Online Criminology and Forensic Science Certificate Course Australia

Explore how criminal psychology and forensic science contribute to fair trials and public safety. Whether you’re looking to enter the field or build on your current skills, this course combines psychological insight with forensic technique to prepare you for a real-world career.

The Advanced Certificate in Criminal Psychology and Forensic Science offers a comprehensive and practical understanding of the criminal mind, along with the scientific foundations that support the pursuit of justice.

In this criminal psychology and forensic science course, you’ll explore why people commit crimes, how professionals investigate and analyse crime scenes, and how psychological evidence is used in courtrooms. You will explore criminal profiling, the psychology of violent crime, the role of mental illness, terrorism and organised crime, youth crime, and the cycle of abuse.

You will learn about criminal escalation and radicalisation, how to assess risk and plan rehabilitation. You will explore evidence collection, DNA analysis, fingerprinting, toxicology, and digital forensics to understand how to preserve, analyse, and present forensic evidence, skills essential for both lab and fieldwork.

On completion of this course, you will have a solid understanding of how psychology and forensic science intersect within the legal system.

Printed learning materials may be available free to print for this course. Requests can be made by contacting us.

Course Structure

Unit - Criminal Psychology

Unit 1 – Introduction to Criminal Psychology

Overview of criminal psychology
Psychological theories of crime
The role of forensic psychologists
Nature vs nurture in criminal behaviour
Psychosocial impact of crime

Unit 2 – Psychological Theories of Crime

Overview of psychological theories
Biological theories of crime
Psychological theories of crime
Social theories of crime
Psychopathy
Anti-Social Personality Disorder
Cognitive distortions in offenders
Mental illness and crime
Criminal minds – case studies

Unit 3 – Criminal Profiling and Investigative Psychology

Overview of criminal profiling and investigative psychology
History and development of offender profiling
FBI profiling
Statistical profiling
Psychological autopsies
Crime scene analysis
Behavioural patterns and risk assessments
Famous criminal cases

Unit 4 – The Psychology of Violent and Sexual Offenders

Overview of violent and sexual offenders
Understanding violent behaviour
Types of violence
Risk factors
Triggers and patterns
Serial killers
Mass murderers
Sexual offenders and psychological motivations
The cycle of abuse
Criminal escalation
Rehabilitation and treatment

Unit 5 – Juvenile Delinquency and Youth Crime

Juvenile delinquency and youth crime
Psychological factors of youth crime
Environmental factors of youth crime
Early warning signs
The impact of childhood trauma
Intervention and rehabilitation programs

Unit 6 – Criminal Psychology and the Court System

The role of Forensic Psychologists in court
Criminal responsibility
Mental health assessments
Eyewitness testimony
The insanity defence
False confessions

Unit 7 – Terrorism and Organised Crime Psychology

Psychological drivers of terrorism
Terrorism in Australia
Radicalisation and extremist behaviour
Youth and radicalisation
Organised syndicates
The role of fear and coercion
Psychological tactics in counter-terrorism

Unit 8 – Rehabilitation, Risk Assessment and Crime Prevention

Risk assessment tools for predicting recidivism
Crime prevention strategies
Violent offenders and rehabilitation
Community programs
Ethical challenges in criminal psychology
Emerging research

Unit - Forensic Science

Unit 1 – Introduction to Forensic Science

Introduction to forensic science
What is Forensic Science?
Key roles in forensic science
History of forensic science
Crime scene to courtroom
Ethics and legal frameworks

Unit 2 – Crime Scene Investigation

Crime scene investigation
Crime scene preservation and safety
Evidence recognition and documentation
Photography, sketching and notes
Crime scene protocols
Forensics and technology

Unit 3 – Physical Evidence and Trace Analysis

Physical evidence and trace analysis
Types of physical evidence
Collection and packaging
Laboratory techniques
Contamination risk and minimisation

Unit 4 – Biological and DNA Evidence

Biological and DNA evidence
Blood, saliva, semen and tissue analysis
DNA profiling basics
Matching samples to suspects
National DNA Database
Forensic science DNA case studies

Unit 5 – Fingerprints and Impressions

Fingerprints and impressions
Fingerprint collection methods
Pattern types and identification
Shoeprints, type marks and toolmarks
Comparative analysis
Limitations and error risks

Unit 6 – Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis

Forensic toxicology and drug analysis
Understanding toxicology
Common substances tested
Sample collection and analysis
Interpretation of results
Sample types: blood, urine and hair
Screening and confirmatory tests
Role in deaths, DUI and workplace cases

Unit 7 – Digital and Cyber Forensics

Digital and Cyber Forensics
Basics of digital evidence
Devices and data storage
Recovery, analysis and reporting
Internet and social media investigations
Legal and privacy considerations
Digital forensic case studies

Unit 8 – Forensic Science in the Legal System

Forensic Science in the Legal System
Expert witnesses and courtroom procedures
Reporting findings
Admissibility of evidence
Challenges and controversies in forensic science
Case studies

Estimated Duration

100 hours

Course Delivery and Start

Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online

Assessment

Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.

Approval and Recognition

Australian Online Courses Pty Ltd is an approved and recognised member of IARC. The IARC is an International association that recognises quality and excellence in tertiary education providers.

Career Outcomes

Professional Development For:-

Correctional Officers/Personnel
Police Officers
Criminal Justice Personnel

My experience has been nothing far from amazing. All the content in the modules was structured to an easy understanding and allowed for a lot of self study and investigating.