Conducting Homicide Investigations

Conducting Homicide Investigations

This course will cater to all levels of expertise in the audience and can be adapted in the classroom for multiple levels of experience and understanding.

Training Goals and Objectives

The goal of the training program is to acquaint the novice investigator with all facets of death investigation, including the esoteric terminology that is unique to homicide cases. Attendees will become familiar with the indicators of suspicious death and learn just how equivocal the death scene can be. They will also become confident in assessing the crime scene and determining what type of action should be taken through the prioritization of viable leads.

The course is designed to enable the investigator to immediately interpret what he sees, the moment he walks onto the crime scene, and to derive from that knowledge an analytical approach to the investigation. All areas of the investigative process crucial to the successful conclusion of the case will be examined and discussed thoroughly. Actual real-life examples will help the investigator become acquainted with forensic concepts not familiar to the beginner, such as lividity, rigor mortis, algor mortis, decomposition, ante mortem and postmortem trauma, etc. There is a heavy emphasis on wound recognition, modes of death, and what to look for at the autopsy.

Training Audience, Format and Content

This course is intended for detectives newly-assigned to homicide duties, experienced death investigators seeking alternate perspectives, or detectives and uniform personnel desirous of entering the field of death investigations. Crime scene technicians, medical examiner/coroner investigators, supervisors, military investigators, criminal analysts, and prosecuting attorneys would also benefit from the training.

This course is most successful when taught to audiences of 50 officers or fewer, but has also been given to larger groups and received highly complimentary reviews. The smaller groups are conducive to more open interaction and allow officers to discuss specific investigative issues.

The course is designed in 3 day sessions. Instruction is provided through the use of a PowerPoint presentation that makes liberal use of authentic crime scene photographs. This insures that the topics discussed are portrayed as realistically as possible. Numerous handouts and video tapes are used as instructional aids. The course is generally designed to run from 0830 to 1630 hours daily, but can be manipulated for evenings and extended days as needed.

Daily content and course schedule/agenda:

Day One:
Manner of Death (Natural, Accidental, Suicide & Homicide)
Equivocal Death
Infant Death (SIDS & Child Abuse)
Death by Poisoning
Asphyxiation / Suffocation / Drowning
Electrocutions / Lightning Strikes
Fire Death
Comprehensive Examination of Suicide
Autoerotic Death

Day Two:
Types of Homicide (Murder, Manslaughter, Excusable, Justifiable, etc.)
The Homicide Crime Scene (Mincey vs. Arizona, DNA, Blood Spatter, etc.)
Establishing the Time of Death (Algor Mortis, Livor Mortis & Rigor Mortis)
Identifying the Victim
Notifying the Next of Kin
The Autopsy
Modes of Death (Blunt Force Trauma, Stabbing, Gunshot Wounds, etc.)
Dealing With the Media

Day Three:
Decomposition (Autolysis / Putrefaction, Adipocere & Mummification)
Skeletal Remains
In-depth Examination of Gunshot Wounds (Contact, Intermediate & Distant)
Stabbing / Cutting / Chopping Wounds
Strangulation / Asphyxiation (Petechia & Hyoid)
Pattern Injuries
Defensive Wounds
The Area Canvass
Courtroom Presentation
Case Studies

There are no pre-requisites to this course. Students should be forewarned that the content of this course contains numerous death scene photographs that are highly graphic and intense. Due to the sensitive nature of this material, attendance is restricted to sworn law enforcement personnel, or those directly involved in the criminal justice system.

Evaluation

The evaluation process will consist of class participation and active involvement in open case review.

Limitations / Special Needs: None

Any audio/visual or POSTC/Academy facility or staff needs will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, but might include the use of an electronic projection unit, VCR, audio or marker board materials.

This course is recognized by various POST / POSTC organizations including: South Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, California, Montana, Minnesota, Delaware, Tennessee, North Carolina, Kansas, Arkansas, South Carolina, Idaho, and Utah

Student Materials: None

Evaluations of Past Courses

Evaluations of past presentations are available upon request if this material and telephonic interviews are not satisfactory. In addition, we are happy to provide the names of references from all across America to assist you in your decision.