Criminal Justice Awards Day

Criminal Justice Leadership Luncheon
Thur, April 28, 2011
11 A.M.
Flag Room
Criminal Justice Center

Join the faculty, staff and students of the College of Criminal Justice to recognize the 2011 Outstanding Alumnus, Craig Hemmens (Ph.D. 98), the 2011 Defensor Pacem Medal Recipient James F. Gaertner, President Emeritis, and Leaders of the Criminal Justice Student Organizations.

Criminal Justice Sundial Ceremony
Thur, April 28, 2011
1:30 P.M.
CJ Sundial
Criminal Justice Center

This ceremony, held at the south entrance of the Criminal Justice Center, commemorates criminal justice alumni and other law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The ceremony is open to the public.

Criminal Justice Honors Convocation
Thur, April 28, 2011
7 P.M.
CJ Auditorium
Criminal Justice Center

The College of Criminal Justice will recognize its most academically gifted students.

Farewell Ceremony for Second Chinese Cohort

Fri Apr 29, 2011
6 P.M.
Hazel Kerper Courtroom
Criminal Justice Center

A Farewell Ceremony and Reception will be held for the Second Cohort of the Sam Houston State University, College of Criminal Justice Police Education Exchange in the Courtroom Friday. The Chinese Police Cadets are from the Zhejiang Police College.

College Mourns Death of Alumnus Dr. Mike Blankenship

It is with great sadness that the Department of Criminal Justice at Boise State University announces the sudden passing of Dr. Michael Blankenship.

Regional Crime Lab Provides Testing for Synthetic Marijuana

The possession of or sale of synthetic marijuana substances became illegal in the State of Texas today. The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office will prosecute those offenders arrested for this crime after a laboratory analysis is done.

Students Learn about the Family Impact of Murder

A student comforts Birdie Jones, mother of Anthony Jones, who was killed by a drunken driver.

Family members who lost loved ones to murder shared their experiences with the criminal justice system before a packed house in the CJ Auditorium on March 29.

Alpha Phi Sigma Meeting

Wed April 20, 2011
5 P.M.
CJava Cafe
Criminal Justice Center

For more information, contact, Erin Stephens at ecs006@shsu.edu

Society of Forensic Science Meeting

Wed April 20, 2011
5:30 P.M.
Chemistry and Forensic Science Building
Room 103

Dr. Jeffrey K. Tomberlin, a Forensic Entomologist from Texas A & M University, will be the guest speaker.

Real Talk: Homeland Security Victim Assistance

Tue., April 19, 2011
2-3 P.M.
CJava Cafe

Tyeshia Miller-Williams is called in to assist victims of federal crimes, including human trafficking, child pornography, and cyber crime.

Houston Region is a Hub for Human Trafficking

Houston has one of the largest number of sexually-oriented businesses per square mile in the country, and victims of human trafficking can be found in big cities and small towns throughout the entire area and in all 50 states, prosecutors and advocates said at a recent “Hot Topics” event at Sam Houston State University.

CMIT Hosts Women in Criminal Justice Conference

The Correctional Management Institute of Texas recently offered a professional and personal development program for women working in the criminal justice system, including those in corrections, law enforcement, and courts.

The Art and Science of Forensic Sculpting

Amanda Danning shows the skull of a Mexico soldier killed in the Battle of San Jacino and a facial reconstruction in progress.

A Mexican soldier who died at the San Jacinto Battleground had his head bashed in with a rifle, but that’s not what killed him, a forensic sculptor told forensic science students during a demonstration and lecture.

Recent Publications by Faculty, Graduate Students and Alumni

Here is a list of recent publications by faculty, graduate students and alumni of Sam Houston State University, College of Criminal Justice.

Presentation on Facial Reconstruction

Photos courtesy of Amanda Danning and the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

Wed, April 13, 2011
10 A.M.
CJ Auditorium
Criminal Justice Center

Amanda Danning, a facial reconstructionist who works with the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., will do a presentation to Dr. Joan Bytheway's Forensic Anthropology class, followed by an actual reconstruction at Sam Houston Museum at noon. All are invited to attend.

Danning is working on a project reconstructing six skulls from the San Jacinto Battlefield. The reconstruction at the Sam Houston Museum will be from a soldier recovered from the Battlefield and will include the injuries sustained during the fight.

White Collar Crime Rampant in Drug Industry

Dr. John Braithwaite, founder of the Regulatory Institutions Network at Australian National University, said despite some short-lived reforms in the 1980s, corruption in the pharmaceutical industry continues to run rampant.

CJ Undergrads Can Pursue Degree Online

Sam Houston State University launched it first online, undergraduate degree program in criminal justice, putting core courses for a bachelor’s degree in reach of those with a computer.

Gangs Don’t Protect Against Crime

Gang members are twice as likely to be crime victims than non-gang members and are more frequently subject to simple assault, aggravated assault and drive by shootings, according to a recently study by the Crime Victims’ Institute at Sam Houston State University.

Wood Finds Career in Coffee and Crime

Steven Wood built his career in private security, topping it off as the senior manager of corporate investigations and analytics at Starbucks.

Dr. David Webb Moderates Human Trafficking Panel

Tues, April 12, 2011
7 to 9 P.M.
Lowman Student Center Theater

A panel of experts who have worked with legal issues and struggles facing trafficking victims will address “Human Trafficking: 21st Century Slavery In Texas” on Tuesday (April 12).

400 Attend Criminal Justice Career Fair

SHSU Seniors David Miniel (center) and Sebastian Mata (r) chat with the Texas Department of Public Safety during the Criminal Justice Career Fair.

Senior David Miniel wants to work for the Texas Department of Public Safety or U.S. Marshals Service. Criminal Justice Major Sebastian Mata is pursuing a career with the Houston Police Department or other local law enforcement agencies. Recent graduate Kendra Murphy is seeking a job in social work or counseling while she gets her master’s degree.

Chinese Police Cadets Sweep Research Awards

Chinese exchange students from the Zhejiang Police College swept the awards at the Undergraduate Research Conference at the College of Criminal Justice with research posters and papers studying emerging crime issues in the United States and their native country.

SHSU Grad Led Dallas Homeland Security Investigations

Nancy Kratzer, a 1979 SHSU alumnus, was only the second woman in the country to be hired as a federal agent with the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare Investigations Office and she was one of a handful of women who served as federal agents during that time.

As Kratzer continued her career, she rose to become the Deputy Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Dallas, an office that focuses on protecting the U.S. and promoting public safety.

CJ Students Get Real Talk on Cybercrime

Sgt. Gary Spurger (l) and Corp. Jeff Lee serve with the Cybercrime Unit at the Harris County Constable 4 Office.

The High Tech and Cyber Crime Unit at the Harris County Constable 4 Office arrests about 200 people a year for online child pornography, but the problem is so prevalent on the Internet that they could probably arrest 200 people a day.

Beto Chair Lecture: Dr. John Braithwaite

Thu April 7, 2011
9:30 - 11:00 A.M.
CJ Auditorium
Criminal Justice Center

Dr. John Braithwaite is an Australian Research Council Federation Fellow and Founder of RegNet (the Regulatory Institutions Network) at the Australian National University. He will discuss "Corporate Crime in the Pharmaceutical Industry Today."

Crime Victims Service Alliance Meeting

Wed, April 6, 2011
3 P.M.
Room A-185
Criminal Justice Center

Planning meeting for National Crime Victims' Rights Week (April 10-16).

Alpha Phi Sigma Meeting

Wed April 6, 2011
5 P.M.
CJava Cafe
Criminal Justice Center

For more information, contact, Erin Stephens at ecs006@shsu.edu

College of Criminal Justice 3rd Annual Undergraduate Research Conference

Wed Apr 6, 2011
George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center

Undergraduate students are invited to submit an original research poster or paper with the possibility of winning $500 in scholarships and be recognized at the annual Honors Convocation on April 28, 2011. Authorship is limited to undergraduates. Proposals are due December 1, 2010.

Society of Forensic Science Meeting

Wed April 6, 2011
5:30 P.M.
Chemistry and Forensic Science Building
Room 103

The featured speaker will be Deputy Brian Brawner of the Harris County Sheriff's Office, a full time officer and a member of the SWAT Team. He is assigned to the Bank Robbery Task Force.

Alumnus Endures Longest Prison Siege in U.S.

Wayne Scott shows a picture of the Walls Unit in 1974 during the prison siege.

Wayne Scott lived through the longest prison siege in U.S. history, and he had the bullet hole through his clothes to prove it.

Homeland Security Agent Speaks to Forensics Class

Fri., April 1, 2011
10 A.M.
CJ Auditorium

Nancy L. Kratzer Deputy Special Agent in Charge (Retired) Homeland Security Investigations Office of Special Agent in Charge U.S. Department of Homeland Security