Crime Science

Major overview

Study Australia’s only Crime Science major and investigate how crime is solved

Crime is complex and solving it requires more than instinct. The Crime Science major within our Bachelor of Criminology is the only major of its kind offered by an Australian university, combining criminology, behavioural analysis and investigative techniques to understand how crimes occur and how they can be solved or prevented.

You’ll dive into the science behind crime as you analyse criminal patterns, examine investigative strategies and explore how evidence, data and behavioural insights help investigators solve complex cases. Throughout your crime science major, you’ll build analytical and investigative skills while learning how crime prevention and investigation intersect across modern law enforcement and investigative practice.

Our strong connections with the Western Australian legal and forensic community bring industry insight directly into your studies. You’ll learn from criminologists and practitioners with real-world experience while building valuable professional connections with experts working across policing, forensics and the justice sector.

You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to real homicide and missing persons investigations through our Major Crimes Review initiative, analysing case information and open-source intelligence to uncover potential new leads. This unique experience allows you to apply your crime science skills to real cases while gaining insight into how complex investigations unfold.

Our flexible Bachelor of Criminology allows you to tailor your degree to your interests by combining this major in crime science with other majors such as Criminal Behaviour or Legal Studies, building a versatile skillset for diverse criminology careers.

Criminology student presenting data visualisation to a seminar group

3 reasons to study crime science at Murdoch University

Study Australia’s only Crime Science major, a unique criminology course combining behavioural analysis, investigation and crime prevention strategies.
Contribute to real homicide and missing persons investigations through our Major Crimes Review initiative, analysing case information and helping identify new investigative leads.
Build valuable industry connections through Murdoch’s close ties with the Western Australian legal and forensic community.

What you’ll learn

Analyse crime patterns and understand how environmental and behavioural factors influence criminal activity.
Examine forensic anatomy, anthropology and other forensic sciences used to interpret evidence in criminal investigations.
Apply crime prevention and investigative strategies used by law enforcement agencies to analyse crime problems and support investigations.
Evaluate forensic and investigative evidence used to solve criminal cases.
Use analytical and research methods to investigate complex crime problems.
Examine international and transnational crimes and how global criminal networks challenge modern investigations.
Understand how criminology, policing and forensic science work together within the criminal justice system.

I love the freedom to think and have opinions without criticism. The lecturers allow for discussion, understanding that everyone may have a different opinion, and allow for free-flowing conversation.

Ashlyn, Law & Criminology

Murdoch University law and criminology student in classroom

Law and criminology student presenting in front of digital map screen

Your future career in crime science

Put your analytical, investigative and research skills to work examining crime patterns, supporting complex investigations and developing strategies that help prevent crime. With our Crime Science major, you’ll develop the expertise needed to pursue a career in criminology, policing, intelligence or crime prevention.

Graduates can work across government agencies, law enforcement organisations, intelligence services, forensic units and criminal justice departments.

Potential roles include:

Crime analyst
Intelligence analyst
Criminologist
Police officer
Crime prevention officer
Criminal intelligence officer
Government policy adviser

For more details about our Crime Science major, download our information pack.

Start dates

Starting period	Location	Face to Face	Online	Mixed mode
Semester 1, 2026	Murdoch	Yes	No	No
Semester 2, 2026	Murdoch	Yes	No	No
Semester 1, 2027	Murdoch	Yes	No	No
Semester 2, 2027	Murdoch	Yes	No	No

View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.

Starting period	Location	Face to Face	Online	Mixed mode
Semester 1, 2026	Murdoch	Yes	No	No
Semester 2, 2026	Murdoch	Yes	No	No
Semester 1, 2027	Murdoch	Yes	No	No
Semester 2, 2027	Murdoch	Yes	No	No

View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.

Major Structure

Visit the Course Handbook - Get detailed information on units, prerequisites, and pathways.

To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.

Unit code	Unit name	Credit points

How to Apply

Majors are part of a degree and can't be applied on their own. Apply for a related degree first, then choose your major once enrolled.

Undergraduate Course

Bachelor of Criminology

Bachelor of Forensic Science

Study criminology and forensic science at Murdoch University and gain hands-on industry experience in crime science and forensic investigation. Apply now.

Code: B1431

Selection rank: 70

Undergraduate Course

Bachelor of Psychology

Bachelor of Criminology

Study psychology and criminology at Murdoch University. Gain an accredited psychology degree and explore crime, behaviour and justice systems. Apply now.

Code: B1416

Selection rank: 70

Undergraduate Course

Bachelor of Laws

Bachelor of Criminology

Study a law and criminology double degree and gain the skills to work across legal practice, law enforcement and justice-related fields. Apply today.

Code: B1346

Selection rank: 90