Founded in 1916, the American Institute of Applied Science is internationally recognized for its training of professionals in the field of forensic identification and investigation. The school is located at the Sirchie Finger Print Laboratories complex in Youngsville, North Carolina.

Mission
In the field of forensic identification and investigation, the American Institute of Applied Science offers a program of study with a twofold objective:

1. To train men and women not currently engaged in law enforcement or a protective service to perform the duties of an identification technician or investigator efficiently and capably; and

2. To offer those already employed in such a position the requisite training for their vocational upgrading and for judicial recognition of their qualifications.
The school considers its training program a stimulus for continued study and research while "on-the-job" or before entrance into one of the numerous branches of forensic science.

What The AIAS has to offer you
The law enforcement community is in continuous need for personnel who have an educational background in various aspects of forensic investigation. The American Institute of Applied Science exists to aid in fulfilling this need.

In fact, the American Institute of Applied Science developed the home study correspondence course expressly for students who work full time or are active in other full-time educational programs. Students have the opportunity to learn at their own pace, without strict deadlines.

The courses offered are designed to teach, in an accessible format, the complexities of forensic science to students who are new to the subject, or to experienced investigators who are interested in using the information to complement their on-the-job experiences.

Consequently, more than 200,000 men and women have achieved a high degree of professional experience and personal achievement as a result of their graduation from
the American Institute of Applied Science, the best correspondence course of its kind. Thousands of AIAS graduates are law enforcement professionals who hold important positions in the field of criminal identification and forensic science. And nearly 350 law enforcement agencies throughout the world accept or require this program for positions in identification bureaus and crime labs.

In the twenty-first century, more and more graduates of the American Institute of Applied Science will find themselves uniquely qualified to compete in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. Why wait any longer? Now is the time to invest in the future, and to reassess career directions, personal interests and talents.

Course Curriculum
The American Institute of Applied Science curriculum is comprised of a series of lessons on a variety of topics in the field of forensic science. The lessons are grouped as follows:

Basic Forensic Science Program
This program is designed to provide a fundamental background in forensic science to law enforcement professionals and others who wish to pursue a career in criminal investigation.
For those who are interested in receiving college credits, this program is the equivalent of 6 semester hours.
The material offers the student an opportunity to learn the general principles of forensic science as it relates to criminal investigations.

Program 101

1. Course 101F, Fingerprint Classification and Identification
   
2. Course 101M, Modus Operandi
   
3. Course 101C, Criminal Investigation
   
4. Course 101FI, Firearms Identification
   
5. Course 101Q, Questioned Documents
   
6. Course 101P, Police Photography

Advanced forensic Science Program
Designed especially for law enforcement professional's who have a background in forensic applications, this option allows the student to gain a greater understanding of the processes involved in forensic investigations.
For those who are interested in receiving college credits, this program is the equivalent of 3 semester hours.
The material features topics on the cutting edge of today's criminalistics field.

Program 201

1. Course 201F, Fundamentals of Forensic Investigation
   
2. Course 201T, Trace Evidence and Its Significance
   
3. Course 201A, Fundamentals of Arson and Explosion Investigations
   
4. Course 201B, The Significance of Blood in Criminal Investigations
   
5. Course 201D, Forensic Investigations Into Drugs and Alcohol
   
6. Course 201V, Document and Voice Examination
   
7. Course 201FT, Firearms, Toolmarks and Footwear Impressions
   
8. Course 201I, Investigating Forensic Science on the Internet

Individual forensic Science Courses
This option allows the student the opportunity for in-depth studies of topics of their choice. Students may choose any of the courses listed above.