Blood spatter analysis, bite mark examination, and identifying how maggots can assist with the decomposition timeline of a dead body are just some of the lessons to be included in a revised subject offering for Bachelor of Criminology and Justice students at USC.

Program coordinator Dr Lara Christensen said the expanded subject of Homicide, Investigations and Forensic Science would be available to students at USC’s Sunshine Coast campus from 2020, and the Moreton Bay campus from 2022.

“Forensics is a topic that we are always asked about at our Open Days, so we’re thrilled to be able to now meet that student demand,” Dr Christensen said.

“The addition of forensic science content to the degree will open up even more graduate opportunities for our students, especially those who have a desire to become specialist detectives.

“As of next year, we’ll also be growing our Criminal Profiling subject to include intelligence, as well as presenting a new subject, Introduction to Cybercrime.

“These revised and new subjects ensure the degree is keeping pace with the modern criminal landscape that is changing constantly and at a rapid pace.”

Dr Christensen said the cybercrime coursework had been developed in consultation with USC’s renowned Professor of Cybersecurity David Lacey.

“The subject will cover a number of elements, including investigating how cyber criminals steal data, identities and intellectual property, and how law enforcement operates to identify and prosecute these offenders,” Dr Christensen said.

“Cybercrime, fraud and white-collar crime costs Australia more each year than violent crime, so this is a sector that’s only going to continue to grow and require a skilled taskforce of graduates in the future.”

The Criminology and Justice degree will also offer a new third-year subject next year, Working with Victims and Offenders, as well as an additional Professional Development subject to assist students with workplace preparation.

The effort of USC’s Criminology and Justice Team hasn’t gone unnoticed. The team recently was awarded the 2019 Vice-Chancellor and President's Awards for Excellence Award (Learning & Teaching).

Applications are still open to study at USC, including USC Moreton Bay, in 2020. Go to www.usc.edu.au/learn for details.