The Forensic Science program at San José State University is housed within the Department of Justice Studies, and aims to produce professional forensic scientists, with adaptable scientific skills accompanied by a thorough grounding in theory and practice. It offers students hands-on training in crime laboratory methodologies and crime scene investigation techniques to prepare them for a career in federal or state police services, national and international forensic institutions, government laboratories, and private organizations.
Major shifts in the information technology landscape over the past two decades have greatly increased the importance of proper collection and analysis of digital evidence. Through a lab-based, applied, and investigative approach, the San José State University Forensic Science Program has taken up the challenge to train the next generation of qualified experts in this emerging field by offering a new major concentration in Digital Evidence.
Students will have well-rounded base knowledge in forensic science and computer science, supplemented with relevant courses in justice studies and technology. They will then take specialized digital forensics courses that provide background in the subject matter along with practical experience through mock investigations.
• Median annual salary of $99,730 for information security analysts.*
• 32% projected job growth for digital evidence examiners through 2028.*
• Master industry-standard skills for programming languages, data structure development, forensic analysis software, investigative procedures, forensic report writing, and evidentiary best practices.
• Internships and career opportunities in the Silicon Valley.
• Take advantage of the newly built SJSU Cybersecurity Center for hands-on experience and training.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2020) at: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
• Conduct a digital forensic investigation from beginning (evidence acquisition) to conclusion (forensic reporting).
• Develop specialized digital evidence-gathering for mobile, remote, cloud, servers, computers, and embedded systems.
• Conduct incident response investigations, leveraging network and memory analysis to track advanced persistent threat teams.
• Use industry tools to gather, analyze, and interpret digital evidence.
• Provide expert testimony on forensic cases.
• Develop analytical requirements and communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Understand the application of science to criminal and civil laws
• Collaborate with private sector companies and government agencies.
A range of career opportunities are available in digital evidence. Given the cyber industry influence in the Bay Area, along with the growing role of digital environments in society, SJSU is uniquely positioned to broaden professional opportunities in cyber-related fields. Possible careers in digital evidence include:
• Private companies (e.g. Visa, Google, Target)
• Law enforcement (e.g. District/US attorney, State/Local Police, Interpol)
• Counter-intelligence (e.g. CIA, FBI, USSS)
• Military and defense
Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification courses will be taught by laboratory staff to law enforcement officers, as part of their required continuing education hours, to enhance their knowledge and skills in DE processing and evaluation. After taking the courses, agents will have the opportunity to use the laboratory, and receive support, to process their own evidence. This will serve to improve the current workforce knowledge while reducing evidence turnaround times and subsequent backlogs.
