Growing up in a law enforcement family, Jizella Alday knew the career direction she wanted to take.
“It was only natural for me to be inspired by what my family does,” says Alday, who recently earned her certificate in Crime Scene Investigation at Norco College and plans to transfer to Cal State San Bernardino for her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. “I knew I wanted something hands-on, meaningful, and include a touch of science into the mix.”
Alday’s experience reflects a growing need for trained forensic professionals throughout the Inland Empire/Desert region. Beginning in fall 2027, Norco College will expand that opportunity with a new Associate of Science in Forensic Studies, the only program of its kind in the region.
Norco Administration of Justice professor Dr. Sigrid Williams is spearheading the new program and says the curriculum was designed with students’ long-term success in mind. Along with professional training, students will build a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, English, and communications. “We did this purposely to ensure students would be successful transferring into a bachelor’s program or going immediately into the field,” she says.
Students will receive hands-on instruction in crime scene processing, documentation, investigative strategies, evidence collection and preservation, fingerprint examination, crime scene photography, and microscopic analysis.
The degree emphasizes analytical reasoning, scientific inquiry, and effective communication as students learn to identify and process evidence, manage chain of custody, and understand legal considerations related to physical evidence.
Like the certificate program, the new degree will include “mock scenarios” where students simulate investigations.
“The activities (mock scenarios) were hands-on, informative, and created conversation amongst the students,” Alday says. “It benefits the students to practice mock scenarios and understand how crucial each and every step is when it comes to a crime scene investigation. They also emphasize the importance of fostering communication and working as a team.”
Currently, Alday is a cadet in the forensics department at the Corona Police Department.
“It’s been a wonderful opportunity! I learn from veterans with years upon years under their belts, sharing their experience,” she says. “The first-hand experience from my law enforcement agency and the classes taken at Norco truly mingled together to reinforce everything I have learned.”
Alday’s training is likely to open many doors, with demand increasing for forensic professionals nationally and regionally.
That demand is creating opportunities for graduates. “Currently, agencies are short-staffed,” Williams explains. “The labor market data indicates that we have a regional supply gap in criminal investigations, forensic analysis, forensic labs, and investigative agencies.”
Nationally, the number of Forensic Science Technician jobs is expected to increase 13% from 2024 to 2034, which is much higher than the 4% average for all occupations (bls.gov). In the Inland Empire, that number is a little higher at 14% through 2028, with 44 annual job openings (Centers of Excellence).
The new degree program is expected to produce about 20 to30 graduates annually once fully established and will complement existing Norco Administration of Justice degrees and certificates focused on law enforcement, corrections, and general justice-system foundations.
Alday has high praise for her experience studying crime scene investigation at Norco.
“The professors are incredibly welcoming! Not once had I felt hesitant to ask a billion questions about a certain topic/subject we are learning, and the classes themselves were engaging for every student involved.”
Other colleges in the region offering coursework and programs related to crime scene investigation include Mt. San Jacinto College, Moreno Valley College, Riverside City College, and San Bernardino Valley College.