Bachelor's Degree in
Criminalistics and Forensic Sciences

The Bachelor's Degree in Criminalistics and Forensic Sciences opens doors in labor fields such as:

Public Sector

• Assistant Expert.
• Expert.
• Head of Office at the Institute of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences.
• Curricular improvement for members of the Public Force, especially members of the information and investigation area.
• Public Prosecutor's Office and Judiciary, among others.

Private Sector

• Independent private expert.
• Private expert for law firm.
• Expert specialized in traffic incidents with insurance companies.
• Banks.
• Security companies, among others.

• Original and copy (collation) of high school diploma and credits approved by MEDUCA or its equivalent (in case of being a foreigner, the documents must be apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the respective country and have the endorsement of the Ministry of Education of Panama).
• Two photocopies of the identity card. In case the applicant is a minor or a foreigner, two copies of the birth certificate or two copies of the passport, respectively, must be submitted.
• Two passport-size photographs.
• Medical certificate of good health.
• Hold an interview with the selection team.
• Fill out the application form to join the program.

• • The permanence in the University and in the Bachelor's Degree in Criminalistics and Forensic Sciences will depend solely and exclusively on the student's motivation, capacity and vision to obtain the chosen academic degree.

• • In the same way, the student must keep in mind that his or her general average or cumulative index in his or her career cannot be less than 71, based on a maximum score of 100.

• • Respect the Disciplinary Regulations of the University.
  • Maintain current payments.
  • Comply with a minimum of 71 percentage points in the different subjects and an academic index of not less than one (1).
  • Punctual attendance to academic events and sessions.
  • Ethical and respectful conduct in the representations of the institution.

To obtain the title of Technician in Forensic Science, the following is required:

• • Pass all subjects in the study plan with a minimum grade of C or 71 points.
  • Maintain a cumulative academic index of not less than one (1.0) on a scale of one to three.
  • Maintain an average equal to or higher than 71 and have no subjects lower than 71.
  • Be in good standing with the institution.
  • Approve the subjects of English and computer science.
  • Complete a professional internship of 160 hours.
  • Elaborate and support the internship report.

To obtain the Bachelor's Degree in Criminalistics and Forensic Sciences is required:

• Pass all the subjects contemplated in the study plan.
• Maintain a cumulative academic index of not less than one (1.0), on a scale of one to three.
• Maintain an average higher than 71 and have no subjects lower than 71. On a scale of 0 to 100.
• Satisfactorily complete the 180-hour supervised internship.
• Elaborate and support the professional practice report.
• Approval of English and computer science.
• Be in good standing with the institution.
• Complete and approve one of the following requirements:
  – Elaborate, support and approve a project ( degree project) in their area of knowledge.
  – Enroll and take the first four-month period of a specialization related to their career.
  – Submit and pass a general knowledge test.

Cognitive traits (knowledge):

• Will organize and develop information gathering processes for its subsequent analysis.
• Know and understand the Panamanian reality, national policies, conceptions and judicial administration.
• Analyze information and research processes in aspects related to criminalistics.
• Design, organize, implement and evaluate legal procedure programs in the judicial branch.
• Will carry out studies and diagnoses of realities based on specific criminal problems.

• Will elaborate technical studies related to the prints and traces of the investigated fact and to the identification and filiation of persons.
• Perform expert reports on the identification of the persons involved in a crime and the elements involved in it.
• Carry out investigations on criminal situations and facts, by means of methods and techniques of identification of the persons involved and the elements involved.
• Handle and master computer programs and the Internet.

• Will demonstrate responsibility in the exercise of your profession.
• Manage work teams in the specialty.
• Provide solutions to various problems related to the criminal phenomenon.
• Implement techniques of the scientific method by means of which physical evidence will be transformed into legal evidence.
• Optimize the development of judicial processes.
• Will demonstrate positive attitudes for the permanent and systematic acquisition of scientific and technological knowledge.

• Will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams in the search for solutions to community problems related to security.
• Participate in the design of criminalistic policies in public and private organizations.
• Advise on criminal situations and events and on methods and techniques for the identification of the persons involved and the elements involved in the crime.