses for a total of 7 required courses, plus a final certification exam.
Forensic Blood Stain Investigator Certification (FBSIC)
The FBSIC track is for current and prospective forensic investigators, evidence technicians, and other officers who seek to obtain professional recognition for their skills and capabilities as they become subject matter experts in the analysis of blood stains to advance criminal investigations. National blood stain and spatter experts instruct students in blood stain identification, patterns, analysis, and more during the five required courses. One elective course and a final certification exam also are required.
Forensic Police Photographer Certification (FPPC)
The FPPC track is perfect for current and prospective police photographers, forensic technicians, and other officers who seek to obtain professional recognition for their skills and capabilities as they become experts in visually recording crime scenes and evidence of criminal activity for the purposes of aiding and augmenting criminal investigations. Students who successfully complete the FPPC track obtain demonstrable knowledge in forensic digital photography, along with enhanced knowledge of key forensic areas through two elective courses. The program culminates in a final exam.
Certification Program Eligibility
Law enforcement officers and civilians who currently work in agencies that employ individuals to conduct forensic crime scene investigations, recover evidence from crime scenes, photograph evidence, analyze blood stains, or supervise those who perform these duties are welcome to register for classes in the NUCPS forensic certification tracks or to enroll in one of these courses outside the certification track. NUCPS does not require an application, an entrance exam, or other prequalifying tests.Certificate Track Requirements
To successfully obtain certification, students must complete the required core courses and electives within their certification area. The requirements for each area are listed below. Click on a course to view its upcoming availability and description.* All courses may also be taken individually, outside the path to any certification.
Former NUCPS students who received the NUCPS Award of Achievement in Forensics or who filled the course requirements for certification prior to the creation of the certification programs will be eligible to take the certification exam and / or the relevant certification review course, (which includes the exam).
Crime Scene Forensic Investigator Certification (CSFIC)
Required Courses (5):
Electives (2):
Certification Exam
Forensic Blood Stain Investigator Certification (FBSIC)
Required Courses (5):
Electives (1):
- Fingerprint and Gross Specimen Photography
- Laboratory Photography
Certification Exam
Forensic Police Photographer Certification (FPPC)
Required Courses (5):
Electives (2):
Certification Exam
*One or more courses may not be currently scheduled.
Featured Instructor
Don Ostermeyer
Don Ostermeyer possesses 45 years of law enforcement experience, including 20 years with the Orlando (FL) Police Department, and has extensive experience in criminal investigations and forensics, areas in which he is a nationally recognized expert. He was instrumental in the development of the International Association of Identification (IAI) certification process and is an IAI-certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst and Bloodstain Pattern Analyst. He is an instructor for NUCPS forensic courses and is the director/ consultant of Doje’s Forensic Supplies, Inc.Certification Exams
Each track requires students to pass a final certification exam with a score of 75% or higher. This certification exam contains no less than 50 questions, which are derived from key learning objectives from each of the track's required courses. Students who pass the final exam receive a certificate and plaque.
Those students who fail their first certification exam may retake the test two times. Students may not retake a certification exam more than twice in any 12-month period. After a third failure, students seeking certification must take (or retake) another NUCPS forensic certification course (excluding the Certification Review course) to become eligible to sit again for the exam.
NUCPS Award for Academic Excellence in Forensics
Students who achieve a perfect score (100%) on their certification exam — or score a 94% on their certification exam and a 92% average score in all qualified individual course exams — receive the NUCPS Award for Academic Excellence in Forensics. This significant achievement is marked with the presentation of an additional plaque.
Certification Management
5-Year Renewals
NUCPS forensic certifications must be renewed every five years. This required renewal helps ensure that our certified professionals maintain standards of up-to-date professional competency. Two options are available for students seeking recertification:
- Certification Review Course with Exam (16 hours total)
- Recertification Instruction with Exam (8 hours total)
Former NUCPS students who received the NUCPS Award of Achievement in Forensics or who filled the course requirements for certification prior to the creation of the certification programs will be eligible to take the certification exam and / or the relevant certification review course, which includes the exam.
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