Program overview
Criminal Investigation sounds cool, like TV crime scene experts, but the actual learning is more solid. Simply put, this major studies how to detect crimes, collect evidence, identify suspects, and finally crack the case. Core courses include crime scene investigation, forensic science, investigative interrogation, economic crime investigation, and cybercrime investigation. You'll learn how to use physical evidence like fingerprints, DNA, and surveillance footage, as well as criminal psychology analysis and interrogation techniques. Chinese universities have unique advantages in this field, such as People's Public Security University of China and Criminal Investigation Police University of China, which have close cooperation with local public security bureaus, giving students opportunities to work on real cases and learn the latest technologies (e.g., big data investigation, digital forensics). This major suits those who are detail-oriented, curious, enjoy reasoning, and are not afraid of complex situations. If you're passionate about law and justice but don't want to sit in an office all day, this major will be a great fit.