Criminal Investigations: Explorations at Berkeley

Understand the science, psychology, forensic puzzles + legal arguments of criminal investigations

From TV franchises like Law & Order all the way back to Edgar Allen Poe's Murders in the Rue Morgue, published almost 200 years ago—why have we remained so fascinated by crime, and the investigations and courtroom drama that stem from it, for so long? Gain insights and perspective in EXPLO’s criminal investigations pre-college program as you peel back the many layers of our criminal justice process.

Session 1
Residential: June 30 - July 13
Commuter: July 1 - July 12
Session 2
Residential: July 14 - July 27
Commuter: July 15 - July 26
Location:
University of California, Berkeley
Staff to Student Ratio 1:6
Tuition
Residential: $6,400
Commuter: $3,190

Tuition + Financial Aid

Admission Process Enroll Now

Chris Huntington

Chris Huntington has had a distinguished career as a federal agent and military investigator. In his nearly two-decade career with two federal agencies, Chris worked not only throughout the United States but across the globe conducting criminal investigations and intelligence operations. His work as a special agent has included joint task force operations with the FBI and collaboration with law enforcement agencies at the federal, military, state, and local levels, and he has worked on areas as diverse as underwater robotics, to assist with anti-smuggling efforts at sea.

In his current work as a federal agent, he focuses on complex cases of fraud and abuse within the government, and programs funded by the government. Chris also supervises and trains special agents throughout the western United States. Outside of work, Chris is a licensed skydiver and avid trail and marathon runner. This criminal investigations program for teens is a unique opportunity to work with a top expert in the field.

Investigating 21st-century Crimes

Learn from law enforcement officers and forensic scientists about how crimes of all sorts are investigated, in both the digital and physical world. Tackle case studies that engage your critical thinking and deductive reasoning skills.

Explosives Investigation

In this criminal investigations pre-college program, you will go behind the scenes for a training exercise with a major metropolitan police department at a state-of-the-art bomb unit training facility. There, bomb unit instructors will blow up a vehicle. You will explore the use of specialized tools and equipment to safely locate, identify, recover, disarm, and dispose of dangerous weapons.

UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Lab

Join a team of scientists at the world’s leading veterinary forensic lab. Learn how they work with investigators in a wide variety of cases, ranging from theft, animal cruelty, and animal attacks to “human” crimes like homicide where animal evidence can provide valuable links between the suspect and victim. Explore lab processes, dive into case examples hinging on forensic animal DNA evidence, and discover the many potential sample sources and species available for testing through veterinary genetic forensics.

Evidence on Trial

Using examples of real cases, explore what rules govern whether evidence can be used at trial, and what steps investigators must take to be sure they conduct a thorough investigation while respecting the rights of the accused.

Prosecution + Defense Strategy

Meet with attorneys and investigators from local agencies to explore the role of public defenders in both courtroom legal defense and in the investigation to prepare that defense.

Experience a Day in the Life with Gil

Explorations in Criminal Investigations

What Lights Me Up:

“I love making apps. I’ve built three so far and I just got one into the Apple store. I also love anime. Attack on Titan. And yes, I’m actually one of those people who likes spending time with my family!”

Gil's Schedule

Program description

In this immersive criminal investigations pre-college program, you’ll integrate the rigor of forensic science with the strategy of police work and the nuances of criminal law. Engage with seasoned investigators and legal professionals to peel back the layers of complex criminal cases. Learn to navigate the interplay between field work and the courtroom, understand the science behind evidence, and explore important ethical considerations. Collaborate on mock investigations, unravel forensic puzzles, and hone your ability to argue the letter of the law.

While you'll learn cutting-edge investigative techniques, forensics, and rules of evidence in this criminal investigations program for teens, you'll also discover why criminal investigations loom so large in the popular imagination. In all of their many aspects, they satisfy our desire to see things that others miss, untangle complex puzzles, explore people's motivations and psychology, and argue a point through a thicket of rules to a conclusion—and, hopefully, justice.

Advisors + Faculty + Speakers

Take a look at some of the advisors, program faculty, and speakers over the years to get a sense of who has had a hand in shaping our curriculum. You get the real deal here at EXPLO.

Jill Wichlens, JD

Retired Appellate Assistant Federal Public Defender

Saul Kassin Ph.D.

Distinguished Professor of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Karen Smith

Forensic Specialist, Bare Bones Consulting

Brig Barker

Retired FBI Special Agent

Chris Ferguson Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist + Professor of Psychology, Stetson University

Matthew Steiner

Detective, New York City Police Department Crime Scene Unit

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D.

Professor of Forensic Psychology, DeSales University

Daniele Podini

Department Chair, Forensic Sciences, George Washington University

Preview college life at a world-class university

Whether as a residential student living on campus with a roommate and eating in the dining hall, or as a commuter joining us for the day and optional evenings, you’ll experience life in one of the country’s most renowned academic capitals. Stroll among the famous campus redwoods or explore the bustling college town right outside. Nearby, you’ll find arty San Francisco, high-tech Silicon Valley, and beautiful beaches.

Campus Life at Berkeley

Criminal Investigations: Explorations at Berkeley

Immersive criminal investigations pre-college program

Understand the science, psychology, forensic puzzles + legal arguments of criminal investigations

Explore the intersections of law, science + society

Lead Instructor

Criminal Investigations

Chris Huntington