Cold Case Homicide Seminar

CJ 485 Cold Case Homicide Seminar

Applications will be accepted for the Winter 2025 Semester from September 15, 2024 until 4:00pm Friday, October 18, 2024

In collaboration with the Michigan State Police (MSP), the NMU Criminal Justice Department is offering two sections of CJ 485 Cold Case Homicide Seminar during the Winter 2025 Semester.

Available Sections:

Each student will be assigned to one of the following sections:

Section I (8 students) will be held on Tuesdays/Thursdays, 9 am to 10:40 am
Section II (8 students) will be held on Tuesdays/Thursdays, 12 pm to 1:40 pm

Course Description:

Students will work directly with Michigan State Police (MSP) detectives in their investigation of a cold case homicide. Students will gather, review, annotate, and analyze police investigative files and use such information to develop investigative leads which will be provided to detectives for their investigation. Special attention will also be given to a variety of forensic disciplines, technologies, and investigative strategies used in these types of specialized investigations. This course provides a hands-on application of best practices and procedures in relation to cold case units in law enforcement agencies.

Student Selection Process - Apply:

Only a limited number of students will be selected to participate in this course. The Program accepts applications from students across NMU (all major and minor programs are encouraged). To be considered for the team you must meet the following criteria:

Be an enrolled NMU student for the semester in which you are applying
Hold a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Hold at least a junior standing by the semester in which you are applying (earned at least 55 credit hours)
Have no other classes or work scheduled for the course dates/times in which you are applying

To apply for the Fall semesters the program starts accepting applications in February of each year. To apply for Winter semesters, the program starts accepting applications in September.

Applications for the Winter 2025 semester are now open. Applications will be accepted from 9/15/2024 until 4:00 pm on Friday, 10/18/2024. Please follow the application process provided below.

Student Application Process:

Applicants must submit all of the following items as attachments in an email to Instructor Christopher MacMaster at: cmacmast@nmu.edu

Statement of interest (attach as a PDF document) answering ALL of the following:
- Why are you interested in this course?
- What are your career goals?
- Please provide your major(s) and minor(s)
- What will your class rank be for the semester you are applying for (junior or senior)?
- When do you anticipate completing your degree at NMU (year & semester)?
- How does this course fit into your overall career goals?
- Indicate what you believe most qualifies you for selection
- Your GPA along with your current class standing (junior, senior, etc.)
- Identify courses and experiences you’ve had that you feel have helped prepare you for this course
Name of an NMU faculty member as a reference (list in the email) who we could follow-up with who is capable of judging your potential in this program Current resume (PDF document)
Your latest unofficial degree evaluation (PDF document), not a college transcript

Any missing information in an application will be grounds for removal from the selection process.

Email all of the above to Instructor Christopher MacMaster at cmacmast@nmu.edu by the posted due date.

This information will be used by the selection committee to identify students who will be selected for this course. A limited number of students will be interviewed for the final selection. Any missing information will be grounds for removal from the selection process.

SELECTION PROCESS: This information will be used by the selection committee to identify students who will be considered for this course.

INTERVIEW: A limited number of students will be selected for an interview as part of the final selection process.

Areas to be considered in the selection process:

Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Maturity and Professionalism
High motivation level
Patience
Creativity
Persistence
Seniority (class standing)
Strong research skills
Enthusiasm for the job

Students will be expected to work outside of the scheduled class period when required. Full participation in this course is required.

Because students will have access to police records and evidence in an open, active investigation, participants cannot discuss or reveal case information to unauthorized persons. Violations are punishable by law and will result in immediate suspension from the class and a failing grade.

Students must sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) upon being accepted into the Cold Case Program. Students cannot be part of the program if convicted of a felony crime. Final selection will be made after successful completion of the following requirements to be administered by MSP:

Background investigation
Criminal history query
Fingerprint check

Applicant Deadline/Important Dates

All applications must be received no later than 4:00 pm on Friday, October 18, 2024 in order to be considered for selection into this course.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible during the open application period.
No late applications will be accepted.
Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted by email in order to schedule an interview date/time.
Students selected for the Program for Winter 2025 will be notified via email by 11/6/2024.

Questions may be directed to Instructor Christopher MacMaster by email at cmacmast@nmu.edu. We thank you for your interest in the program.