Criminlogy or Criminal Justice?

Question

I want to become a forensic crime scene investigator and I don't know what I should major in because some of my college letters that I recieve say criminal Justice and some says criminlogy

Answer 1

Neither are really that good to be a crime scene investigator. You need to understand the science behind it. So, do computer science if you want to figure out computer crimes. Bio or go on to med school for some of the DNA stuff, etc.

Criminal Justice is more practical. Court procedures, etc.

Criminology is more theoretical. Why people commit crimes and how to prevent it from a societal level (public policy, not arresting them). Passing laws.

Answer 2

Either course is probably fine as long as you have a strong science background. Most agencies provide classroom and hands-on training for their new employees. Might be wise to firgure out if you want to specialize before you pick the course. Figure out if you want to examine prints, blood/DNA, crime-scene reconstruction, firearms, narcotics, traffic accidents, etc. Some of the larger agencies let their criminologists transfer within units as well. So I recommend you narrow down your goal and find the science that will support it. The other classes, while helpful, aren't necessarily as important.

Answer 3

Although I think that some schools use the titles interchangeably, it appears that your goal would suit you better for Criminology, since "ology" means "the science of". Look at the coursework they offer (this may be on their websites, under their Bulletin), rather than just the brochures you are sent to see what kind of approach they are taking. If they are just training you to be a police officer, that isn't what you are looking for.