Paradise Valley Community College is excited to announce the addition of Bootsie (Liz) Martínez R. as incoming program director for Administration of Justice. Martínez joins PVCC from our sister school, Mesa Community College. In addition to having a background in teaching, she is also a published author and editor of non-fiction and fiction books and short stories, as well as an expert witness on a plethora of topics including forensic linguistics; organized retail crime (ORC); fraudulent, foreign and non-regionally accredited nursing schools; and Native American law enforcement.
Martínez is planning to expand the program’s reach amongst students who associate a degree in criminal justice with only three main areas – cops, courts, and corrections. But the “3C’s” incorporate many more career opportunities, including crime scene investigation, forensic science, homeland security, counter-terrorism, victim services, court personnel, private security and more. Martínez plans to provide guest panels, field trips, conferences, live events, and a student club to increase student awareness of these opportunities.
“We provide a lot of options for our AJS students involving hands-on experiences investigating mock crime scenes, creating search warrants, making field trips to courts and correctional facilities, and welcoming guest speakers,” says Martínez. “People who are drawn to the criminal justice field are action-oriented. They learn best by doing, and AJS students have the opportunity to actively practice the skills they’ll need to know once they’re on the job.”
The AJS program offers two associate degrees – Justice Studies and Forensic Science – as well as a variety of Certificate of Completion (CCL) options, including Corrections, Law Enforcement, Legal Studies, Victimology, Fingerprint Identification and Photography, and Crime Scene Investigation.
CSI Day at PVCC: Everyone is Invited!
During the Fall 2022 semester, PVCC is hosting a free CSI Day on Saturday, November 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the main campus’ Forensics Lab, located in building Q, Room 404. Kids and adults are invited to come learn what it’s like to work a crime scene investigation with exciting, real-life experiences. Hands-on sessions in fingerprinting, insects, and digital forensics/cybercrime will take place, as well as demonstrations with K-9 units and a crime scene van. Additionally, The Real Crime Scene Investigators of Phoenix will participate in a panel discussion at noon. Attendance is free, but advance registration is requested at tinyurl.com/CSIDayPVCC.
Learn More
As the semester gets underway, keep an eye out for additional hands-on events, excursions and more. Contact Martínez at Bootsie.Martinez@paradisevalley.edu for more information on the program, certifications, and events.